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 Posted - July 10 2010 : 10:20:30 AM
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last night construction came to a screeching halt when after putting up the first frame i realized I'd never be able to reach across a 4 ft span.
Right now it's 4 ft high. I could make it 3 ft but still can't reach across. I really don't want to leave an aisle in the back as i will then lose sq feet and i wanted to paint scenery on the walls.
The table in the picture is 4x7. I intended to have another running 90 degrees 4x6. I was going to cut in 1 foot by 2 ft where the L meets but still won't be able to reach across.
Reducing widths means no 22 in radius
I see so many 4 x 8 layouts, how do people deal with access.
Trap doors might be an option.
I plan to have an elevated track maybe 2 running the length of the 10 ft along the wall. Maybe part of it inside a mountain.
The attached layout is just a start. Where the track crosses in the middle would be over pass
I even thought of casters and rolling out when necessary..
Then there is the body harness and sky hook attached to the ceiling
your help and input greatly appreciated
fred
 
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Posted - July 10 2010 : 10:34:54 AM
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| My layout is a similar shape, but I have room to walk all around it. You could move it away from the wall a foot or so, and nail on a short backdrop that you can paint.
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Posted - July 10 2010 : 10:50:34 AM
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quote:| ...when after putting up the first frame i realized I'd never be able to reach across a 4 ft span. |
There's always those reachy grabbers sold in stores. Either hard plastic fingers, or rubber discs on the ends , $10-20. My train club has one ( I donated it ), and it's come in very handy since our layout at many points is 6-8' deep.
quote: I really don't want to leave an aisle in the back as i will then lose sq feet
...(1) Trap doors might be an option.
....(2) I even thought of casters and rolling out when necessary..
...(3) Then there is the body harness and sky hook attached to the ceiling
your help and input greatly appreciated
fred
Originally posted by derfberger - July 10 2010 : 10:20:30 AM
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You forgot (4) holding the child outstretched over the layout, while your arms tremble and tick after 20 seconds....
Anyway, 1/trap doors is a good option, although for a 4-foot space, that may be overkill.
2/casters is good, although you'll then need to spend extra $'s on the bracing to prevent layout flex while rolling an L-shaped layout around. Since your layout is not too huge, this can be a viable option. Just costs more for GOOD casters ( not the little dinky 1" wheels, you need 3 or 4 inch wheels on Heavy duty casters to take the weight of the layout. Don't skimp here! )
3/skyhook, well, they make handicapped ceiling rail to help paraplegics get into bed, tubs,etc. so this MAY be an option, albeit expensive. Would be fun to see you do it! Don't think your wife will like THAT expense, though! A CHEAPER alternative might be to steal one of those Amusement center crane games, where you deposit quarters and spend $30 trying to win a .99 cent stuffed animal. Just have the claw come down out of the ceiling to pick up your derailed rolling stock. Of course, the consequent drop into the receiving bin may negate any monetary savings you had over the Paraplegic rail system. Maybe some foam in the bin will help....
4/holding squirmy child, well, we know when you finally let go and drop, you'll have modeled
a weather phenomena known as the Microburst, because everything under it will be flattened. Good for a one-time creative "burst" of scenery change. 
Most home layouts I've seen, they leave room behind, but since you don't have that much space, I'd say either roll-out or an extension grabber may be your best options. A small portable 3-foot stool is also a viable alternative, IF you design in hand-placement areas on the layout so you can bend over, put your hand on that one (supported by design underneath) spot to reach to the furthest corner. Just watch out for microbursts! 
That ladder can go skidding out from under you at any time.
Oh, <edit> , I forgot 5/mechanics engine bay cradle. I've seen them somewhere, they make a rig where the auto mechanic is laying on a cradle stretched out over the engine bay so he can work on the back part of the engine, without touching the car or leaning on the engine. I think it's designed like an engine hoist, so you'd have to have clearance under the layout for the legs to roll under it. Would make it very easy to work for long periods of time on your layout at the back parts, unless you have to keep getting up for detail items. LOL.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
Edited by - AMC_Gremlin_GT on July 10 2010 11:00:29 AM
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Posted - July 10 2010 : 11:42:09 AM
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You are dealing with the same thing my planned layout brings. Mine will be 8 feet wide and at least 12 feet long. I believe the 3 foot high table will allow me to reach the center of the layout since I am tall. But I know some detailing will be difficult in some areas. It's a must for me to leave room on both sides of my layout...
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
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Posted - July 10 2010 : 5:18:36 PM
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If that is the size of the frame work, put some wheels on it and pull it out when you run it, or work on it.
