Using the space UNDER the layout

[Don Z]

Truly a nice piece of work

Terry,

Do you have another shot of that drawer? Is that a pickled finish on the red oak?

Don Z.

[Hawks05]

Right now the the "layout" is a crawl space so I can get to the other side as well as all the boxes stacked up on each other. I have an old plastic 3 drawer storage thing that I keep the rolling stock in. Then a high shelf thing that has the power pack and random clutter.

Not much to do under a 4x8 layout. Whenever I get that bigger space and layout I will definately plan to have storage for trains as well as rubbermaid tubs full of other junk.

[ARTHILL]

I bought a couple of garage sale cabinets. I had to cut the legs off to fit. I do have skirting to cover all the trash.

[Anonymous]

I use it poorly!

[reklein]

I kinda cruised rapidly thru this thread. Its an interesting one. My is to use those plastic storage drwers you can get at Staples, HD,Office Depot ,K-mart. They come with drawers of varying depths and work out reall nice. I also store my collections of MRR Mags under the benchwork.

[HHPATH56]

I really like all the storage ideas.  My layout is at the 38 inch height, which is ideal for castored kitchen cabinets and old book cases, for easy access to the underside of the layout.  So, with a padded creeper, I can get to any portion of my 24' x 24' "around the room HO layout, with peninsulas". The castored creeper ( with a slanted back rest, is ideal moveable support for wiring and soldering. I also used some old pallets for harbors, above some permanently screwed down dresssers, for rigid support.   

Bob

[ShadowNix]

I use plastic crates to store under the big spaces.... but, I was lucky enough that previous owner left me 2 on the wall shelves that I tucked under my layout.  I then left it so I can tuck crates BEHIND them to store stuff not often used.

Also, I bought some ol' kitchen cabinets at a garage sale for $10... I placed the one on the right (the one with drawers) and put wheeles on the one with the door (it has a slide out bin, etc).  I also put a wood top and edge and I move this around to where I need it (where I am doing scenerey, etc.).   

Brian

[mikesmowers]

   At the present time I have nothing under the layout. I used to have all the boxes and packages that my train stuff came in, but it seemed I was all the time pulling the stuff from under the layout so I could add a building with interior lights or street lights. I removed everything and put in another barn inside of a couple of the tall lockers, ( they kind you used to see in military barrecks) this way I can get to the underside of the layout and still have access to all my supplies. On the next layout I am thinking along the idea of some kitchen cabnets for the supports of the benchwork that I will custom build for the sole purpose of storing my train related stuff in and still be able to get to the underside of the layout.

   I do like the idea of putting the shelves and such on casters so that they can be removed without to much of a problem.                Mike 

[Anonymous]

I have shelves for everything from old brass track, to scenery stuff, to an old dresser for rolling stock, to a cabnet for manuals, and everything train related.

[BigRusty]

I mentioned this is an ealier post. My neighbor, who is a rehabber, gave me 10 kitchen cabinets that he was replacing. I am using them as the base for my layout, ergo, no bench or leg construction.

My layout modles will fit on top of them and be bolted together. I have lots of drawers to keep everything uncluttered and out of sight, but near at hand.

AND, they are FREE!

[steamage]

My shelf layout is no wider that 18 inches and has 50 inches under it. I haven't lost any useable space for furniture such as tables and cabinets.

[tomikawaTT]

My layout room storage falls into 2 subsets:

1. Shelves above and below the along-the-wall ROW.
2. Roll (or slide) storage under the benchwork away from walls.

My along-the-wall ROW is supported on shelf brackets mounted on slotted tracks screwed into the studs.  Near-identical shelf brackets support regular shelving (actually, junk wood shelving) above and below the ROW.  When/if I build an upper level along the wall(s) some of the above-the-layout shelving will go away.  The bottom shelves are high enough to clear plastic storage tubs standing on the floor, which, in turn, are narrow enough to get inside the 18" clearance line below the ROW.

Most of my layout is on benchwork that is accessible from both sides.  The area where I am working is mostly clear except for my under-layout creeper.  The other areas (and some floor space that will soon have benchwork above it) host castered cabinets, plastic storage tubs, items in large boxes, house-size trash cans, stacked 2 x 4 foot bundles of extruded foam, soda (bought in bulk on sale) in plastic stackable cases - and my wife's self-propelled golf caddy.  At present it's not very organized.  Once the need for access from below has ended, things will become a lot neater (Madame Neatfreak will see to that!)  I also expect that the golf caddy will end up a lot closer to the door than it is now.

The final plan calls for curtains below the fascia, to hide the junk stored items.

As for rolling stock, I have shelf brackets on another wall across from the "ferry slip" (cassette attachment point) to hold cassettes (lengths of steel stud) for my "surplus to the layout" rolling stock.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[simon1966]

This raises another question.  How much space are we talking about, i.e. how high is the space underneath?  The experts say the layout should sit at eye height, but mine is currently closer to "counter-top".  I was thinking of raising it and putting a desk underneath.  How much space do you have?

Chris

Chris, I think that this is a very personal decision.  The eye level height affords a track-side view of the trains but it also can make reaching things difficult.  Eye level for a 6' adult may be above eye level for a lot of visitors.  So IMO, while some experts may push the eye level notion, it may well not work for all.  My preference is a layout that my kids can reach, and I can enjoy while rolling around on a wheeled chair.

[GAPPLEG]

Nice!  Thanks for the ideas, Jerry.  Are those pullout drawers above the work bench?

JaRRell

 

 

My roll around workbench is under part of my layout , seen in pix no.1

If you can just make out , low shelves I have 3 of them under the far end of the layout, good for books and other stuff.

