Glenn Snyder Display Shelves

John,

I have quite a bit of Glenn's shelves.  Perfect!  Easy installation, easy to clean.  I prefer his finish, a satin appearance.  Rail Raxx is very bright and shiny and is essentially the same thing.  I believe they were partners at one point, Glenn stayed in upstate NY and Rail Raxx moved to the west coast.

Paul Edgar

Rail Rax (only one X) and Glenn Snyder shelves are identical except for the finish. I prefer Rail Rax because the shiny finish is more reflective, illuminating the contents of the next shelf down. Rail Rax was the original product; as I understand it, Glenn Snyder was an employee or partner of Rail Rax who decided to leave the company and set up shop in New York.  

With either product, you have to drill the mounting holes yourself. The best thing to do is locate the studs in the wall, then mark the mounting holes so the screws will go into the studs. Start at the bottom and locate each shelf with spacer blocks from the shelf below - that way you are sure they will be parallel. I used a laser level to level the first tier of shelves.

Here are some photos of 0 and Standard Gauge trains displayed on Rail Rax. The first arrangement (2 pictures) shows the normal way of organizing the shelves. The third picture shows a shelf arrangement that allows for a piece of art or other display at each end of the other shelves. I did this because there was an electrical box cover that would have interfered with full-length shelves, but I like the way it came out. The upper shelves are actually centered, although they don't have to be. The perspective of the photo makes them look off-center.

For a small fee, he will cut the shelving to the lengths you may need. 

Installation instructions  from the  Glenn Snyder's website.  

I have used both through the years. Rail Rax did not respond the last couple of times I needed some so I went with Snyder. Is Rail Rax still doing business? The extra shipping to the west coast for the Snyder orders was a killer. Both are great.

Steve

I have some and I like them, but before you buy them, put a level across your wall and make sure that your wall is straight, or at least nearly straight. Otherwise you're going to have to use washers to space the shelf out so that the shelf stays straight. If you over tighten the shelf to an uneven wall, then it warps the shelf.  

Once installed, they look great. 

If your walls are real bad, then I would consider something that mounts on an independent bracket, or have someone fix your drywall. I put mine up with lots of washers and some long screws. Havent had a problem with them holding anything I've put on them.

A great product......Once I paint the basement, I plan to get more.

Peter

I use Glenn's shelves. Look great, easy to install, hardy...

I also purchased his end caps. As a result, I did my own cutting and  any defect or not perfect cut was hidden by the cap and how far you push it onto the shelf (self adjusting so to speak).  Terry

I've used the Glenn Snyder shelves for many years and I've purchased more as time and space has allowed. If you plan on attending York, it is a real advantage to contact Glenn in advance with your order and any special cutting requirements in order to save the shipping costs.

Eric Hofberg

I choose Glenn Synder shelves due to the quality of the product, ease of mounting, and the semi glossy appearance rather then the chrome like shine of the "other" shelves ...

Edit Add ELFA Shelving Installation instructions.   Note ELFA Shelving reference in this thread.

Installation instructions Glenn Snyder Shelving. . Each shelf has the ability to support a lot of weight. Use the #10 X1 1/2" screws/properly installed in the center of each wall stud (4) minimum per (6ft section, studs 2 ft centers.)

O-scale track from the website  $2.50/ft (6 ft sections).  plus shipping. Cuts (to length) are $1 each.  Shipping of cuts includes the scrap.

Edit add Showcase express   One shelf (4 ft)length enclosed  $20/ft   (4) shelves enclosed (4ft)length  $17.18/ft.  Add shipping.

GSDS.com

Installation Instructions

Glenn Snyder Display Systems are easy to install. You

will need the following tools: An electric drill, 1/8" and

3/16" drill bits, a level, #10 x 1-1/2" round head, pan

head or truss head sheet metal screws for each stud

and spacing blocks. Spacing blocks should be as high

as the distance between the shelves, generally between

5-1/2" or 6" for O gauge. Studs are usually located 16" or 24" apart on

center. Electrical outlets are generally attached to the side of a stud, which

is the easiest way to locate one, or may be found with a magnetic stud

finder.

Installation Instructions: Using the level, draw a line where you would like

the bottom shelf to be located. Locate the studs along this line. Mark the

stud spacing and transfer the marks to the back of the shelf. Using the

3/16"drill bit, drill clearance holes in the shelf from the back, using the

groove to locate the tip of the drill bit. Using the1/8" drill bit, drill pilot holes

in the studs and fasten your shelf with the #10x1-1/2" long sheet metal

screws. (We use them instead of wood screws as they are threaded to the

top of the screw giving them more fastening power.) Once the bottom shelf

is fastened, place the spacing blocks on the top of the rails, equal distance

apart. Place the next shelf on top of the blocks and mark where each

fastener hole is to be drilled. Remove the shelf, drill the holes in the shelf

and in the studs and attach the second shelf. Continue installing the

shelving by using the spacing blocks until installation is complete.

