Hello and a very happy New Year to everyone, We have a relatively small basement full of unnecessary things that we gathered over the years. So for more than a month I have been busy going through everything in the basement by getting rid of a lot of stuff that we do not need and rearranging other stuff including my two tables of model train so that we would have a little more space to move around. I am happy that my tables have wheels so I can move them around. So I moved my tables to various locations and with different arrangement. Look at each one and took some pictures. I am attaching here few photos of an arrangement that would give me some space. Please take a good look at them and share with me what do think? Would it be easy and practical? Should I change them? I deeply appreciate your kind help and support on this. Thank you so much. Mo
I think photo #3 is the best. Looks like plenty of room in the front, and if needed, plenty of room to roll it out to get to the back too.
Agree. And if that's an escape window behind the louvers, you want to keep access clear. Nice benckwork, BTW...
I agree with the majority, 3 looks best. Combining the two layouts seems to be a good idea, but I would do this such that both layouts remain independent. Once I had the idea to build a small "industry layout" and combine it with my other "loop around" layout. The industry layout never happened, now I build the new layout in a separate room in the basement.
All the 3 pictures are just one Hi, Maybe I did not explain myself on those pictures. They are all for the same arrangement and I took each in a different angle. I do have pictures of more different kind of arrangements if you would like to see them. Thanks for all your support. Mo
Hello Mo, I feel better. I thought my vision was so bad that I could not tell the difference but I think because I see a smaller area I felt it was the same arrangement. That and your excellent grammar "an arrangement" meaning one was key. I guess we are not sure what you are asking. If you are asking about the table arrangement then yes, an "L" shape is the most popular. This is true for a few reasons. One is ergonomics. Another is as you turn your head other scenes go out of sight. On a "end to end" arrangement most folks can generally see the entire layout. It may also require you to walk further to take care of things such as re-railing a train or throwing a turnout or local power switch. Is there any way you can give us a photo taken from near the ceiling? Hope this helps. Steve - whose limited vision sometimes sees things differently.
Thanks Steve and here we go Hi Steve, I have just posted some photos on: 01042010 - moshken's Photos Please let me know what do you think and what is you idea on how to connect the new layout with the old one. Thanks. Mo
How deep is your table? Looks like a fair stretch of the arms. Will these be away from, or up against a wall? Boxcab E50
Why don't you use the arrangement in photo 3. Move the bench work away from both walls so you can access all sides of the layout. Photo's one and two are on different walls than photo 3.
Thanks Bob Hi Bob, Yes, you are right and it was my mistake to post photo 3. I took it off. As I mentioned before for some reason they built our basement a little bit too small so what I did I moved the two tables around to give me the best available space. That's what photo 1 and 2 showing. Now I have to figure out how to reconnect the tracks on these two table together. If you have any idea please do let me know. Thank you so much for all your help and support. Mo
New photo of the new arrangement Hi, Attached please find a photo of how I came to combine both my table in a new shape. Please let me know what do you think. Thanks. Mo
Why don't you use the dead end siding to attach the layout on the left to your old layout obn rhe right. That way you don't have to span two tracks. That route from the new layout to the siding will now lead into your tunnel on the far right of the layout. Where it goes from there I don't know, but that track out of the tunnel must lead to other parts of your old layout. Just a thought to simplify things.
Thanks Bob Hi Bob, Thank you for taking time and giving me your feedback. Bob, I did not get your point and I hope if you don't mind and have some time to draw what do you mean. I deeply appreciate that. With all the best. Mo
Moshen We both started with the same basic N-18 layout. I extended the siding starting from the #4 switch and ran it up the length of layout. I built a short extension on the side of the #7-8 switch and connected into the expansion from that end. The first picture will show where and the second will show how and where.