Need to create a layout in limited space

[Anonymous]

http://www.trans-globaltech.com/story1a.htm

Here's a great solution I just found. This guy uses a Harken 4 point hoisting system

[Anonymous]

I'm also trying to figure out a similar pulley system for my 4x6. The post suggesting 4 eyehooks and 4 pulleys also seems to indicate 4 cables. A might unwieldy.
The trick is to devise a system that uses one cable, yet still raises the layout evenly. Haven't seen any reference to something like this in all my perusings on the web yet. Any ideas?
TIA

[Anonymous]

I'd advise against the garage, mainly because they're cold, lonely places in winter! Try building a shelf layout with return loops at both ends (the old "dogbone" design), you might be able to fit this into a guest bedroom, office, or whatever other spare space you have. Building layouts in the living room or kitchen tends to lead to domestic disagreements unless you live alone!

[Anonymous]

Check out http://www.bragdonent.com web site. They specialize ingeodesic foam scenery and such. Read throughthe site.They also give some excellent ideas for building materials. An example would be themoboard board (Manville Board, Cellotex, etc). These are not subseptable to the har***emperature changes that may occur in a garage,so warping and other such problems would be greatly minimized. This stuff also saves drastically on weight and is often the same cost as equivalent plywood or slightly less in cost.

Check it out. The information may be useful for you.

Good Luck!
[8D]

[bluepuma]

Garage layouts need a sealed space - would be better finding enough room inside for for a 1 foot or 18-24 inch shelf to join removeable turn-around loops. Could work on the shelf part inside, not much room needed. One turn-around loop could fit a corner. It would even be worthwhile to float a layout above a bed like a bunk or make a two piece that could slide below a bed.

When I was a kid, got a table built to put my Lionel train on in the garage. That was the death of that, they got ignored, when I went out there, the track, everything was dirty, the light was not good enough. Lived in So. California then, would NOT put a layout in a garage unless it had already been converted to a room. Build things in the garage, put them in the house or in large sealed plastic bags.

"Tube modeling" seems like a valid option, perhaps a nice subway model. :)

- Tom

[Anonymous]

You may want to check out the Yahoo Group site for "Small Layout Design", there are several members of that group that have come up with good ideas for small and very small layouts...

[Anonymous]

Garages are harsh environments for model railroads. Having said that, there are plenty of people who make them work despite dirt, dust, and temperature extremes.

I would like to suggest that you look at alternatives to the good old 4x8. If you are searching for a way to incorporate a layout into your home, there are other ways:

- shelf - either along one wall, or around the walls (higher up to avoid existing furniture, etc.)
- modular - can be set up or stored away as space permits. You can also take them somewhere else to run (our local club has great setups one weekend every month. See www.hotrak.ca ).

The only (well, not the ONLY) reason to have a 4x8 in HO is to get continuous running. If you don't mind switching, or running point to point, you might find that there are other ways to fit the layout inside the house...

Good luck.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

You could even modify a garage door opener to raise and lower the platform. If all 4 cables are tied into the same system, it would insure that the platform would raise and lower evenly. Most openers should allow you to set the "down" position to also insure that your layout stops at the same height each time. Newer openers with the belt drive system are quieter and don't "jerk" as much as the older systems.

[Anonymous]

another idea i have seenis a prehung door and jamwith some modifcation to the jam you mount into the wall studs drop your horses in place ------make sure you get a jam that is wide enough to suit your need though or better build your own out of 1x 's great for n-gauge layouts

[willy6]

i've seen it before, 4 eyebolts, 4 pulleys mounted in the rafters and the cable to fit the pulleys and a way to secure the cables when the layout is raised.

[Anonymous]

We are trying to design a 4' x 8' train platform that can lift out of the way when not in use. We would like it to rise to the ceiling of our garage and be able to be lowered to sit on work horses when we want to use it.
Does anyone have any ideas about how to suspend a 4' x 8' plywood platorm so that it lowers/rises evenly?