That’s the problem i have it’s not up against the wall it’s actually in the center of the storage area of the basement. The imovable objects i have are the basement support posts and they’re just under 8 feet apart with the 8’x’8 layout i’m going to have to build the second table with notches in the table to go around the posts. a 10’ long table with a foot extra on each side of the posts can be done but all the storage space along the back and one side of the table has to be removed and found a new place for and it’ll also start to move into the laundry area of the basement that’s where the hard sell on a 8x10 would be. Been cleaning that basement out for 11 months now and over 60% of what was there is gone now and still no where near done. The layout i have now had stuff on it since the eairly 80’s and that layout is as it is now has been there since the 70’s when i father built it part of the reason i want to rebuild it. A minimal will have to still be stored under the tables but have to rethink where i’m going to put all that i am keeping right now have alot stored in the work shop area of my basement that’s gota come back over to the train section once it’s completed too. Was looking through train books at pics and saw some zig zag that real trains use and was toying with that idea too but wanted to look into it more. Again not looking for big trains think the most i’ve pulled at once a few times was 7 or 8 cars and that was just to use what i had and test power loads with the cars to find the limit. The big problem i have it i like steam so pulling a tender which adds length to the train but does nothing really. There are a few local Desels i’m thinking about getting too.
Don’t let those support posts “hem” you in. Incorporate them (water tower with red and white checks at top, concrete coal tipple…), or hide them under a mountain that rises to the ceiling. ( I masked my support column behind a rocky ridge with old ceiling tile).
First thing you might want to do is get that layout about 40" off the basement floor. A) Brings choo-choos closer to eye level B) Reduces the vertical area you are trying to cover C) Provides storage area beneath (got any old cabinets…?) D) Makes wiring a whooooole lot easier…
Yeah saw someone did that and was planning on doing something like that some how. That part of the layout is going to be the upper level so will prob be about 45"-50" off the ground. The low end is only 29.25 inches high and that is low want to bring that up also want to reinforce it since my dad built it not as a tradional table but supported the 4’x8’ plywood with strips of wood and used wooden horses at each end for the feet. So i want to take the top plywood off and build a proper table frame to put it on. would like to get it up to atleast 36" off the ground.