I am planning a display of most of my models that will be not running on the lay-out. I am thinking about self-contructing it with five different levels, a nice neon light for illumination etc. and to hang them on the wall along the lay-out. Ideally, I would find some of those furniture tracks where you can slide a glass door on so that I can protect the models from dust.

I want to use a "cheap" HO track since it will only be a display.

Q1: any suggestion as tp which track to buy? Piko?

Q2: has anyone build such displays? suggestions?

I kept my old straight Märklin M track for the display cabinet - matches the older models nicely. If you don't have that, then the cheapest per linear length may be good but....

you may have some digital trains that you would want to also power in the display cabinet - interior lighting etc... and that would call for 3 - rail track...

also another idea, if you are making the cabinet yourself is to cut a groove in the wooden shelf, just the right width, and let that be the built in track. The cost of a dado blade top do this may be met by the cost saving of not having to buy any track...

I used an old computer punch card cabinet, turned it 90° sideways and removed the old middle shelf. See http://layout.mixmox.com/1/train_display
I attached a perspex/plexiglass cover to the front to keep out dust. Just realized this was about 22 years ago !

If you do make your own cabinets, make long ones rather than short ones with more shelves. Trains are long linear things and look better that way IMHO

Edited by user 08 December 2010 01:04:46(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Great idea about having powered track in the display.
Eric

Will it not damage/deform the traction-tires, if the models are standing still on a track during longer periods?

My display has glas shelves.
I have glued rail profiles directly on the shelf using doublesided selloptape.
This lasts extremely long. I have made the display in 1985. Sofar I have renewed only small parts on some of the shelfs.
The profiles are connected to power. Hence I can switch lighting of the trains in the display and even run them.
In the weekend I will make some pictures.

A picture of my display, dating from the moment when I build it.
The bottom shelf is the frame of display. Here I have track in ballast.
The shelfs are 6 mm glas.
For a test I have placed K-track. Notice the ugly shadows of the slepers on the middle shelf on the picture.
The top shelf on the picture has track profile directly glued on the glas.
This is done by double sided sellotape.
Power to the rail profiles via metal strips in the grove that supports the shelf.
My display is in use now over 25 years.
The sellotape last extremely long. Sofar I have renewed some small parts on a few shelves.
A benefit of having only rail profiles is that the underside of coaches and engines is visible.
When you want to know more, do not hesitate to ask.