Layout height

[claycts]

Old debate here. With my slopping roof problem comes the fact that my bench will be 30" high. An around the wall is all that fits. [:(!] In order to get the width for a Turntable and any type of reverse loops I have sections of bench 6ft wide so a reach across is not praticale. Now the question! has ANYBODY TRIED MAKING a 36x36 hatch WITH a tturntable and Round house PLUS track a lift out hatch? This would be for construction then track cleaning.
I wil use a car creeper to get under the table since I am almost 60 with some broken bones.
PS Merry Christmas from Aiken S.C.

[Anonymous]

Wow, George, I wouldn't want to tackle that project! I'd be afraid I'd never get that hatch to slip back into place properly. Of course I am the world's worst carpenter.

I can relate to the broken bones. I'm almost 61 and the knees and the back like to remind me of same.

[ndbprr]

Years ago there was a guy who had no choice but to build a layout wider than he cuuld reach and he made a hard to describe ladder that had a pivot so he could climb up the base and lean forward and the upper section would then pivot so he could lay above the layout to rerail or work on scenery. I think that might have been in MR in the late 60's or early 70's. I think you could do what you are planning if you used a piano hinge or something similar to assure allignment but I think rather than a hatch I would extend it all the way to the edge. Duckunders are good for ducks in my opinion. Extending it to the edge would allow you easier access. Maybe you could use something like a premounted door on its side so all you would need to do is screw the doorframe into the layout.

[trollw]

The bigest problem I see with such a hatch would be the weight. With scenery, track, and structures, it would almost have to be really heavy. ndbprr's idea of a door or something like it extending all the way to the edge of the layout might work (hinge at the back). Release the pins at the front and let the front of the hatch pivot toward the ground. However, the structures would then be pointed INTO your working room where it would really be easy to damage them. HOWEVER, to paraphrase, reality makes for strange bedfellows - we do what we gotta do.

John

[claycts]

I had the dum idea of a ladder on a track laid over the railroad. Like the vertical ladders in a library except on anangle with a platform so you could lay across and work. I was looking at a 5' span by the yard and have it fold to the ceiling.
Still thinking in Aiken.
Looking forward to building something!

[camarokid]

Is there any way you could reposition the turntable and roundhouse closer to the edge of the table top? Only thinking of your broken bones as I'm 58 and things are not what they used to be either. If you use the door(good idea) is there a way to hinge it so it swings down into the layout for a good reach to the left, right and forward as you face the wall? This would, I believe, give you all the room you needed to reach the back side of your layout if this is your main concern. You could also use the door with eyebolts and lift it up whenever you needed to. The pulley system should be easy to come with as you already have the roof supports for stability. This might even work with the first idea and use one eyebolt and the pulley system to lift the door back up to table height. Just my thoughts.
Archie

[claycts]

1st of all Merry Christmas and thank yo for the input.[:D]
I am going to try a redesign (30th +) and locate ALL the compicated track work with-in 30" of the edge of the benchwork. This is the 1st design that does not look like a "SPEEDWAY". The around the room idea is great except when you try for a reversing loop with a min 32"R. The room is 12ft by 21 ft useable. I was goig to try and post a drwing of the layout on one of my websites but to busy with work related things. Do have some train related on www.seecarr.org a car club my company owns.

[rrinker]

Oh no, ANOTHER 'car guy' who's also into model trains [:D]

It's really kinda wierd. There are a ton on here, and I know of at least 3 more who don't post here, besides myself.

--Randy

[CBQ_Guy]

George,

Wait until those broken bones mend! It will make working under the layout easier and LOT less painful.

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

George,

Wait until those broken bones mend! It will make working under the layout easier and LOT less painful.

Bones are from 1999, the problem is the saw bones set the leg wrong and it has a 10deg list to it. Oh well stil have 10 toes, all is well!

[rmallory]

Hows 'bout an item the call the highside creeper.
It is used by mechanics to lay horizontal over an engine compartment.
Adjustable and padded.
Do a internet search for either a ATD Topsider, or also one made by Whiteside Industries.
Might be a bit pricey for the function, but just a thought. (approx. $200-$400)
Here is one link I found:

http://www.tooldesk.com/products/productDetail.aspx+id+455

Cheers

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rmallory

Hows 'bout an item the call the highside creeper.
It is used by mechanics to lay horizontal over an engine compartment.
Adjustable and padded.
Do a internet search for either a ATD Topsider, or also one made by Whiteside Industries.
Might be a bit pricey for the function, but just a thought. (approx. $200-$400)
Here is one link I found:

http://www.tooldesk.com/products/productDetail.aspx+id+455

Cheers

THANK YOU Ordering it TONIGHT! Can use it on the cars and trains!