I think this is ok to put in the general forum, but anyways, here’s my question with a little info
I’m currently planning a 6 foot by 6 foot L shaped layout, and I have the depth at 24 inches. however, I can’t get the curve radius I want. So my question is, could I extnd the depth to 30 inches, and then use a stepladder to reach into the back of the alyout. I’m about 6 foot, so I’ve got a decent reach, and I’m thinking a height of 4 and a half feet for the layout. So, would this be feasible, b/c a step ladder could give me another foot or two above the layout. and also, I’d work from the back to front with scenery. Thanks for any comments! [:)]
One thing to remember is that stuff might derail back there, so you do want some way to reach it after it’s done. I think this would be fine, though. 30" isn’t that bad.
How large a radius curve are you trying to put in? My L-shaped layout is only 16" wide and I fit in a 31" radius curve quite nicely…in fact I probably could have gone up to maybe 36".
My table layout that I can get at from either side is 60 inches (5 feet) wide. So, the centerline is 30 inches from the edge.
It’s a reach, but it’s not impossible. I’ve got fully-ballasted track and lots of scenery there. I did generally complete the center of the layout before putting scenery on the outsides, which seems to be your plan as well.
For interacting with the trains, I keep a bamboo skewer and a foot-long wooden ruler handy. Yeah, engines will pick that part of the layout to stall on, if you give them the option, so having an “arm extender” in easy reach lets you give them a shove.
I once had a layout with a platform width of 62" and I used an 8" high footstool to raise myself high enough off the ground to reach to that 31" halfway mark. However, I made sure that anything beyond a 27" reach was not going to need anything other than occasional maintenance. 30" will be fine but I wouldn’t put any track back there.
There is one thing, however, that you need to keep in mind: the depth where the arms of your L-sections come together is 42" and if you want to do anything back there you probably are going to need some sort of access.
And by the way, that thing that micromark is marketing is a takeoff on a homebuilt design built by Jim Fitzgerald(?) of NTrak fame and which was written up in a 1970’s article in the hobby press. The INDEX OF MAGAZINES does not return a title by Jim so I am inclined to believe that it was about him rather than by him.
I assume he’s talking about a turnback curve, which he’ll need at each end of the L if this is any kind of continuous plan. He’ll need 2 x min radius + 2 x min clearance, at least.
Every open-end shelf plan with continuous running, and there are a lot, has them, so how do people deal with reach on the turnback curves?
Thanks guys. I was planning on putting a main line on a grade at the end so I could have continous running. It hknk what I’m going to do is put an access hatch in front of the main when it comes around the curve where the two L legs will meet.
As to why it needs to go bigger, yeah, the loops at the end are only going to be 11.25 in. radius if I stick with a depth of 2 feet. I tihnk I’m going to go ahead and see how much this will help my plan. thanks for all the replys!
I have 30" depth in two locations and I am 5’-9". I can reach the back OK, but with a short stepladder, it is no problem at all. The tracks are elevated in a mountain scene, and are at 26" from the forward edge, so the reach is very doable.
I’m 5’8" tall and built like a barrel - and just about as flexible. I’ve designed my layout with a maximum of 32 inch reach-in distance, but the last several inches are reserved for scenic effects and a layered backdrop. No visible track beyond 28 inches, and that limited to stub-end spurs with the turnouts within 18 inches of the fascia.
I am also incorporating ‘hard points’ about 20" back from the fascia - places where I can rest my weight on my left hand while working with my right. IMHO, they are the single feature that can make or break a deep design.
The corner with really deep benchwork will be topped by a removeable temple complex, so I can make like Digger the Mole if necessary back there. (Who’s Digger? Watch NASCAR on Fox if you don’t know.)
I agree. I started with 30" and cut it all down to 24". Reason? Scenery in the front that I did not really want to climb up and over for a derailment or to adjust anything. Unless you have nothing but empty staging in front you’ll be trying to reach up and over something!
As to what will be in front, nothing more than a few structures. One leg will have a mountain w/ tunnel (can reach from the end inside), and then a stream, so reach will not be an issue there. as to the other leg, small industrial area that will have some spurs at the back. After listening to y’all’s arguments, I’ve decided to go ahead and make it 30", but have an access hatch at the deep corner, and then also use a stepladder.
I just received the latest Micro-Mark tool catalog today, and the topside creeper is still on sale. This is a great way to have greater depth, more room for scenery and tracks, and larger track radii. At $239, I think this is a great thing to have for far reaches.
Don’t dismiss this idea. My layout is 3 decks, 33ft by 29 ft and I have a couple of areas I cannot reach. I bought one of these creepers, keep it under the layout, have had to use it 4 times in 3 years, well worth it. I have used it to do scenery, retrieve derailments and rebuild a section of track that went south when it should have gone north.