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The lift-bridge described in the tread is a nice touch, but hardly the way I'd start. I'd put my money and efforts into building the basics of a running layout rather than spending any amount of time scratch-building 3' long working lift-bridges. That can come later. A lift out section is the way I would go. In fact, my new layout will contain a number of long sections similar to lift-out sections. If you make the lift -out too heavy it's going to discourage you from its use. For the short span you need, I think you could frame the section with 1x2's and use 1" foam (blue or pink) with a 1X2 flat in the middle. You're not going to be walking on this section so I see no need to overbuild with heavier lumber, plywood and thicker foam. As described, the section will be rigid enough unless you're running large-scale locos. Avoid curves, turnouts or sidings that cross the joints. If your plan includes a section that consists only of a single mainline track, this is the place for it. Using a short piece of sectional track to link the rails (like in the N-trak scheme) might be easier than trying to align the ends of the fixed rails, though there are those who do it succeessfully. Wire the layout so that there is ample dead space before the liftout when it's not in place. ( You know there'll be times when you just fire up the loco for a run out to the canyon.) Provide shelf brackets above or below the layout to store the lift-out when not in use. Lastly, it's a lot easier to change the swing of the door so it opens "out" than to rip the wall open and possibly having to reroute wiring in order to install a pocket door . Wayne
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