In the past two years I have had surgery on both my legs, I had the main vein removed in my left leg in May 2014 and this past April 2015 I suffered a severe injury to my right leg that I just recently recovered from, the surgery and accident has left me with difficulty in getting down and under my layout and getting under my duck unders. I had just started with wiring of my layout when these leg difficulties developed. I know that the smartest thing to do is to tear it all down and start over, making the changes needed for me to get back to enjoying the hobby. Everytime I look at the layout the task seem so daunting that I just walk away in frustration. My question is, has anyone here ever incountered this same thing and how did you handle it. My layout is shaped like the letter "E" the long part of the "E" is 27' long and the three sections jutting out are 17' long. How does one even know where to start?
Is your layout set for someone standing? The reason I ask is because a few years back I lost a leg and had the same problem. I would suggest that you get rid of any duckunders and then lower the benchwork to a level that would be comfortable in an office chair. For under the layout I would recommnd a mechanics stool. My benchwork is 30 inches high. Widest part is 30 inches deep. Yes I would like more room but we do what we have to.
I use a mechanics stool to get around my layout. Like this:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYGHS1C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00
If that is still too high, maybe it could be modified to go lower.
You could run new feeders around the outside of your layout. Then put the track feeders in from the top. Make them long enough that you can use a hook on a pole to reach under the layout and hook the wires and pull them out to the new main feeders.
I, too, have leg problems, and have arranged for almost everything to be in the not very wide space between the fascia line and the L girder. Wires are inserted from the top down and fished to the fascia line with a straightened wire coat hanger.
The only thing that requires spelunking under the layout is connecting the operating line to the bottom leg of the Anderson link that moves my turnout points. I have an auto mechanic's creeper , used only when I need it. I've also gotten quite inventive about working from the top and sides, which is why I'm in no hurry to install fascia panels or add scenery.
Rather than dropping the layout height to a really low level you might consider using a kitchen or bar stool, rather than an office chair. That keeps the 'working' level at a comfortable height for someone sitting in an ordinary kitchen chair.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - at a snail's pace)
Woodman:
You have my sympathies.
I'm still in the planning stages for my layout and one of the things I forsee as a major challenge will be working underneath it. I'm still trying to come up with solutions.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi
Well I am not sure what to sugest there have been what look like some great ideas.
A friend of mine has one but not sure how it will work as I am yet to see it in action.
He thinks well I am not getting any younger wiring is a pain underneath he is also 6'71/4' tall as well, and is going to run his wiring on top of the layout creating a wiring loom covered up with rigid removable hollow scenery sections.
No idea how he plans on making these pieces or the wiring loom but it sounds a good possibility if it can be made to work.
regards John
Is there a club near you that you can enlist there aid for completing the wiring? Lot of model railroaders will work for beer.
A nephew, grandson or son (or the female version) or neighbor's kid that you could hire?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
With "cookie cutter" subroadbed on a traditional L-girder or grid, it is not difficult to avoid the requirement to work from below. Once scenery is in place, maintenance will have to be done from below, but that shouldn't be a problem because I'm building everything perfectly.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
You don't mention the current status of the layout.If its track on bare table top, this would be a good time to really decide just what you need to make it workable,save what can be used and rebuild acordingly. I've haved raised a semi compleate section with very little damage,I did hav help. If under the table work is the bigest problem; there must be someone to get to crawl under there and with your guidence wire it,.
IMO instead of walking away, take a real look at what you have and what you need, then work toward the center. There must be more then a few ways to get back to enjoying the hobby
Hang in there, you can always quit '' tomorow''
The starting point will depend on the coarse of action,complete tear down dont mater,save some, avoid as much damage as possible. Unless there is a big red arrow. jump in, if wrong just don't admit it to anyone
SouthPenn I use a mechanics stool to get around my layout. Like this: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYGHS1C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00 If that is still too high, maybe it could be modified to go lower. You could run new feeders around the outside of your layout. Then put the track feeders in from the top. Make them long enough that you can use a hook on a pole to reach under the layout and hook the wires and pull them out to the new main feeders.
OOOO.... I *like* that stool! I think I'll buy two of them. (One for the train room and the other for my nursing office.
And the price is right too!
As for the layout... When building this layout the LION determined that he would under no circumstance go under the layout for any reason. Ergo, that is were the junk is now stored. Wires are mounted on the fascia, and then a finished facia is installed over the top of the wires wsing strong magnets to keep it in place.
Looks good, just lift the fascia off and there are the wires. LIONS are SMART!
(So why is LION planning to replace feeders for the fourth time? Go Figure)
The zookeeper has Ramu listed as a TIGER, but we all know him better as a ham.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS