I am designing an HO shelf layout for a 24" wide by 14’ long industrial street railroad. The target room is an attic space. Even though the central ceiling height is 8’, that height is only 4’ wide and due to a 10" high step up in the floor on one side, I will be limited to 6’ 6" total height for the layout. The current design structure is a free standing wall with the 24" wide layout on both sides of the wall. I currently have the trackage at 51" above the floor with a 21" high backdrop. There is 3" high light box above that for the LED strip lilghts. This makes up the 6’ 6" total height that will get the one side of the structure under the rafters. I have done a drawing and it looks like this will work for me at 5’ 11" tall. This layout is intended for operation, so I wonder if the 21" high backdrop will provide enough room for reaching in to uncouple cars. I really don’t want to lower the track height if I don’t have to. The main lline will be 6" from the back drop and there will be some 2, 3, and 4 story buildings between the main and the front edge of the layout. Many of the spurs on this line are parallel to the mainline at the edge of the street. Thanks.
It’s not going to be easy. I am also 5’ 11" and just using a tape measure to similate the dementions it’s a stretch. However, I think with careful planning you may be able to pull it off. Plan it so a street or low building is in front of any place a derailment or uncoupling may occur. You could also have a step available, perminant or movable so you could step up to do the needed tasks.
Why don’t you set up a temporary situation with your layout at 51." Place some of the buildings about the distance back from the front that you plan to have them and see how far you can comfortably reach. You may not need to make much adjustment to make it work.
Good luck,
Are you saying that if I lower the trackage (say to 48") and increase the backdrop height to 24", I’d be better off?
I think you would be. Like I said, try setting up a piece of plywood on temporary legs, put some buildings on it and see how it goes. You may find you can do it at 51" or you may find it has to be at 45" to reach as you want to, experiment.
A backdrop of up to 24" high is easily done as masonite, 1/8" plywood and aluminimum flashing all come in 24" widths. Anything wider in the first two would have to be cut from a 4’ piece and there would be waste, unless you could plan a place to use it. Not sure just how wide you can get the flashing.
Do a little pre construction experimentation and save yourself a headache later.
Good luck,