Yes as bad as they look, I bought drawer slide at the local hardware store, and built two really bad drawers to hold alot of my scratchbuilding supplies and small tools,  that way the bench isn't too cluttered, The work bench underneath is on rollers, when I need it, I just pull it out. It's convienient because it's near the layout. I have a larger workbench outside the room , wilh my Lathe and drill press/mill, and spray area.

[C&O Fan]

I had a friend build a cabnet for me that fits between the legs of the bench work for

Loco and car storage

He didn't use any screws or nails

Truly a nice piece of work

[Don Z]

Chris, I have 38.5 inches from floor to bottom of benchwork, so it isn't all that high... sounds to be about like yours.  So far there've been some very good ideas in this thread and I hope there'll be more.

JaRRell

JaRRell,

Since you have 38.5" of space, you could look into purchasing pre-built kitchen cabinets at one of the big box stores....without a countertop, they will be 34.5" tall. That would allow you to add casters to the bottom of the cabinet for mobility. The cabinets can be equipped with a drawer on top and doors below, or even a stack of drawers if you prefer. Just an idea. 

Don Z.

[jacon12]

 

   Simon, I'm not real sure where my Digitrax manuals are either.  Thanks for the tip on the file cabinets.

JaRRell

 

Hi Jarrel,

I picked up a slightly bent 2 draw filing cabinet and built it in under the layout to file all the tech manuals and other information one accumulates.  Some may even be shocked to know that I have filed my Digitrax manuals there as I find I rarely have to refer to them! (Devilish sarcasm aimed at no one in particular)  I also keep all my structure kit instructions, decoder references and a library of reference articles.

In another area of the layout I have built some cupboards to store locomotives and boxes. 

My layout is designed to be quite low so the kids can reach things so I don't have a lot of space below.

[jacon12]

Chris, I have 38.5 inches from floor to bottom of benchwork, so it isn't all that high... sounds to be about like yours.  So far there've been some very good ideas in this thread and I hope there'll be more.

JaRRell

 

This raises another question.  How much space are we talking about, i.e. how high is the space underneath?  The experts say the layout should sit at eye height, but mine is currently closer to "counter-top".  I was thinking of raising it and putting a desk underneath.  How much space do you have?

Chris

[Tilden]

My own hobby shop.  Actually storage for the train.  Unbuilt kits, scenery supplies, empty boxes.  I've put in modular shelving and plastic storage containers, the drawer type.  I also have bookcases under one yard which hold the MRR's and also support the yard.
Plenty of uses for space.

Tilden

 

[jacon12]

Nice!  Thanks for the ideas, Jerry.  Are those pullout drawers above the work bench?

JaRRell

 

 

My roll around workbench is under part of my layout , seen in pix no.1

If you can just make out , low shelves I have 3 of them under the far end of the layout, good for books and other stuff.

[jacon12]

Those are Great ideas!  Drawers right under the yard to hold rolling stock!  Why hadn't I thought of that.. 

JaRRell

 

 

JaRRell,

I haven't started to build my under layout storage yet, but I plan on having cabinets on casters so if a need arises to work under the layout, I can roll the cabinet out of the way for access. In my yard area, I plan on building wide shallow drawers to hold rolling stock for easier swap out during or between operating sessions.

Don Z.

[cwclark]

It took me about a week, but I got hold of some 1" x 4" , some cheap 1/2" particle board plywood and built shelves under my benchwork. After priming and painting it all, it turned out great and now I have storage for all that railroad stuff that usuually ends up on the floor under the layout anyway in boxes.  It sure makes things easier when the train room is organized.

[nbrodar]

I have metal utility shelves under most of my layout:

These ones hold parts bins, unbuilt kits, kits in progress, paint, glue, and scratchbuilding supplies.

Here one with larger bins for scenery supplies.

I use plastic storage crates like these, under the rest of the layout:

Almost all of the storage is hidden behind skirting:

Nick

[CMLewis]

This raises another question.  How much space are we talking about, i.e. how high is the space underneath?  The experts say the layout should sit at eye height, but mine is currently closer to "counter-top".  I was thinking of raising it and putting a desk underneath.  How much space do you have?

Chris

[loathar]

Storage. I keep non train stuff in those big plastic tubs with lids. I put a curtain on the front to hide all of it. That not a bad idea to look for an old chest of drawers to keep my train stuff in.

[GAPPLEG]

My roll around workbench is under part of my layout , seen in pix no.1

If you can just make out , low shelves I have 3 of them under the far end of the layout, good for books and other stuff.

[simon1966]

Hi Jarrel,

I picked up a slightly bent 2 draw filing cabinet and built it in under the layout to file all the tech manuals and other information one accumulates.  Some may even be shocked to know that I have filed my Digitrax manuals there as I find I rarely have to refer to them! (Devilish sarcasm aimed at no one in particular)  I also keep all my structure kit instructions, decoder references and a library of reference articles.

In another area of the layout I have built some cupboards to store locomotives and boxes. 

My layout is designed to be quite low so the kids can reach things so I don't have a lot of space below.

[RR Redneck]

The space under my layout is used to store my clothes! LOL My N scale layout currently resides on the top of my dresser.

[Don Z]

JaRRell,

I haven't started to build my under layout storage yet, but I plan on having cabinets on casters so if a need arises to work under the layout, I can roll the cabinet out of the way for access. In my yard area, I plan on building wide shallow drawers to hold rolling stock for easier swap out during or between operating sessions.

Don Z.

[Amtrak_Titan]

I would put storage in the empty space if I was you.