A terrible problem to have....

[Anonymous]

The Facts:

• I selecected a layout that is perfect for myself and my family. (Cripple Creek from MRR)
• I have purchased all the flex track, turnouts, and cork board needed for this project
• I have allocated the space for our layout

The Problem

I went to buy the lumber for my bench work and realized for 18 bucks more I could build 2 8X4 tables (the ones listed in the MRR magazine). So I did! Now the C.H.O. (Chief of Household Operations) has not scrambled fighters, lowered the DEFCON status, or other wise flown over the coo-coo's nest. My side of the garage is my side[:D]

The Question
Do I go with an 8x8 or a 16x4?

The 16x4 would give me lots of space to do some new things to the Cripple Creek layout we have selected. I actually wanted to build Turtle Creek as well! The turns will be terrible.

An 8x8 would allow me the uber 33 inch turns with double tracks and allow me to run my C&NW passenger trains. I could also model my home town and neighboring towns on the other sides, but I be wasting a lot of space in the middle.

I need help. I am running digitrax DCC with Kadee Couplers / Magnets.

Thank you,
C&NW-Andrew

[Anonymous]

i'm new to the hobby and just started to lay track on my first layout so may I'm not the best person to help but in my first attempt i'm glad i never went any bigger than 4 foot wide. the reach is alot more than i thought it would be. If your layout has access holes 8x8 would work.

[rrinker]

How about 8x12? (see my web site) Instead of 2 tables 4x8, you make 4 tables 2x8 and arrange them in a rectangle. Gives a 4x8 center opening to access that side, plus each side is only 2' wide and an easy reach. 4' is a bit of a reach, and if you make an 8x8 you will have no chance to reach anything in the middle.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

the question you have to ask yourself is this... are you planning on placing it along a wall or free standing in the middle of your garage?

If along a wall you will definately want 16 X 4 because you can reach back in the corners.... or you could even put it in a corner and do a L 12 X 4 X 4.... 12 foot length with a 4 foot dog leg on it.... and the width would be 4 feet as well.

If you are able to use the center of the garage then you could use the 8 X 8 configureation because you could walk around it.

Just remember that this is your personal layout and the final desicion is yours.

[grayfox1119]

Being new to layouts, but very experienced in construction, how are you going to reach anything beyond 30"? And the higher you make your tables above floor level, the shorter your reach will be unless you stand on a stool.
As Randy said, you will need an access hole in the middle of any 4 foot wide layout "unless" you have a walk around on all sides of the 4 foot ( 2 foot reach to middle on all 4 foot sides ).

[Anonymous]

I myself did a 8x8 HO layout in the center of the garage. My feeling is that it was a mistake. I didnt plan it out very well and ended up not being able to reach the center of the table without climbing on top. So If I were to do another project with 2 8x4s, I would do the 16x4. But of course the decision is yours and you have your own plans on how the final project will be dealt with etc. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I dont feel comfortable commenting except your reference to the 16x4 would allow you some of the things you wanted to do.

A 8x8 square just wont do it. Just my two cents

[selector]

Another possibility, but some of the 'ol' timers' might cringe. I built an 11X8 in one corner of the basement (yeah, I know, exactly what not to do...or so I thought). The corner half, if you will. is a hollow mountain, lift off top, with a nice spiral. I can get around the back to fix any problems. The half nearest the controller, where the village and operations take place is, except for what I can reach along the sides, as much as 18" out of range (I'm 5'7", table is 42" high). So, I ran my lake and feeding creek across the layout, over the 8' width. I (hold your breath) cut a hole around the lake and have made that a pop-up access. The lake pops back into its customized recess and only a close inspection reveals the gap.

[ukguy]

I did a similar thing selector although mine is only 7x8 on split levels. the track mainly runs around the perimiter of the layout and is never more than 24" from the edge. my town is in the center, each 'city block' is removable for access. each whole block lifts out sidewalk included. the sidewalk is lipped slightly bigger than the hole so the block sits snug in its place with a realistic kerb. the town is basically 5 dioramas plus an industrial one.

its workable and hasnt caused me many problems yet, although i know it would if i still had it when i was 65, access would be much harder with them stiff joints i know i'm gonna get, but it will be long gone by then so no problem right now.
with ALL that said, i wouldnt do it again, next it will be 30" max width, prob around the wall of my 25x20 room with some pninsulas/reverse loops.

be safe
karl

[selector]

I'm with you, Karl. I hope to get a few years out of this layout, but my back, hips, or head will tell me when time's up.

I had not considered your idea of village blocks coming out for access. Go figure. I might try that myself next time. Like you, though, I can see the wisdom of a shallow layout around a room's perimeter. The idea of reverse loops scares me, though. As a new guy, they seem to complicate things, like wiring, too much. Have to read more.

Regards,
Crandell

[Jacktal]

It is obvious that the 8X8 version would be your best in term of operational interest but as wisely stated,it is much of a problem to work on it.Most modelers face the same problem...no sufficient floor space to allow such configuration,but since you do have such space,I suggest you try very hard to go for it.

There are a few options that you could consider but will need careful planning,taking in consideration your building skills and tooling available,the track plan itself,weight,electrical connections,etc.

Now,let's see...
the access hole in the middle is the easiest solution in my mind.You could disguise it as a removeable pond,a park,a residential area or whatever.However you will have a duckunder situation that you may dislike a lot as the years will catch up with you.

Another way would be two 4X8 benchworks on rollers that could separate for scenic work and reparations.The use of carefully designed dowels would ensure exact fit all the time.It would be wise to plan your trackwork so that track joints are minimal in this area and just so for your scenery.You would also have to consider a reliable electrical connect/disconnect system.It is more work to build but if your garage floor is smooth enough,this could be a viable option.

I have a similar problem...a 11X10 floor space that I want to make the most of with a walkaround design.I'm 53 so the duckunder doesn't appeal to me at all,just as a linear layout with very tight curves.I'm planning on a 7X7 workbench but have the same preoccupations as you...working on it.I'm also thinking about folding down or removeable corners to reach the middle of the layout.I have both the skills and tooling so all that's left is to make up my mind on what will be best for me.I just wanted to share my ideas with you and hope it helps.

[Anonymous]

Dudes, Dudettes, and fellow Model Railroaders,

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INPUTS!

What I decided to do was have the 2 8X4 tables side by side. And at one end build a 3 foot connector for the main part of my layout to form a giant U. I can get some bigger curves on the front(I am begging for 4 feet but we will see!) This way I will have access to all spots of the layout.

Thanks Again,
CNW-Andrew

I cannot thank you all enough for your inputs, suggestions, and ideas.

[Anonymous]

One more thought: How about widening your tables to 5' or 5 and a half feet, then putting them end to end? That way you could have a 16' x 5' or 16' x 5 1/2' table. At 5 1/2' wide, you could still have 30" radius turns around the outer edge of your table, but could also still reach the inner portion as long as you can walk around it. Perhaps this suggestion will give you some other ideas.

[Anonymous]

I built a 6 1/2 x 9 foot layout and ended up using two ladders and a plank across to reach the center to work on the scenery. I was careful to lay no track that I couldn't reach fairly easily.

[FThunder11]

go 8X8 and cut out a hole in the middle for access