Basic Box Construction

This page gives a very simple outline of how the boxes have been made.

It concentrates in general, on a single oval box. End to End boxes are a little more forgiving regards sizes etc.

Obviously I'm not about to give all the 'secrets' away! However, the points below should give anyone thinking of 'having a go' a good start...

• Before a box file layout can be made an amount of planning is required, but before that an idea is needed!
• Oval layouts require a box at least 10.5" depth. Standard foolscap boxes are too narrow.
• Each box has a base fitted, using 5mm foam board.
• I use Kato track (from Japan), 117mm radius curves, the smallest radius available
• Power enters the box via the rear using banana sockets, from these wires go to the track
• 12v Analogue controllers are used with banana plugs fitted for connection to the box
• The track is glued onto the foam board.
• A background picture is fitted to the lid and back wall.

That's it! What you do with it from now on is up to you! Hills, houses. trees, roads......

What Locos And trucks?

• With an oval, you can only use very short wheel based locomotives and wagons.... The Flying Scotsman is definitely off the menu!
• 03/04 Shunters work well.
• The Kato Pocketline series is very good for these box files, and very affordable.
• Small short wagons only!

End-To-End Boxes

• The method used for End-To-End (joined) boxes is pretty much the same, but here you can use the more economical foolscap boxes and standard N Gauge Peco track.

The Moor Boxes Golden Rule: If you do 'have a go' after reading all this, you have to send me a photo of what you made!!

Just one more thing... Please, don't copy like-for-like any of the boxes I have made, those designs are mine!. I took a lot of time thinking them through. Half the fun is designing your own anyway. For clarity, perhaps check 'The Legal Bit'