Wdodge0912The house was more of what the wife wanted than anything I wanted. I at least get a spot in the garage to park my car, and a spot to work on my other hobby, rc warship combat.
I see. The way you introduced the topic made it sound like a good thing for a layout. Sounds like maybe not so much.
I get the "happy wife, happy life" thing, but if trains are your passion, I would have thought it meant something different. Well, maybe when you hunt for the next house, you have a chat with the wife that this is something you want to prioritize.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
My computer desk, when seated, if I stretch I can BARELY reach the back edge - it's big, it's a mover's nightmare, I've had it for about 28 years. Not bad for a put it together thing from Staples - it's also VERY heavy and sturdy. I could put very wide benchwork above it and not hit my head while sitting here, or go higher and put it above my seated head height. Maybe something like that would get you enough room?
SOunds like the spare bedroom may be your best option though.
I only had one rule when looking for a house - a decent basement. Upstairs, she does whatever she wants. The basement is mine. Which is why I will finally get started on building a layout just as we hit 7 years here.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
riogrande5761 "New house!!!". So the wife and I just closed on our house today and started moving in! I measured the walls where I'll be putting my layout and I have 5ft by 8ft to work with, but that would be putting the layout up in a corner. You bought a new hourse and only get alotted a 5x8 space. And all those !!!! ?? When you shop for new house, you need to make a layout space a top priority! Have you learned nothing?
"New house!!!". So the wife and I just closed on our house today and started moving in! I measured the walls where I'll be putting my layout and I have 5ft by 8ft to work with, but that would be putting the layout up in a corner.
So the wife and I just closed on our house today and started moving in!
I measured the walls where I'll be putting my layout and I have 5ft by 8ft to work with, but that would be putting the layout up in a corner.
You bought a new hourse and only get alotted a 5x8 space. And all those !!!! ??
When you shop for new house, you need to make a layout space a top priority! Have you learned nothing?
The house was more of what the wife wanted than anything I wanted. I at least get a spot in the garage to park my car, and a spot to work on my other hobby, rc warship combat.
cuyama Wdodge0912 passing on the shelf above the computer. It would definitely stick out too far. Even if you vary the depth of the shelf?
Wdodge0912 passing on the shelf above the computer. It would definitely stick out too far.
Even if you vary the depth of the shelf?
Yea, it was hang way out at the ends, it's not so much the middle or anything. I suppose I could go for 18", but I'm not sure if I'd be able to get what I want on something that narrow on the ends, even in N scale.
mbinsewi Wdodge0912 This is the area I'll have to work in. At least it's dry. So you have basically a unfinshed crawl space, with the only place you can stand up is where the tank is. Or do you have another basement area, that you can stand in? I think I'd stay upstairs, and make something work around the 2 walls. Much nicer enviroment. Mike.
Wdodge0912 This is the area I'll have to work in. At least it's dry.
So you have basically a unfinshed crawl space, with the only place you can stand up is where the tank is.
Or do you have another basement area, that you can stand in?
I think I'd stay upstairs, and make something work around the 2 walls. Much nicer enviroment.
Mike.
Yea, that's just the section I was thinking I could use. Want to keep it open to the breaker box, since the wife loves to use all the kitchen appliances all at once.
I do have a small spare bedroom, or if I did some good work to keep the wires from being chewed, I could put it in our rabbit room.
Wdodge0912This is the area I'll have to work in. At least it's dry.
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Wdodge0912passing on the shelf above the computer. It would definitely stick out too far.
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"New house!!!". So the wife and I just closed on our house today and started moving in! I measured the walls where I'll be putting my layout and I have 5ft by 8ft to work with, but that would be putting the layout up in a corner. You bought a new house and only get alotted a 5x8 space. And all those !!!! ?? When you shop for new house, you need to make a layout space a top priority! Have you learned nothing?
You bought a new house and only get alotted a 5x8 space. And all those !!!! ??
