Hi! Most of my attention has been on the “Classic Toy Train” forum so please excuse me if this has been asked before.
Curious: What is your deepest layout depth? (That is, the distance from the edge of your layout to the farthest reachable object)
As always, thanks.
Mine is 40", to which I must reach using a step stool and a good back. I have the stool. [B)]
It depends on the height of the bench and on your own height and reach. Most of us come to accept that a comfortable and safe reach extends to about 28" tops.
The absolute limit designed into my under construction layout is 32 inches, but there isn’t much back there - just fixed scenic elements, no track, mechanicals or light bulbs.
The limit for things that HAVE to be reached for routine or emergency maintenance is 28 inches, 42 inches above the floor. As the height above the floor (or ladder step) increases, the reach-in distance shrinks.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
28" will also go through most doorways without having to be turned sideways. It’s the max for my new layout currently under construction. Since I don’t plan to finish it in this house, I want the option of moving it.
Enjoy
Paul
My layout is a table, 5x12 feet. So, the longest reach is 30 inches, since I can walk all the way around the table.
If you’ve got an option, I’d recommend 28 as the max. I can reach over and even do trackwork and scenery, but I’ll be happy when all the work along the centerline is done and all I have to worry about is the occasional stalled engine or coupler that won’t disengange. (No, I never have any derailments. [(-D])
Selector/TomikawaTT/Paul/Mister Beasley: Thanks for replies.
The most common quoted numbers I’ve seen are 24–30 inches–30 being the max and 24 being recc. if you’re benchwork is higher, as discussed. This is actually one (among other) reasons why I plan on a modified O for my layout (actually around the walls without actually being attached to them) to allow for reach on the inside of the layout. Otherwise, as mentioned above, you can’t really go any wider than five feet for a table-top/island plan, which limits you to about 28 inch curve radii.
Jim
Thanks Jim.
I am an N Scaler so keep in mind when I talk about 24 inches I am talking about a whoppin’ 44 inch comparison in HO Scale.
When I use a 4× measurement any industrial trackage is only going to be that 24 inches from the edge of the table and I seldom have trouble with that measurement; I have a few rather hefty acquaintances and 24 inches is about their maximum reach without unintentionally rescenicing the layout. I try to keep trackwork at an absolute maximum of 27 inches for a reach. I did have one layout where there was an industrial area 31 inches from table edge but that involved only structures and scenery and I was careful to insure that things were as I wanted them before I sealed that area out of practical reach.
There have been a number of posts of recent where individuals wanted to know how they were going to reach to the back of a 3 or 3½ foot platform/shelf. Jim Fitzgerald of NTRAK renown had an article published many years ago describing a platform support he designed allowing him to suspend himself above his layout allowing access to normally inaccesible areas; there was a photo accompanying this article. Micro-Mark, I believe, now markets a similiar tool but it is a little on the expensive side; if you have woodworking skills and/or tools you could probably fabricate one yourself. As an alternative you could perhaps use a tall, well braced sawhorse and a French Cleat system allowing you to suspend yourself above your layout a la Jim Fitzgerald.
I know that this response goes a little bit farther than what you requested in your post but I’m sure you would not have brought the subject up if you were not anticipating needing it.
R. T. Poteet: First of all, thanks for the time you have spent on your reply.
Background: Was an “HO” fanatic for fifty years. (Was unable to see or handle “N”)
When I retired a few years ago, I was introduced to Lionel “O”. I packed away my “HO” favorites and sold or donated the remainder. Now, instead of ‘operating’ a detailed model railroad, I ‘play’ with my toy trains.
In all the years of building and re-building layouts, I never really gave the layout width measurement a second thought. I sort of went with the flow. I remember one layout in particular that I used one of those (you should pardon the expression) “senior citizen” (although I am) grabbers.
I asked the question because I was curious as to what other train people were doing.
Thanks again to you AND all of those who answered. I’ll keep reading. [:)]
Traindaddy, if you enjoy vast expanses with just a bit of trackage running through it, as I do, then you will be wanting to respond to the call of wide benches. Wide could even be 6’ in that case. What I did on my last layout was to build access hatches. This was discussed in a thread only six-8 days ago, so if you were to go back a week and see if it is there, or perhaps do a search below under “access hatches” specifying in-text search, you may get it…the search function works on a whim at times.
Access hatches are the salvation of many of us, as long as they are properly placed and properly constructed. Too small, or in the wrong place, they have little value to offer you.
I have enjoyed my current layout, and hope to do so for a while yet, but I can tell that a time will come when I will be grateful for a simple, grade-free, around the walls bench with a hidden loop at each end. I have no idea how that will come about, if ever, but ease of construction and operation will have high currency once I am past 65.
I am a heretic and do not have my layout at chest height, it is at 36" from the floor and maximum reach is 30".
30" at most.
Bearman–SS Gauge: Thanks for info.
Hi traindaddy1
All of the layouts I have built I have used two foot as the maximum width of any given area.
Since my railways are invariably four feet wide at some point that area becomes for want of a better description, two scenes back to back so that I maintain the two foot max rule.
Any wider than that and I start having reach problems, during construction a step block is used.
But once construction and track laying is over I don’t want to stretching to reach awkward spots for scenery construction.
regards John