Ideas for a hanging 4x8 layout that can easily be raised and lowered

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have searched around the internet and have tried a few things on my own but without success. Can anyone reccomend a way to hang a 4x8 layout and be able to raise and lower it for use. I am space challenged... No basement - live in Florida.

I am looking for a simple way to work on my hobby but then be able to raise it up when I am doing my real work in my office that pays the bills.

Tim

[eZAK]

[#welcome] Tim,

Here is one idea that you maybe able to use.

I once built a layout that folded against the wall.

I started with a 4x8 sheet of 5/8 ply.
I cut a foot off of one end length wise.

I then attached this piece to the wall using brackets and screws.
Next I attached the other piece, now 3x8, to the piece on the wall using 3 strap or 'T' style hinges. Make sure the center of the hinge is even or obove the top of your rails. this makes for a better rail joint.
The other end of the 3x8 was hung from the ceiling by 2 chains.
When folded to the wall a slide bolt was used to keep it in place.

This worked great for years. The only draw back is you would have to remove any acc. over 1' tall and every thing else has to be secured.

[lionelsoni]

There was an article about such a thing in the August, 2003, O-Gauge Railroading magazine; but it looked very complicated and expensive.

As an alternative, let me suggest what I have done. I have an around-the-walls layout that is a little higher than most, at 45 inches. This is high enough that I can get a desk with computer monitor, workbench, bookcases, and storage cabinets under the layout and against the walls--as much stuff as I would have if the layout weren't there. About the only things that I can't get into the room are vertical filing cabinets. The parts of the layout over the desk and workbench are supported by steel angles, which project only a few inches below the top surface, and are 22 inches deep, leaving 8 inches of the desktop uncovered. This gives me a clear 12 inches above the desktop, which is at the standard height of 30 inches. I would think that a 48-inch layout height is not unreasonable; but I was able to squeeze the monitor in between the steel supports as it is.

[Anonymous]

Both sound like good ideas. I was looking perhaps for suggestions on something that would allow the board to be raised up and down with pulleys or something. However, the hinged idea sounds intriguing. I will be interested to see what others say. A good system would help out a lot of space challenged folks.

[lionelsoni]

I see three problems with the pulley approach:

The impact on the house's structure. Even a 4-by-8-foot layout will represent a substantial weight to be supported by your ceiling structure.

The complexity of the pulley system. The multiple ropes must share the load while keeping the layout horizontal. All the ropes must be pulled together, as by being wound on a common capstan, whether powered or hand-cranked. For a rectangular layout, you could use two ropes at one end and one at the center of the other end. This guarantees that no one rope will get shorter than the others. However, it is vulnerable to tipping if someone pushes down on the corners at the one-rope end.

Swinging. You could put folding legs under it and let it rest on them when in use.

[cnw1995]

Tim, I had a 3 by 5 ft. layout that worked at Bob described. It was based on a pair of folding table legs. I screwed down the track and punched holes for trees and various scenery. When I was done, I removed the buildings and scenery and trains and folded up the table and slid it out of the way - served me well for years. I alternatively stored it behind a couch, in a closet, and in the furnance room without damage. The base scenery - glued using matt medium, held its own when stored on its side. It got so it took me only minutes to set things up.

[Anonymous]

I once knew a guy from Florida that had a 4 X 8 HO layout rigged on a pully system in his garage because like you, he was space challenged. I was telling my brother-in-law about it several years ago and he rigged his up the same way, only he added folding legs to his so it would sit properly on the garage floor when lowered. Both of these guys used a boat winch to to raise and lower their layouts.