Currently i am in the process of building an O scale layout. It has a simple 24" wide gap where a bridge/ liftout belongs. I remember a few years back that Model Railroader had instructions to build a lift out where the entire section lifted up on a chain system. The problem is i cant find the article or directions. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?
Let me ask you this: Why do you want a chain? This would be a 24" bridge so all you really need is some way to re-locate it every time right?
From what i remember the lift out was rigged so that could be raised all at the same time strait up. The method the diagram used was some sort of pully and chain. If you have any suggestions please let me know. The only thing is I want the bridge to lift strait up.
Why make something that’s so simple into something so complicated? There are a couple of ideas HERE
I think that a hand placed at each end, grasping the lift-out section, and lifting, in unison, straight up would do the job just as well.
Wayne
I like that idea i am just afraid that it will be to heavy for me to lift in the years to come. The bridge is built out of ply wood and 2 x 4’s. It will also carry 3 rails. Not to mention it would look cool it the whole thing lifted up with chains.
You’d have to have something fairly strong to support the pulley system both on the ‘bridge deck’ and the wall or ceiling. Any pulley system should be screwed into the wall studs–not just the dry wall.
A couple of ideas though—how high is the layout? You could raise the layout—and only have to stoop under rather than go through all the above. And with O guage that gain in height will give it a lot of presence. Or the other idea would be that one could get their muscle training in getting the bridge deck up/down by hand–give you some balancing exercise as well!![swg]. How thick is the plywood deck? If it is as thick as 1/2" then it will not be as heavy as all that—but then again-
What about the direction the door–I assume that you are dealing with a doorway here–opens. Is it into the room or out of the room? If it is into the room then you will need to have the bridge–assuming that you go with the lift bridge idea–end it’s trip over the doorway—
Either way—have fun!!
Shoot as far as lifting goes: small electric PWC (jet ski) winch or a hand crank one for that matter. Hide some eye hooks or make your bridge to have mounting spots in all 4 corners. Then mount the winch up high and lower when needed. The winches usually have long remote cables you can find a way to hide that I am sure. You could even hide the winch and use some pulleys …
Hi, if you can work it into the edge of a hill or beside a wall to give it some support, maybe a train elevator could work for you.
Try looking at Model Railroad Planning 2001, pg78 for some ideas. I seem to remember an article somewhere that an elevator was made to lift the trackwork section completely up to clear a doorway. I’ve no idea where that article was…
Have fun, George