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Posted - July 11 2010 : 3:16:12 PM
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thanks all
looks like either wheels or trap doors or both
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Posted - July 11 2010 : 3:40:31 PM
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well i want back down in the basement and put our 4 ft step stool up against the frame.
If i dig my toes in i can reach across the 4 ft. For most needs this will work assuming my feet don't slip out from me and i put my head through the foam. . putting trains back from a derail will be a challenge as I'm all thumbs when it comes to re railing.
The kid idea isn't a bad one.
There are a couple in the neighborhood i'd like to take a handfull of hair and with the other
the seat of the pants and hold them off the ground
will up date as i progress
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Posted - July 11 2010 : 4:52:43 PM
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It looks like you could modify the layout a bit by making the curve keep on curving more at the L and then curve back. You could then cut a notch out at that point. I don't know how much you could gain but maybe just enough?
~CamdenLine
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Posted - July 13 2010 : 12:42:55 PM
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The layout with problems.
* first this layout shouldn't have problums
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on July 13 2010 7:49:14 PM
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Posted - July 13 2010 : 1:35:53 PM
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| What is under that stairway? If there is a storage space, can you cut access panels or doors in the wall? Anyone remember "Laugh In?"
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Posted - July 13 2010 : 9:39:09 PM
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| I'm going with casters, all kinds and weight capacities at H D. Should easily roll out when required
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Posted - July 17 2010 : 10:19:11 PM
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ready to lay track but first will paint green and earth tones with Home Depot paint mistakes. $5.00 a gallon can't miss if you find the right color. Once i have the layout nailed will come back with fields of flowers, flowing streams and pristine lakes
As soon as i saw the bed casters i knew i had the answer. Incredably easy to move away from the wall.
The height right now is 4ft 4 in. I was debating to cut down to 3 ft as a bit high for grand kids to enjoy. The first time i had to "crab crawl" under the table to add a brace i knew it will stay at the present height. At 3 feet i'd need a auto dolly to run wire etc. Kids will have stools to view
One question. For Those of you who have worked with foam. I want to do a rough layout and play around before permanent glue down.
What do you use to attach track to the foam? I tried brads but they don't hold. Ideally a long barbed pin small enough to go through track hole.
thanks all
fred in MI
P S i should have known, should have known. Solvent based liquid nail is not to be used with foam. I caught it after the first piece and now have a bunch of hollow places under the foam with blobs of liquid nail/foam mix. Finished up with water base caulk/adhesive
any water based cement will work
P S S a pic of some of my garage sale/bartering collection so far 
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Posted - July 17 2010 : 10:26:20 PM
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That big CSX is cool
Walt
Luck, usually comes dressed in work clothes...
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Posted - July 17 2010 : 10:29:30 PM
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| yes but as a neophite didn't realize i'm limited to 18 in or more when i got it as part of the house sale. will have to keep it to the outside tracks and out of the switch yard which will have 16 radius
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steve
Big Six
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Posted - July 17 2010 : 11:32:21 PM
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| did you say bed casters? I think you need something heavier and more reliable. Use shopping cart casters like bubbles does!!!!!
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Posted - July 18 2010 : 10:15:24 AM
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quote:That big CSX is cool
Originally posted by walt - July 17 2010 : 10:26:20 PM
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Yup, I have a similar one,looks like either a Dash 8-40cw or a C44-9W, not close enough shot for me to tell.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 18 2010 : 2:33:31 PM
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quote:did you say bed casters? I think you need something heavier and more reliable. Use shopping cart casters like bubbles does!!!!!
Originally posted by steve - July 17 2010 : 11:32:21 PM
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the weight per leg of my layout is 12 pounds, far less than a king bed with mattress.
So far they roll quite easily
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Posted - July 18 2010 : 3:57:43 PM
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| *steals the bottom of the SeaLand container* kidding Is that a RED PC caboose? very odd
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Posted - July 18 2010 : 11:20:48 PM
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| I'll take some better pics of my rolling stock
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Posted - July 18 2010 : 11:26:38 PM
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| That picture makes me sad, because your hobby shop frowned on that stuff. That CSX unit will run forever if you know how to maintain it. The others are classics. For as short of a time as you've been at it, that's a great start. Keep garage sale-ing and you might find some more prizes.
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Posted - July 19 2010 : 8:57:25 PM
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[ Keep garage sale-ing and you might find some more prizes.
Originally posted by burlington77Â -Â July 18 2010Â :Â 11:26:38 PM
[/quote]
Thanks Now i have to get the wife to think like you
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Posted - July 19 2010 : 9:25:53 PM
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quote:[ Keep garage sale-ing and you might find some more prizes.
