narrow shelf layout

[mttrain]

Hello,

 

I've got a small room in the basement that is ready to be transformed into a train room.  It's 8'x13' and I'd like to get as much mainline run as possible out of this space.  I was thinking about using a narrow shelf and going around the room at least 3 times; 36", 46" 56" heights.  I was wondering if this will be enough clearance between levels?

 

Here's a snapshot of the lowest level (rough draft just to get the idea).  I was planning to use a 3 or 4 turn helix between levels (16" radius).  These would be stacked over the staging return loop in the bottom right corner of the diagram.

 

Just looking for some pros and cons about this idea.

 

Thanks

Mike

 

[macjet]

N scale I assume?

[mttrain]

N scale I assume?

Sorry... Yes... N-scale

[cuyama]

Although it's possible to build a 16" radius helix, this will not leave you much hand room for maintenance and cleaning between turns of the helix. And the train will be out of sight for much of the run. Have you built layouts before? A helix might not be the best thing to include on a first layout, although some have managed it.

Do you expect to be in this space for some time, or is a move likely in a few years?

Without knowing more about the kind of railroading you wish to depict (flatland granger, mountain crossing, industrial scenes, etc.,), it's hard to provide alternatives. Those depths between rail heights might work for some scenarios, might not be enough for others. In any case, you need to allow depth for the supporting framework below.

It's sometimes considered kind of "old school" today, but a twice-around with scenes coming to the forefront alternately from each tier can be an interesting alternative, especially if you can manage a little more width on the shelves. This kind of schematic also makes continuous-running more practical, if that's a desire.

More width on the shelves can also allow you to tuck staging along the wall behind a narrow visible scene.

Byron
Model RR Blog

[CSXDixieLine]

Mike, I am currently building a 3-level n-scale layout (click the link in my signature below--I have several pages of the layout under construction, track, plan, etc). How wide are your shelves? Looks like some are only about 10" deep while others are about 16"? I'll wait for your response and then will have some comments about this and your helix based on what I have learned from my new layout. Jamie

[gandydancer19]

If your table / benchwork width is 18 to 24 inches wide, I would go for a 20 to 24 inch height separation between levels for good viewing. The lower level can be twice around as previously suggested, then hit the helix for the second level.

As for the helix, I think it needs to be big enough that you can stand up inside of it for track cleaning and maintenance.

My current layout under construction is a twice around the room with a branch line going up a no-lix to a second level 24 inches above the lower level. My room size is 9 foot by 23 foot.

I had a previous N scale layou with a 24 inch wide benchwork in a 13x10 space. There was plenty of room in the center for three operators.  So it may be possible to have 18 inch wide benchwork on the long walls and still have room for 2-4 operators to move around in.