Well, passing on the shelf above the computer. It would definitely stick out too far. I am going to see about removing the old fuel oil tank in the basements, and using that area for a layout.
http://imgur.com/a/2hJ13wZ
This is the area I'll have to work in. At least it's dry. I'll try and put it on top of the lip or whatever so I can squeeze a bit extra width out of it. I do have to be able to get in there though for the water meter and the breaker panel
Your image:
Modulate, don't legislate, the benchwork depth. It need not be the same everywhere. Let the end loops be wider, then shallower elsewhere for easier reach and maintenance – especially in the inside corner.
Congratulations on the move!
Wdodge0912Would a shelf that's 2ft or 2.5 ft be too wide?
If you are going to build the layout over a computer desk then it is going to be at least 48 - 50" above the floor, or maybe higher. Your computer desk will likely prevent you from being able to stand close to the front of the layout. That means that you have to consider how far you can actually reach into the layout. It may be necessary to use a shelf that is 2 1/2' from the wall, but you might not be able to reach the back of that shelf standing on the floor.
The next question is "what do you want to run?" If you want 85' passenger cars or auto carriers then you will need to maximize your radii. That implies that a 2 1/2' wide shelf would be preferable. If you are going to run 40' freight cars then obviously you can use smaller radii and not lay track in the back of the shelf that you can't reach comfortably.
I would suggest doing a mock up with a 2 1/2' shelf at the height that you want your layout to be. A simple piece of cardboard held at the desired height will tell you a lot, but don't forget about the computer desk. A shelf that wide in N scale will allow for decent radii on the return loops, but as I said, you have to be able to reach the back of the shelf comfortably.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks. I got my part of moving done today. All the heavy furniture. Even the heavy queen bed power base up the stairs to the second floor.
Would a shelf that's 2ft or 2.5 ft be too wide?
I'm really thinking N scale so I can have a looping track. Since it's an L as well, I was thinking either a crossing, or a bridge over one track in the corner spot. Like a figure 8 that's been bent. I havent been able to find what I'm trying to explain, but pretty much the back track on the long side would rise up, and go over the front track on the long side. I'm sure someone knows or could figure out what I mean. I just figured if I would go N and go DCC right off the bat with it, since I'll need to buy everything pretty much. I'll set up an HO switching layout on DC power in the basement, I could loop it around and back with some extra work. But that way I'm not dumping money into all the old HO stuff I have or rendering it useless. The DCC N scale would be what would be seen by people anyways, so I can keep it simple with the industries and switching and such, and have some longer trains to let roll.
I'm without a PC, but here's the jist of what I mean (the picture button doesnt play nice on my phone)
http://imgur.com/a/puLawwd
Congrats on the new house. Perhaps focus on that first than worry about the layout. That's secondary.
Agree with above that a picture helps.
Thanks! That's the area where I can put a shelf layout. The short wall on the left is 5ft, and the other is 8ft
I might see about getting N scale and putting the HO in the basement. The HO stuff I have is DC, so I'd just set up a single loop, and can get into N scale with DCC on the shelf. I can make the shelf as wide as I need to really, if a 5x8 table was possible there I could do that, but that puts it in the corner. I figured with an N scale on a 2.5ft wide shelf I could get a loop around the outside, and have plenty of room for switching on the middle
Wdodge0912(For some reason the picture function isn't working for me, probably because I'm on my phone) Add Quote to your Post
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I'll try when I get a chance. Busy moving, lol
I do have a picture of the corner that I can put the shelf layout in
http://imgur.com/a/OjgN9Sn
(For some reason the picture function isn't working for me, probably because I'm on my phone)
A scale sketch will give people a chance to know the area you have availible.
Often an around the walls plan gives more layout area for a given floor area. Obstructions are a problem
I measured the walls where I'll be putting my layout and I have 5ft by 8ft to work with, but that would be putting the layout up in a corner. I was thinking a shelf, I can go as wide as I want, but it would need to put it above my computer.
I do have the basement, I could potentially put a shelf layout, and have it run around part of it, between the stairs and furnace. Would be a bit hard to get to, and would need a lift out, but I could have it all open in the middle and run around the room pretty much.
Anyways, I was looking for suggestions on what to do for a layout, basement that might be a bit of a pain to work on in some places, or a small shelf layout above the PC? I might get some N scale stuff if I do the basement HO, and put the N scale on the shelf.