Our house is a modest size with all the upstairs space occupied. I am building my layout in an area of the basement. It’s not large but I can do okay with 6’x13’ espcially since I’m going to operate mostly alone.
Here’s the catch: I’m finding it very awkward to build the layout without additional room to assemble, cut and shape benchwork, foam board etc. Once everything is settled there will be workbench space, but it seems like one needs a space the size of the layout then again to work in.
During the summer I was pre-fabricating some stuff outside and in my storage shed but with winter that is no longer an option.
Does anyone else have this problem? It’s frustrating and sometimes prevents me from doing my best work in building the layout. Arrrgg!![:(!]
There is a very good reason why David Barrow (do a search in the magazine index) like the “domino” method of layout construction, and you have found that reason.
CP, like you I did much of my cutting, etc outside when working on my benchwork and backdrop. But I have found that once that is up, the space issue disappears. You don’t need the space to lay track, ballast, scenic, etc.
My work bench is in a bedroom. I live at the bottom of a mountain on rock, so houses here don’t have basements, nor do I have a garage. My layout is in what once used to be the “study” upstairs. One thing you will notice is that as you build and move along on your layout, you will discover the truth to the aphorism “build it and they will come.”
My layout is in a room the size of a 2 car garage, with no windows or other restrictions, and my separate shop is too, all insulated heated 24/7…A guy can DREAM cant he!!!
OK. Actually my layout is about the same size as yours. The other day I was modifying some bench work, my wife thought I had eliminated way too much walking space, the illusion caused by tools, lumber peices and clutter on the floor caused during the project. Once cleaned up now,it, like yours is fine.
This is one of the compromises I readily accept to have a RR. Before I had this space, I had none. Dan
mine is in this really tiny storage/old bedroom upstairs. in our upstairs is my room, this room that will have my trains and the attic. the room is probably 6’-8’ wide and 10’ long. my layout will be in the center of the room and i’ll have about 1 1/2’ to walk from a bookshelf to the edge of the layout. my dad and i will probably cut and do all the building of the benchwork in our 2nd garage. then move assemble it up in the room.
I recently moved my work table to a 6 foot by 6 foot corner of a spare room and it freed up the old area for spouse’s plants. (A win-win situation) I found it very difficult to build from inside up.
Eventually there will be a short corner pike for that corner and I may go around the room a bit. I have a twelve foot wall to play with. I will have to squeeze down to 4 inches to get behind a closet for 3 feet.
I could use my porch for the heavy cutting but will wait till spring as I am behind on on structures etc. I have mentioned in the past that there will be a room added on and all the basic construction will be done in that room at the same time. (someday)
I suspect that this thread will receive many responses because it is an issue that is a silent problem in the hobby.
Thank you for bringing this to light. I knew I had a problem with this but you defined it for me.
I have a similar problem. When I do build in the winter, I figure out exactly what I need - lumber cuts, holes drilled etc. I bundle up and brave the cold with my drill and portable saw in my driveway - make all the cuts and rush back inside to warm up.
You should have the problem I have. the only space I have is 3’x5’ in a mobile home, so I have to share with every one else. also I have to have a fold up
version . sounds like alot of fun to build?[B)][B)]
“I was sad that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” Don’t know where that quote comes from.
The point where the benchwork and foam sheets are done is not far off. At that point my situation will improve because I have allowed more workbench space and made it more accessible than with my last layout.
If you are confidant in your drafting ability how about building the layout in two or more modules, possibly with tilt-up or tilt down hinging at the wall side. It may not be an ideal solution but with some thought it may provide enough extra elbow room to let you get on with the project until the ice breaks up in May or whenever.
Modules also have two additional benefits: allows you better access during construction and scenicing, and is theoretically portable so you might be able to participate in a modular club.
I understand your dilemma. We’ve recently turned the other half of the attic to a sitting space. So much for having an open space to modify wood to for my sub-roadbed.
Fortunately enough I’ve left either ends of my layout unfinished for switching, my mainline occupies the outside edge of my table.
I barely have enough space to work with. [:)]
My only other option is to walk down 2 flights of stairs,clean out the garage, cut the wood, try & put everything back into the garage so it fits (outdoor kids activities take up a lot of space),walk back up the two flights of stairs, take a 15 minute break (from the two flights of stairs), & then fit the piece of wood to the layout. [:(]
Gordon,
who is out of breath just thinking of the alternative to working in my train room! [V]
I have run into similar problems in my layout space–my garage is a disorganized area of 8x16 feet, and it was already effectively filled by band equipment and tools BEFORE I got back into model railroading. Currently the model railroad takes up seven square feet of actual space (1x6 with two wings at the end for curves)
My wife has just offered me an enticing proposition (no, no, not that kind): she is offering me some space to build a layout IN THE LIVING ROOM. The two hitches are that first we have to replace our wall AC/wall heat with central heat & air to free up more wall space, and the space itself is about 2x8 feet. Now, that’s enough room for quite a bit of trolley layout–but it would need to be built into a custom-designed and built piece of furniture that would also hold most of the books currently in the 3 bookcases along that wall. And, of course, most of the construction would have to be done in the garage…