I agree that random square footage is impractical, but if you assign a defined area, say 40 sq feet, maybe 50, and then we do what we can with it to see if it we can get a nice track plan and have its supporting bench placed most practicably in a confined space…which you could also designate. Just thinking here…
The building code typically requires a second means of egress from any occupied space. That generally means a window that can open to a square footage of 5.5 square feet without the use of tools. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the basement or on the 30th floor.
Personally, the presence of a window and a closet doesn’t offend me. But what about MY needs!?! My train room is in the attic, complete with ceilings that slope at 45 degrees to a kneewall only 30" high! Throw in a curve like that and watch the double deck guys whither on the vine!
But seriously, folks, the 10 x 12 is generic enough to get started on something. The placement of windows is irrelevant, because you can put something in front of it, and the addition of a closet presents way to many variables. I say go for it as originally outlined, and get ready to see some N scale plans that will cause a mass exodus from Humongously Oversized scale…
A few things about Codes, generally windows are a requirement ONLY if the room is designated as a sleeping area, and that is for 3 reasons, fire egress and natural light, & ventilation, which are required for sleeping rooms. IF the room is legally designated a closet, storeroom, den or similar use that does not legally include sleeping as a function, windows are not necessarily required. A second exit, door or window, would be required if the overall area was large enough, like a basement. If its a bedroom that this sketch represents you could legally cover the window as long as the room is not used for sleeping purposes, you would be required to restore the window and room to its designated use if you ever sold the house.
Doors on bedrooms, closets, etc, open INWARD for a reason, because they are almost always off a hallway and if they opened OUTWARD they could block the path of travel trapping people in the event of an emergency like a fire, something like a peice of furniture gets knocked over and blocks the door in the open position any one one blocked on the other side could be trapped, think about that scenario in a smoke filled house. So doors open into the rooms. The idea being that if the door to the bedroom got blocked or damaged and couldnt open you could go thru the window, even if it ment breaking the glass to get out.
Anyway Building Codes 101 class is over, as for theme, let the designers decide. I’m thinking industrial or logging or mining or [;)]
I just need to decide between full blown G or Gn15, which is G scale on HO track [:O]
Byron has a good point there - why not ask particiants to create a smallish shelf layout - say maximum 24 feet long, no tracks more than 2 feet from front edge of layout ?
Ie something which could be fitted into pretty much any room as an L or U shaped shelf layout, without preventing the use of the room for other purposes.
Space Mouse, you requested that all entrys be emailed to you to aviod the popularity issue…does this mean that there will be no pre-deadline posts for comments? Or are you gonna deal with that as well?
I’d like to see something different from full-sized room or basememt layouts. Micro-layouts are very innovative and are proof that you can always find some space for a layout in your preferred scale(s) or try out other themes, scales, gauges, etc without second mortaging the house.
Well, this was on page two so I’m going to take into consideration what people have said and make my best guess as to what to do. I’m not going to make everyone happy I know, but what the hey.
If I left your idea out, we’ll try again for next time. If you post between now and tomorrow, I’ll consider what you say of course.
I for one had basically no interest, but it wasn’t a problem - I wasn’t bored because I just skipped over the topic. And valuable forum space? In a virtual room, there’s as much space as anyone wants! Complaints about “Valuable forum space” are just nonsense!