Originally posted by burlington77Â
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Thanks Now i have to get the wife to think like you
Originally posted by derfberger -Â
[/quote]
HA! HA! (most) ALL women think we have too much hobby stuff ( in my case, that is PROBABLY true....). But I keep reminding mine that I COULD be out drinking,smoking, and chasing other women. At least I'm at home playing with trains.....
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 20 2010 : 09:24:55 AM
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I've run into a bunch of areas i know nothing about
1. Radius: I'm going with 22 in for the outside But i want to run two parallel tracks.
This raises all kinds of questions. I've been told i can have 2 - 22in radius tracks running parallel if i put a short piece of straight in the outside track Doesn't make sense as it would push the outside too close to the edge of the board.
Do i go with an 18 instead. I read about 22 and 18 but why not 20?. Is 22 manditory or can i use uneven numbers.
How far apart should two parallel tracks run
In looking at the Gore and Dapheted layout he goes from 16, 20, 22, 24 all in the same run. Makes for interest but doesn't the 16 throw in a engine length limit.
Assuming all my engines will work is it O K to mix up radius
SWITCHES: Can i use a 18 in switch on a 22 in . Does it matter if I'm going from straight track to straight track
Here are some of the switches i 've acquired.
Going from left to right: the first is from Italy and works.
the second from Yugoslavia and doesn't work. Took it apart and the plastic throw pin is broke. Can i get a new switch machine
The third and forth are from Austria and say TYCO. Also don't work. Can i get new switch machines
why are they different lengths?
thanks all for the help
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Posted - July 20 2010 : 09:54:12 AM
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| well if'n you need track I has a bunch
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Posted - July 20 2010 : 12:41:16 PM
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quote:Do i go with an 18 instead. I read about 22 and 18 but why not 20?. Is 22 manditory or can i use uneven numbers.
How far apart should two parallel tracks run
In looking at the Gore and Dapheted layout he goes from 16, 20, 22, 24 all in the same run. Makes for interest but doesn't the 16 throw in a engine length limit.
Assuming all my engines will work is it O K to mix up radius |
Mix it up all you want. Your trains will run just fine.
Have you ever heard of flextrack? If not you should definitely check that out. Each piece of track is 3' long and flexible so you can bend it to whatever radius you like.
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Posted - July 20 2010 : 2:08:48 PM
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i priced both and bought flex.
any ideas what i can do to power the tyco switches
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Posted - July 20 2010 : 2:41:42 PM
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But I keep reminding mine that I COULD be out drinking,smoking, and chasing other women. At least I'm at home playing with trains.....
her problem is that i want to do all the above.
has no sense of humor
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Posted - July 23 2010 : 8:22:25 PM
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quote:That big CSX is cool
Originally posted by walt - July 17 2010 : 10:26:20 PM
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thanks but it's giving me fits.
I've never had such a long engine before. I've set up a circular test track 18" R. The CSX runs O K.
Now i have started my lay out and the outside track has 22" R except one place where the 22 transitions into a 18. Half the time the CSX derails when it hits the 18. I'd like to run a parallel track which means 20" curves
I don't want to limit my layout to 22 in but at the same time i'd like to use the CSX. I could drop down to 20"R when needed
Also have acquired lots of 18" curves that i'd like to use.
One thought is to go with 23, 21, and 19 R. The 23 would require a guard rail as really hugging the edge of the boards again eleminates the 18" pieces
What do people do with limited layout space and these long engines..
How do they deal with switch yards with 18" R turn outs/
Thanks
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Posted - July 23 2010 : 8:50:11 PM
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quote:it's giving me fits.
I've never had such a long engine before.
What do people do with limited layout space and these long engines..
How do they deal with switch yards with 18" R turn outs/
Originally posted by derfberger - July 23 2010 : 8:22:25 PM
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Um, you don't try to fit a size 10 foot into a size 8 shoe? Basically, if you're running a short-radius layout, you're self-limiting yourself to those power units that can negotiate the tight curves, ie switchers, Branch Line units, etc. Just as you can't run a Big Boy on branch lines. Your only hope is to have a transfer area between railroads , which could be a few straight lines and some longer turnouts to transfer consists, and just use the long diesel there as a haul and dump unit, with no other interaction on the layout except at the transfer yard. That's about the only acceptable use I can think of for your short-radius issue. You can hide the in and out track behind trees, etc.
Jerry in Virginia
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 23 2010 : 8:55:32 PM
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thank you Jerry
guess i should have been a bit more selective when visiting garage sales.
I'm still learning
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