Thanks for your input, I am 6'3" tall, and I have thought of that. I am young enough where bending in and crawling doesnt hurt yet, but, I am going to need to work in that space as well. So, I was thinking about it being about 4 foot tall, but that is just a speculation right now. I want to make the height good for viewing as well.
Any suggestions on height level? Given that me having to crawl in there is not an issue, but the one who will be enjoying it most is me.
The great news is that this evening I completed all 4 sections of my layout bench work. I have 2, 2'x66" pieces, and 1, 1'x3' piece along with 1 18"x3' piece. tomorrow I will create some legs.
So, I have 2 questions:
Thanks again for your help
With your 6x9 you can do more than you think while you plot to take over more basement. I started with 4x4 in N gauge and quickly went to 8x8 in Ho and eventually bridged to another 7x10 section. Always looking for ways to expand . While some don't like under a certain radius, it all depends on what you plan on running. I run 22 inch min radius and have everything from MP15Dc switchers to GP40's, SD70Ace's, AC6000's and a recent Y6B steamer and run without any problems. It's your little railroad and you can do what you want with it. I would suggest that you paint the walls a sky blue color as a minimum unless you are putting in a backdrop. The light colors will make the room look larger and make any pictures stand out better.
Good Luck with it.
Springfield PA
If a liftout section is not possible or too difficult, I would set the layout height as high as possible to make the duck more of a "nod". Try to mock up a test shelf at varying heights and see how bad the duck is vs reach across the shelf. You could also turn it into a "roll under" by getting one of those stools on casters that doctors seem to have.
I was wondering how much "mud" gets in your mud room, as well as how much family traffic goes in and out. Dirt and accidents (I'm picturing my 7th grader's book bag) could be detrimental to the layout.
Have fun!
Thanks so much for your reply. I just wanted to see if any one had some input on the feasiblity of my duck under layout. I can have 9 sq ft in the middle, amybe a little more, and still get a 24" outside radius and a smaller yard for swtiching. I also figured out a way to service a few industries. I am having trouble on the inside radius for the parallel track, but I am working on it. I may just start with the oval and build from there. I would like to be able to experiment with scenery, as this is my first layout, and this will give me the ablity to have about 4 unique areas. I really wanted as realistic operation as possible, and that just was not going to happen with a 4x8. and I am just under 6ft x 9ft...I think I can make a pretty darn nice layout, at least a nice 1st layout. Thanks again!
If it were me, I'd do it as you describe. I don' like low radius curves, which for me would be less than 26". I was also granted a corner of our basement. I would have needed curves down to about 24" had I made anything except my central operating pit surrounded by four rectangular modules bolted together.
I could do without the duck-under, to be frank, but it is a small price to pay in order to enjoy being surrounded by a layout with scenery and sweeping curves. With some thinking, you can still have a rudimentary switching and storage yard, and even maybe some temporary shelving to serve as a staging element. And with the space you describe, you can have a small urban setting and some industrial servicing.
Just take your time and work out the details. Think of curves and inner tracks parallel and what that will mean to the inner radius. Frog angles will be important, but I'll bet you could use #6 turnouts easily, and they will handle virtually any engine you can find, except maybe a 10-coupled expensive brass steamer.
It must be an exciting time for you!
-Crandell
Hi, this is my first post, and I would like to start by saying Really appreciate all the great things I have read on this forum prior to this post. That being said, I have a space limitation. I have a 10'x13' room, with two walls occupied, one with closets, and the other is a required walk way through the room. It is a 'mud room' with 2 entry points.
I have decided I can squeeze in about a 5.5'x9' layout in there, but it has to be cornered. I had initially though 4'x8', but after reading here and other places, i realized I would not be able to get the type of operation that I had desired.
This is what I am shooting for:
Ok, I know I have space limitations, but i was thinking of doing a donut layout...similar to the 'Heart of Georgia Rail Road". I can make a 36" square in the middle of my layout, or even a bit bigger. I Can crawl under, no physical limitations...this would give me easy access to every section of the layout, since it needs to be in a corner. I can make the long side the narrow side and still have 24" radius turns on the outside. My initial plan was the Atlas 'Trunk Line", and I have used there software to c reate a comparable layout on a 5.5x9' board.
Has anyone ever done a donut on a 5.5'x9' board? does any one have any other ideas?
I have a room schematic if needed or desired. Thanks so much for your help, the layouts I have seen here and elsewhere are a true inspiration. I have waited about 20 years to do this, I cant wait to get started and buy my benchwork.