Use of Connecting Pins: On walls where longer shelves are needed or

uneven areas, use the connecting pins that are supplied. Tap ends of pins

open with a center punch or similar tool. Slide one end onto a rail and

gently tap it with a hammer until the pin is all the way on the rail. Take the

second shelf and locate the open end of the pin on the Corresponding rail.

Tap the pin halfway back until the two shelves meet, then fasten the shelf

to the wall. If your walls are uneven, place screws through washers where

needed between the shelf and the wall until the shelving remains straight

when the screws are tightened.

I have a couple of the Glenn Synder shelves. One of them is holding my standard gauge State set, so you know it's strong.

I had a couple of the Glenn Snyder shelves. Bought them at York in October. Currently they are residing in a landfill, somewhere.

7 Cases of Natty Boh beer  ...no problem

2 GGD N&W Heavyweights  ....no problem

2 Weaver cars ....no problem

1 Atlas Boxcar  ....no problem

2 Glenn Snyder shelves .... the wife hit the stinking roof ! Still no explanation. 

Gilly

Still stacking my engines in the cartons.

I love it Gilly. Now you have the answer.

Go out and buy some really great stuff and 2 Glenn Snyder shelves (I like him and his shelves). The wife will make you trash Glenn's shelves and allow you to keep the great stuff. Save the shelves for the next time. Then go out and buy some more great stuff. You've still got the 2 Glenn Snyder shelves. Take them home and repeat the process.

Gerry

PS  Scott, maybe you can learn from this. It must be an N&W thing.

Might work except I really don't still have them. I'm not the one who trashed them..... and they're really gone; $45 right down the toilet.

Nice shelves, but I'm looking for either a glass enclosed shelving unit or even maybe a long individual covered display unit (like for on a mantle) that would house maybe a larger standard gauge train up to maybe 7 or 8 feet in length.

Anyone have any ideas on that? Just want a covered display to keep the dust out.

John,

I used a "hanging" shelving system to display my trains.  The brand I used was "elfa" but other manufacturers make similar systems which you can buy at Lowes, Home Depot, etc.  The chief advantages of hanging shelving systems are that you don't need to bolt each shelf to the wall along the entire length of the shelf.  Rather, you only need to bolt a single supporting "track" just below the ceiling on your wall, then hang vertical "standards" from the track, slip horizontal "brackets" into the standards, and finally lay your wooden shelves over those brackets.  Installation is quick and easy and the system allows you to quickly change the spacing of your shelves if ever you need to.  Futhermore, with this system you don't create holes all over your walls that need patching should you need to change the spacing of your shelves or remove them.   

Below is a picture that Arno took of my "Milwaukee Road Shrine" in Vienna, VA.  I created it at my old home using the elfa hanging shelf system.  I look forward to creating a much bigger Milwaukee Road shrine here in Arkansas.

Bob

Used both Glenn Snyder and Rail Rax for my display.

Both are good products but I have to give the edge to Glenn Synder's product which has a smoother satiny finish.  Also go with the end caps.

George

Built a box cabinet out of reclaimed old wood and installed 3' lengths of snyder metal

 The price is not bad and they are sellable. Most shelving home built will probably end up in a dumpster some day.

 I like the way they disappear so that the trains are highlighted.

 Here is my photo for the thread.

I used a combination of the Rail Rax and Glenn Synder shelves. RR went out of business so we don't have a choice now, but they are the same except for the finish. I have 2 walls filled with the 6' versions and also paid the extra $1 for a few cut sections as well. They are pretty simple and look great.

I agree, ideally the trains would be enclosed to keep the dust off them.  I found shelves that do this at Showcase Express but they are quite expensive and I'm not sure the sizing is ideal.

http://www.showcase-express.co...augeDisplayCase.aspx 

John.

Point noted.  My wife supplied these tools.  With a small amount of compressed air may be twice a year I dust things down.  The HVAC system also has a very good filter replaced once a year.

Comparison open shelving, GSDS $2.50/ft.  Enclosed shelving Showcase Express $20/ft.    

Got the Snyder shelves and been very happy with them.  I saw his ad in a 1999 CTT.  Prices are the same as today!!  I used Lionel bumpers instead of end caps.  Easy to install and look good.  I got a feather duster off ebay for 3 bucks to keep the display clean.