Large Scale Central

Sun and rain shield for freight yard?

Problem Solving
#1

When I rebuilt my main outside layout I included a freight yard that turned out to be in direct sunlight all day.

At the time this did not seem to be a problem but looking back I think that is the main reason I have used that freight yard very little.

On the caboose layout I built a freight shed which works fine because I can switch the cars while standing over the shed with the roof up.

Unfortunately even inside the shed (which is protected from sun and rain) I still get some rust on the metal wheels so I only put unimportant cars in that shed.

The problem with the freight yard in question is that I would like to be able to leave freight cars in it for several days at a time in good weather but have them protected from the UV of sunlight and from an occasional afternoon shower.

A shed or a roof that was not transparent would prevent me from seeing the cars inside the shed so that I could remotely move cars or trains in and out.

About the only solution that I can think of would be a raised roof that is low enough to protect the freight yard from sun and rain but high enough that I could see what is parked in the freight yard.

This may be more trouble than it is worth but perhaps someone has resolved this issue elsewhere and can share what they did.

Thanks,

Jerry

#2

Jerry, Most of my railroad is in direct sunlight… We have bought a few Pop-up canopies to use to get shade when we opperate… Heights can be adjusted… Something that can be elft out in good weather, and brought in in bad weather… They aren’t that expensive and are more stable than an umbrella…

#3

Hi Andy,

For whatever reasons we occasionally get very strong winds & up drafts here.

I built a single then doubled it to two tent style gazebos for the caboose layout. They were destroyed by rain, wind, water and ice or snow so often I gave up on replacing them. Now the pieces flop in the winds.

I once bought a pop up canopy for our upper deck and it was destroyed in less than two weeks by strong winds (no rain, ice or anything).

I think it has to do with us being on a hill and the valley somehow causes the winds.

Thanks,

Jerry

#4

If it’s that windy, that often, then the only other way to go, would be to plant trees for shade, or built a structural cover for the yard… I don’t leave our pop-ups out all the time, I only put them up when we’re running trains… These popups now, only take a couple of minutes for 2 people to setup or takedown…

In my mind, these popups are only meant as temporary structures, not to be left up all the time…

you asked for ideas, I just tried to supply some…

Good luck…

#5

Hi Andy,

I DO appreciate ALL suggestions whether they can work for me or not.

When I built the layouts I was younger and in better health. Whatever solutions I come up with have to be things I can do without assistance from anyone else.

It might be possible to use some left over framework and tarps from broken gazebos to come up with some sort of permanent cover that may be hinged to raise up when in use.

Please keep the ideas coming.

Jerry

#6

I don’t recall the name of the product but I use a plastic sheeting they use for patio covers and made lift up covers as well they are transparent so you can see inside. Also uv resistant. Later RJD

#7

Hi RJ,

Both transparent and UV resistant?

If you find the name of it I would appreciate it if you post it.

Thanks,

Jerry

#8

Jerry McColgan said:
Hi RJ, Both transparent and UV resistant? If you find the name of it I would appreciate it if you post it. Thanks, Jerry

I have a breezeway roofed over with a corrugated polycarbonate product purchased at my local Home Depot - can’t remember the name, but I know it’s imported from Israel and - the shady light comes through and it’s very pleasant. The stuff is a kind of charcoal grey, incredibly tough and totally UV resistant. More expensive than a tarp. Permanent. attached with screws. Well worth the price, I thought. You will need a frame - probably post and beam. I hired a guy to build the framework under mine, which lean-tos out from the south side of the house.

I built it to take rainwater away from the house and to provide shade on our interlock patio on that side. I’ve made a lot of improvements around here over the years. That roof wasn’t the most expensive one, but it is certainly the best of them all.

The breezeway has become a favourite spot around here. For a couple of years I set up a 40 fooy long temporary switching pike under it. It was great - I could run trains in any weather! The breezeway runs east-west, so it used to get breezy alright. I have have a couple of cedar trees at the west end that cut off the winds, and they work great summer and winter. I planted them maybe fifteen years ago when they were only 2-3 feet tall, now the are fully mature, they just got trimmed and cut back to fifteen feet high.

I think of all the advice you got here, the trees for a windbreak are maybe the best! You’ll get some shade from them too. Plant some now and in 5-10 years you’ll be very glad you did!

#9

I found a poly carbonate roof panel in Lowe’s called Ondura. Comes in many colors and clear.

http://ondura.com/

#10

Ondura is actually a corrugated asphalt material. It looks much like corrugated metal roofing, only not as durable. I only know this because I just finished building a roofed deck and decided against Ondura after I actually handled a piece of it in person. Wimpy stuff. I wouldn’t recommend it. However, the company that manufactures Ondura also makes a panel called Tuftex. Tuftex is made of polycarbonate. Not that it matters but, I went with a standing seam type metal roof (not the real standing seam like in the old days, but the look of a standing seam roof). It was comparable in price to Ondura and about a million times stronger. The panels are factory cut to your exact dimensions. Surprisingly, it was real light in weight and very easy to do. I don’t know if this info helps or not, just my 2 cents…

-Kevin.

#11

Hi Kevin! Lotsa’ polycarbonate fans here… great stuff. The stuff I used has that standing seam type profile as well. Now, not to hijack this thread - but you and your lovely missus must plan on coming up for the Invasion next year! You’ll have a great time…

#12

John- We’ll certainly give it the old college try!

-Kevin.