morning all, well been thinking of changing from a planned helix to a 2nd level to a much simpler underlayout stagging ,but what would be a safe distance between bottem of upper level frame and top of say rail ? I ve seen some picts where it looks tite , Im looking at around maybe 6-8" depending on grade(2%my like) & overall thickness of uperlevel above stagging yard (frame ,ply, or frame ply & foam ) bench work is 90% built …any Ideas …and I know more is better but what will work …Jerry
Play with it. Mock up a section that you can clamp to a couple legs and try it. Not only test how low you are doing it but how far back away from the edge of the layout.
Remember that not only do you have to rerail or extract cars, you have to be able to clean track and service turnouts. What happens if a piece of ballast drops between the the points and rails. Will you be able to see and diagnose and fix the problem?
I agree with Spacemouse. For me the minimum would be the clearance needed to reach the back track without disturbing rolling stock on the intervening tracks. That’s a pretty tough standard. You might be OK with having to clear all the front tracks to reach the back track. I’m not. Until you experiment, you won’t know what is acceptable to you.
As a starting point, you have to have 3" above the rail for rolling stock; more for some modern cars. Then you need space for your hand.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
thanks guys ,makes since what your adviseing. but Ive never been up close to under layout stagging ,seen a lot of picts but never measured one . so for those that have under layout stagging whats your clearance and any pros cons …ps for the maint. track cleaning ect thought of a drop down or hinge (but got to get the trains out first ) Jerry
I am now assembling a rather complex passenger staging yard that will fit BETWEEN THE L GIRDERS that support my main division point. Access in place? Fugheddaboudit!
However, the whole 400mm by 4 meter complex is designed to be lowered to a point about 450mm (18 inches) below its operating height for repair, maintenance or correction of [oops] events. That was part of the design from the beginning.
One staging yard now in full operation will be under the highest level trackage on the layout - at least 450mm overhead clearance. Access is through the openings left when two control panels are hinged down - leaving gaps about 250mm high by (total) 1500mm long with bottoms just above rail height. If that doesn’t do it, the (to be installed) fascia will be screwed on, with easily-removed access panels. The throat to that four track yard lifts out, held in place by four vertical studs with wing nuts.
Access to my other staging areas involves lifting styrofoam landforms for access - but the trackwork doesn’t include any specialwork and will have been operated uncovered for a LONG time before the covering terrain goes into place (with a plastic sheet between to keep construction debris from fouling the rails.)
My total netherworld trackage exceeds that of the visible railroad in both route and track miles, and it all has to be in before I can build the visible world above it.
Another approach, which I have not incorporated, puts the staging on a pull-out tray supported by kitchen cabinet bottom shelf hardware. I have seen photos, but have no personal experience with these.
Chuck (Modeling the netherworld under Central Japan in September, 1964)