Now that I have lost my plans… I am going to redesign my layout once again… LOL!
What is the minimum distance from the wall to the edge of the layout that you would feel comfortable with? I’ve seen as small as 18 inches. I was thinking 24 - 30 inches… not feet. [:)]
I’d go as far out as you comfortably can, Brent. To scenic, lay and maintain track, and possibly collect derailed trains, you will be reaching at least some times, all the way to the back. If your layout won’t hold the weight of you, make sure you aren’t going to be reaching a long way. That’s going to be difficult and a literal pain when you start adding scenery, which takes a long time.
24" isles so you don’t feel crushed trying to walk around your layout. 30" would be even better. Possibly none if you can move the layout and get around it (or craw under it to get to the other side when it’s pulled off the wall). 18" seems a little tight to me.
Wes
As for the walkways - measure your widest friend and add several inches.
If I did that I don’t think they would be a friend very long… [:O]
I have personally found 20" to be too narrow although I can get through it. I find 24" is okay for building and maintenance, but 30" is better. I plan for 30" to be minimal and 36+" to be the norm for future layouts.
Enjoy
Paul
I guess you could look up the ADA compliance sheet and go with that…it would be on the wide side of things, of course.
Wes
Wes, one of the things that I tried to take into account with my layout, was that there had to be room for people to come into the room and see the layout. I can now handle about six to eight people in the room fairly easily and they have room to see the trains run.
Thats true, but not everyone has 3 4’x16’ tables in a C shape!
Yea, most of people have bigger. [:D]
sadly, not me…
ADA says 36" wide for a wheelchair passage. The wheelchair is the widest accessible vehicle, so everything is designed around that.
Kurt
My narrowest bottleneck is 24 inches, but only at the entrance. It doesn’t seem to be a problem, or even noticeable.
I think we figures the three 4x8’s side-by-side gave you pretty good aisle space. When mine is finished it will be 2 ft aisle space. But honestly would rather have 3 ft wide.
Yes but that is set for businesses not homes not unless you have someone that is in one. most people I think would go (if room allowed) between 18" and 24" .
brent you could look at your freinds and guess about how wide or deep they are and add about 6-8 inches for that (ones you think would come over and visit and want to run trains or watch them.
rt - That’s why I place those little Old Spice samples in all YUZ GUYS stockings.
gee I haven’t gotten any maybe he doesn’t want to visit me lol
wouldn’t be any room this place it tiny
You’re right RT. I should have clarified my response. I spent a great deal of time with public and commercial buildings. I believe private residences are up the owner.
Kurt
Actually the width of the wheelchair is approx 36 inches. Doorways are recommended to be 40 inches where appropriate and hallways they recommend 80 inches (so two wheelchairs can pass).
Fife - I had to extend the length and width of the table to accomodate some stuff… the walkway is 24 inches around the three sides. I have tried to shrink it back to 8 x 12, but it just looks cramped. Right now it sits at 8’10" x 15’6" my concern is you won’t be able to get down to it at eye level… so I may raise the base to 40 inches instead of 32, that way you won’t have to bend over as far. How high off the ground is your layout? I kind of like the height of yours too… if I remember correctly it was right about top of my belly height… [;)]
Just make sure the aisle is wide enough for your ego to squeeze through. [:D]