I’m planning a new layout and have been reading a lot of magazine articles as well as the forums. They have been very helpfull. The width is to be 4’ but I’ve read that 2 feet is generally the limit for reachability. I’m wondering whether leaving a space of about 12 inches between the layout and a wall with a back drop is an OK idea.
Certainly it’s OK, but unless you’re really skinny, it might not do much for access. If you can give yourself another four inches back there somehow (making the space 16 inches wide), it’s a lot more useable.
Thanks alot Mark. I’ve got the extra space and could go as far as 18". My concern was ruining the effect of the backdrop connecting visually with the layout. I guess this will be the first of many compromises that will have to be made.Thanks again,
Bob
Try a lift out backdrop, or buildings with removable roofs for access.
Hello Hoople,
Another good idea. That’s what so great about these forums. Many heads are better than one
Thanks,
Bob
You mention depth, but not lenth or any other dimention.
I have a small HO layout. it is the miraculous size of 3’ x 5’. it will have a perpendicular 12-16" x 3 foot staging yard attached to one corner. It is a small room, and takes up alot of space.This applies to you only in that the 3’ depth, even on a flat surface can be hard (for me anyway) to reach the back. My big grand solution, and the reason to respond to you, is that I put it on wheels!, then I can roll it out and go behind to do what i need to. If you have the room, maybe you can use this solution to.
I left about 22" around 3 sides of my layout. That’s still a little tight for working. I’m using 2’x4’ peices of masonite board attached directly to the layout frame for a backdrop. They’ll be removable for access. 18" will work, but I’m sure you’ll growl at the wall on occasion.
Hi Galaxy,
I’m going to start with a length of 8’ to 10’ on the longest wall with track dead ending in at least two spots so that I can extend the layout in either 4’ or 8’ sections. Also there will be a U shape at the begining with a 4 to 6’ section oposite the long wall with a 2’ wide section connecting them… It will be too big for wheels but that is certainly a good idea. I’ve got to learn more about staging areas before I actually get started.
Bob
Nothing like have a pool table and the cue stick hitting the wall.
Thanks
he only trouble I see with leaving rear access, is layout stability and backdrop issues.
By keeping the layout away from the wall, you are basically making it free standing. Additional braces will be needed for the legs or some horizontals connecting to the wall. This would further limit space and manuverability behind.
Second is backrop. To have nicely painted backdrops that blend into the scenery prospective and terrain they generally need to be pemanantly fixed. Your backdrops would need to be removable or very low. Many have removable ones, but some scenery would be limited and there is also the possibility of damaging trees, buildings etc.
If you attach directly to the walls, you can go as wide as 30-36" on a average height layout. Single level layouts are better viewed at 56-60". but this would make the reach more trouble. Taller layouts are better narrowed down to something more comfortable like 24-28".
I’m joining in here late, so forgive me for that. To find out about what staging is about read the article I wrote about the topic.
What is Staging and Why do I need it?
You can fantasize about your layout size and structure, but until you develop a plan, don’t build anything. It’s a lot easier to make an adjustment if it is not built.
I’d also suggest reading the beginner’s guide to layout design–there’s a link in my signature. It will help by pointing out the things you should be thinking about as you put together a design. Then as you start working on it, post your drafts in the Layout Forum and get comments. It you work with the people here, they will make sure you get a really nice layout plan that fits your vision of what you want to see.
Hi Bob,
You’re right on both counts. As far as the wall mounting goes I plan on making it free standing in sections so that leaves the back drop to deal with. Your idea on that sounds good. The height is another issue. Like you said the highe the layout the shorter the reach. My preference is to go on the low side of average height., some where around 36 to 40 inches. On the advice given by space mouse below I’m going back to the drawing boards and do some more research.
Thanks,
Bob
I am actually having the same problem. I am building my second layout with a space of 8X5 and the bench area will be about 8 X 4 and a bit. My plan is to have one of the short side against a wall and leave about 10" or so from the wall for access because there is just no way I can reach 4’ for the whole width. So I can now walk around 3 sides havng access to everything and I suggest you use a generic backdrop like a sky or cloud and in my case on the walls, so from a distance and or when taking photos, it still looks realistic.
Well you’re right about the fantazining and day dreaming. They say an idle mind is the devil’s work shop so when I’ve got nothing better to do I think about the layout. I’ll follow your advice and check out the link for staging.
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Iceman.
Good idea about the generic back ground. Some one suggested attaching the background to the layout. Maybe I could hang it from the ceiling and hook it to the layout and unhook it when I need to work on that side. On another forum a person had cloth material hanging down from the top to hide everything underneath. When he wasn’t running the trains he pulled it up and laid it across his layout to keep the dust off.
Goodluck Bob
Cheers bud, I just thought that might be the easiest and I got those huge size sky backgrounds and you just put it up on the wall closest to the back of the layout and it will be better than attach to the layout or even hang them right behind it because I attach it to my existing layout and it will cast shadows and sometimes doesn’t look at good. Where as if you put it up at a distance, it just look like the skyline with clouds, no shadow and look just like the real thing and you don’t need to move it, un-hung it ir anything like that because even though those are pretty tough, they do get creased with excessive handling. 