Fold down layout

[Kyle]

I don't have anywhere for a layout to sit full time, is it possible to have a layout that folds up against a wall? Also, my dad's in the military, so we are moving in the next few years, is there an easy way to build a layout that would be easy to move?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

An along the wall shelf type layout built in modules.

[BroadwayLion]

Yup... Fold down modules are a good idea, but I'd make them no wider than 16" . Since you already *KNOW* that they must be moved frequently enough, you must make them with this in mind.

I would probably make them to fit on book cases rather than as fold down this way you will not have to attach anything to the walls or get gigged for damages to the walls when you move out. you do not get a loop this way, but you an do interesting things. LIONS are fond of passenger terminals, but you may prefer freight, or maybe an industry. You could do a dock yard where you can park your aircraft carrier or submarine.

Of course you *could* do a 4x8 that can be transported flat. Put it on five foot tall legs, and then your bed will fit under it. My cousins did have a 4x8 fold up, but then they owned the house and so damage to the wall was not a concern.

Finally, if you are like me, you might take everything apart and build something new after each move. I have not moved now in 30 years, but I am on layout 3.3 (Third layout; third major revision).

ROAR

[Phoebe Vet]

Attend a train show or other event where a local club has a working layout on display.  The people operating it will be happy to show you how they make the layout portable.  They might even invite you to join their club and satisfy your MRR urges by constructing a module for their layout.

[Anonymous]

There are quite a few different approaches to model railroading in tight spaces, one of them you can find here:

Confessions of a Mediocre Model Railroader

[rrebell]

Foam modules that you can hang on a wall, very light weight. You could have them on a 1x4 frame or someone has built the frame out of foam also.

[gregc]

you may find Bootcamp and Small Layouts Clinic helpful.   There is some discussion of making these type of layouts more portable

[jmbjmb]

There are quite a few options on making a layout fold up and/or portable.  There were many articles in older MRs on just that topic, though they seem to be fewer to day in the era of large basements.  The Jan 72 issue has an article on a fold up layout, as does the Nov 91 that are designed to fold into a bookcase, which could be a transportable piece of furniture.  I use transportable since the overall size is like a china cabinet which can be moved, but not something you pick up and put in the back of the mini van easily. 

There was an article in May 87 on tilt top benchwork.

One method I used while in the AF was to build (n scale) 1x4 bookshelf modules using the concept of Bob Lutz in the Jan/Feb 77 MRs.  Each was in a self contained box with top, ends, and backdrop.  I installed lighting in the top using Christmas tree bulbs (today could use LEDs).  Then whenever I got where I was going, Installed them on a quick and easy L girder frame and connected the sections by temporary scenery.  Under the frame I used pre-fabed bookcases so the space wasn't wasted, but easy to move.  The overall set up changed at different locations, but the core modules moved with me several times without damage. 

[Soo Line fan]

Kyle

I don't have anywhere for a layout to sit full time, is it possible to have a layout that folds up against a wall?

John Armstrong, in a book titled Creative Model Railroad Designs created a layout called the Murphy Bed and Credenza. This layout took advantage of using the full height of the ceiling and still hinged away from the wall. It used a unique style of hinges which attached near the middle of the layout instead of the bottom.

A small yard attached to the wall so rolling stock could be parked there instead of being removed when the layout is folded up. The book is out of print but can be found online.

[DSchmitt]

I designed (but have not built) a 40" x 76" N scale layout to fit on the top bunk of a bunk bed.  It is a modification of a HO 4'x8' plan.  A slightly smaller layout would fit under a twin bed when not in use.

[hornblower]

The biggest problem with fold-up or fold-down layouts is the need to remove EVERYTHING not permanently secured to the layout prior to folding the layout up or down.  You might no longer think such a layout is a good idea when you forget and dump that super-detailed loco you just spent six months preparing on the floor!  I would go with the small sectional shelf layout idea as it would be unobtrusive and easily transportable when the time comes.

[P-LineSoo]

A long time ago, probably in about 1969 or 1970, either Popular Mechanics or Popular Science or something similar had a big article with plans to build a 4x8 N Gauge layout that was hinged on a bookcase, folded up and attached to the wall with short legs and eye hooks, the underside was made to be a bulletin board.

My dad built this for us for our first layout.   Yes, you did have to clean everything up before folding the unit up, but it's not like we folded it up every day.  It was in the spare bedroom, so when we had guests, we'd fold it up.

Learning to put things away when you're done with them has advantages that balance out the disadvantages of folding up the unit.  You don't have crap laying all over your layout, making it unpresentable, for instance.   And having it folded up, it's a lot easier to keep clean and dust free.    We never lost a car or loco...those went in the boxes FIRST.  

[P-LineSoo]

Update to my previous post. The fold-down layout plans my father used were in the January and February 1970 issues of Popular Mechanics, available free in Google Books online.