Dust / Dirt covers for layout

[StewRRFan]

I am starting construction of a larger layout and need some input.  Ideally, I would have a drop ceiling installed prior to construction but that is not going to happen.  Does the group have any suggestions for an easy to put on/take off cover for the layout?  Is it as simple as a light-weight dust cover?

Thanks in advance. - Ross

[mightypurdue22]

The only time I've covered my layout was when we were having some major work done in our basement.  I covered the layout with a lightweight, clear plastic drop cloth that I cut to fit.  Probably is a good concept to cover it after each use, especially in my basement.  But that's quite a hassle not to mention risking pulling or knocking something off in the process of removing the cover.

Dave

[craigolio1]

I will be in the same situation as you. I plan to use the afore mentioned light plastic drop sheets and staple them to the ceiling to prevent dust falling everywhere.

My layout will be a multi deck layout with a valance over the top deck and I plan to use dollar store plastic party table cloths cut to fit with magnets to attach them to the valance so they'll drape down in front and cover the decks below.

Craig

[emaley]

I bought some parachute cloth off the net and made a cover for a small layout. I have a St Bernard that sheds constantly and needed something lightweight to get at least some protection. It can be found in several wicths and is pretty cheap. You can even use fabric glue to hem the cut ends. Very lightweight too. I used dowels glued to the cut ends to add a bit of weight to keep it from flying away. The dowels also make it easy to lift off the layout, although it is so light it will slide right off. I bought 36" width, and I think they also had 60".

[LV LOU]

I had a 12X6 L shaped layout in my last house.I wanted to cover it,but I thought a big cover for the whole thing was just asking for trouble.I used some lightweight black vinyl,and cut it into smaller sections that were easily handled to cover it.I had a large roundhouse,it had it's own separate cover,since I didn't always cover the whole thing,but the roundhouse was always covered unless I was running..

[C855B]

We asked "the dust question" when Robyn and I were treated to a manager's tour of the Greeley display layout. I think Robyn put it, "How do you dust the scenery?" The answer was "We don't!"

Take aways: 1) they did not cover the layout, which would be completely impractical, and 2) they did not dust anything other than rolling stock. Their facility was a new, clean building. After five years of operation I didn't really notice anything telling that there was a dust issue, although I would expect it may be an issue another five years from now.

The bottom line is dust control in the first place. With the building pretty close to sealed-up, I have been testing a positive-pressure solution. At the moment the testing is with fans, but I'm looking at the possibility of setting up the HVAC in our layout building for positive pressure. This could be as simple as drawing intake air from exterior sources with the existing air handler and filter setup, then configuring the blower for higher default speeds.

[LV LOU]

We asked "the dust question" when Robyn and I were treated to a manager's tour of the Greeley display layout. I think Robyn put it, "How do you dust the scenery?" The answer was "We don't!"

Take aways: 1) they did not cover the layout, which would be completely impractical, and 2) they did not dust anything other than rolling stock. Their facility was a new, clean building. After five years of operation I didn't really notice anything telling that there was a dust issue, although I would expect it may be an issue another five years from now.

The bottom line is dust control in the first place. With the building pretty close to sealed-up, I have been testing a positive-pressure solution. At the moment the testing is with fans, but I'm looking at the possibility of setting up the HVAC in our layout building for positive pressure. This could be as simple as drawing intake air from exterior sources with the existing air handler and filter setup, then configuring the blower for higher default speeds.

I think dust problems are simply a matter of environment.In a building with no internal sources,dust isn't a problem.If a railroad is in an environment with no dust,dusting isn't needed.What are those "sources"? Fur bearing animals are a huge source of dust.I have three big dogs,we have to vacuum constantly.Both people and animals lose skin every day,that makes up most of the dust in your house.You change your skin something like every 28 days,so every 28 days,your entire outsides are ejected into your environment..I was in a totally enclosed, full leg cast for 16 weeks once,broke my Achilles tendon.When the cast came off,there had to be a coffee can full of dead skin in it.
 Living in an area where it's dusty outside is bad,also.Living on a main road with a lot of traffic doesn't help.I keep the door to my train room closed all the time,it has it's own heat and air.It also has an air cleaner running in it,this helps tremendously..My RR is pretty much dust free,even though the rest of the house is a disaster..