The only room I have for a layout (on a 4’ by 8’ piece of plywood) is if I suspend it from my garage ceiling. Does anyone have any experience with this? Sears sells a “Racor Pro Heavy Lift Storage System” designed for a 4’ by 4’ platform and I’m wondering if it will work with a 4’ by 8’ piece of plywood. Thanks.
This subject comes up now and again. These are a couple of earlier threads on the topic:
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/154747/1713744.aspx#1713744
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/146796/1628467.aspx#1628467
I usually suggest putting the layout at the end of the garage, opposite the door. That end would be hinged, and the lifting would only be done at the other end, thereby tilting the layout rather than lifting it completely. The mechanical arrangement is much simpler, and the nose of the car would fit under the low end easily. Of course, you would have to remove the trains before tilting the layout, but I would think that would be a good idea if you were lifting, too.
My dad did it with an O gauge layout on an enclosed back porch back in the 50’s. It had to be pulled up when my mom did the laundry which also shared the porch. After a couple of years, dad floored the attic, added lights and electrical outlets and the railroad moved up there. It was just too much fuss with pulling it up and down. Plus I don’t think mom liked it hanging over her head.
Bob
The “The only room . . . . . . . . . .”?
I would probably never try my hand at a suspended-from-the-ceiling layout but it has been done sucessfully. However from what I have seen published over the years on this subject it is generally considered to be the absolutely-positutely-last-ditch solution for a model layout environment.
Your 4 X 8 is relatively small and light weight and this Sears system you reference could probably do the trick. Why not, however, consider the alternative of mounting your layout suspended on a galvanized pipe between a couple of A-frames. You can suspend the footings of your arms on casters allowing the mechanism to be rolled around for proper placement. Fold the layout vertical for storage; unfold it horizontal for operation.
There is, however, one problem which must be addressed: you have to permanently secure all fixed property–buildings, automobiles, etc.–to the layout surface and you must insure that all railroad equipment is removed prior to transitioning the platform from horizontal to vertical. I have an acquaintance who has done this with a 36" X 80" hollow core door N-Scale layout. He has a storage platform mounted on a pedestal which he pushes up to the end of his layout and simply rolls his equipment onto and off of the layout platform itself.
never done one myself but a friend did many years ago. his was home made using heavy cord and pulleys. things were fine for a few months and then it did something like the chandelier in phantom of the opera. worst part of it was it crashed down on top of his vintage mercedes 280 SL.
grizlump