Hey Guys,
Can I re-hash a well covered topic One more time?
Im at the point to either build a swing or lift gate on my new ho, around the walls layout. I’m not looking for how to build one, but rather how you all prefer one over the other.
Appreciate your opinions
I’ve had both types and I much prefer the swing gates over the lift out. Both require some careful fitting but I’ve found that the swing gates are more forgiving.
Joe
Thanks Joe
My only choice was a swing gate since I have 3 tracks crossing at different elevations.
I made a “drop gate” so that when it is down there’s no chance of it falling and, since the track height at that point is at 51" there wasn’t enough ceiling clearance anyway. I am completely satisfied with it and have never had any derailment or alignment issues.
Good Luck, Ed
Think about where it will be when you open it. Will it be in front of something else when it is opened. is there room to swing it. a drop gate will generally be out of the way when it is opened.
Steve
This months ißue has a different type of gate that is more like a lift bridge. Goes up not down. Might that be of use?
Shane
Mine is a swing gate. It does not block anything when it’s open.
If you are going to have scenery on the gate, if it is a drop gate, you will need a way to protect it from passing people. That’s my main gripe with a drop gate.
Having a place to store a lift out section that will protect scenery takes up additional space.
I am planning to use a swing up, but they have their problems too. They need to have clearance enough above the layout to let them stand up straight or nearly so. As with any “tip” gate the scenery needs to be well secured or easily removable. They also need a way to securely hold them in the open position. On the modular layout I have seen that has a very simple gate, they do not seem to need to secure it , as they do not use it for more than a people passage gate. I have not seen, so am looking for ways to securely latch the gate in place.
Each gate has it’s pluses and minuses and will be better for different situations. Your particular needs and space requirements will be the deciding factor on what is “best” for you.
Good luck,
Richard
Richard
Thank you. I am thinking the same way. But what about clearances at the hinged side? How will you clear the bridge and main deck while keeping the track tight and aligned. I’ve been overthinking this, Am I missing something?
Thank
DC. in Delaware
I have seen a portable layout done with a swing up section.
The hinge pins were 2" (approx) above the plywood. This protects the track on that side. The other side had alignment pins.
Dave
[2c] Thank you folks for all the opinions .I would guess space constraints would be a factor for one of the 3 choices. I was just courious about those lavish lay outs as seen on tv. Finding it odd that this is never mentioned on any show as to maintain the layout. My 4x8 HO is a walk around switch yard with a RIP track on the outside edge. That solves the “drop” or “swing” decision. Boarding House Reach works best on my R.R.
DC,
Sorry not to get back to you sooner but have been away from the forums a couple of days.
The layout I plan to copy had two, good quality hinges mounted right on the layout surface with the pins up. There was no need to elevate them above the surface. To hide them they had a piece of old carpet which was painted and ground foam added to look like a plowed field. A grass mat could also be used. Another way would be to have a movable building over each hinge. At the other end, as mentioned above, alignment pins can be used, either wooden or metal. Another way I have seen is triangular notches and matching inserts to drop into them. A latch to hold it still is a good idea.
As mentioned in another post, I have often seen rerailers used each side ot the gaps to insure that any minor misalignment will be taken care of.
Good luck,
Richard
A sly and cunning trick for a lift or drop gate that crosses an access door is to have the hinges on the same side as the door hinges. That way the open door will protect the gate from inadvertent contact with passing pedestrians. (This assumes that the door swings into the layout space - like most doors in residences.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with no track across passageways)
My layout is in my garage where I also have to store all of my various tools. While not a swing gate per se, my 6’ long staging/storage peninsula is located directly behind and parallel to the back of the garage’s overhead sectional door. This peninsula connects to a corner of a helix structure so much of the garage door is blocked by the layout. To maintain acceptable access to the garage through the overhead door, I built the staging/storage peninsula to swing out of the way (toward the outside of the garage) when necessary. I used a 48" piano hinge to connect it to the helix structure frame and used small wheels to support the staging/storage peninsula when locked into place on the layout. Since the driveway is lower than the garage floor, the peninsula is supported only by the piano hinge when swung away from the layout. However, careful use of shear panels in the construction of the peninsula keep it from drooping or twisting. I cut small mounting plates from PC board material and tacked these to the layout decks either side of the gap between the helix structure and staging peninsula. I soldered the rails to these mounting plates as I laid track across this gap. Once the track was completely installed, I used a razor saw to cut through the rails at the gap. The piano hinge does a great job keeping the rails aligned.
This 54" tall, 6’ long and 10" wide peninsula holds two, three-track staging yards on two levels plus three, three-track storage shelves for extra rolling stock. Each of the storage shelves has arcylic sliding doors to keep dust off of the stored rolling stock. If I can successfully construct such a large swinging section, I would think that a small swing gate across a doorway would be relatively easy to build and remain reliable for the life of the layout. A swing gate has the advantage that it is permanently attached to the layout (meaning nobody can accidently drop it or put it down in the
i use a drop gate and planned the adjoining scenery around it for that purpose.