Hi Guys: I need ideas for a section in my layout(N scale)Along my wall in the garage I will be running down about 8 ft long and 15 inches wide. I then will have to run a return loop that will be about 3 ft X 3 ft. That part will have to be removed so I can get the truck in to park. I was thinking for that complete side of the layout to use that wire shelf stuff from home depot. The first part of the layout is a 48"X 96" (wood) when complete will be L shaped I hope I made myself clear Thanks UP Mike
UP Mike- I did a bunch of storage shelving at our previous home with that stuff. I used a brand named "Closet Maid." Very stout. Well made. But I seem to recall that it's a vinyl coated steel product. Eight feet might get a little heavy if you actually need to lift it completely out. Especially once there is track and scenery. Or will you be able to make it fold up against the wall? Perhaps a trip to the store to pick up a section that long, and see how awkward it is to handle? Other than possibly being a little hefty, it should work very well. Hope I understood your intent? BoxcabE50 [ 13 July 2002, 03:04: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
One fellow mounted those long ballbearing drawer slides, vertically on two of the wall 2x4's. He then made a steel shelf brace that mounted to the moving part of these slides, that looked like a "T", with the top screwed to the slide, and the leg sticking out into his garage. There was an aluminum plate (1/8 x 6 x 26) sandwiched between the two "T"'s and slides, to maintain the shelf level during travel up and down. (So it didn't get "cocked" and bind). He then used a boat winch to raise and lower this shelf. The ratchet holds the shelf up, and it comes down by its own weight. You could adapt this idea to raise the return loop up high enough to clear the truck, then lower it to run trains when desired. If you need longer travel than ball slides are available, use garage door roller track and 4 dollies the same way, mounted on the side of the 2x4's. The loose roller fit doesn't matter during raising and lowering, and locating pins will align track when down resting on the solid layout. You could go all the way up to the ceiling with this one. He had an extension cord for his light, that hung down between the wall studs out of the way. You could do the same thing by bundelling any necessary wiring required for the moving shelf. (It looked like the cabling hanging down in an elevator shaft).
3' by 3' is quite large to lift off when all the track and scenery is in place, so an idea might be to make the section as a sort of traverse where by the whole lot can be pulled out then lifted off. The two sections for the traverse could be hinged to either side of the main board. Just my thoughts on the rampage again. Good luck with it. Paul [ 13 July 2002, 12:59: Message edited by: Paul Templar ]
Thanks Guys: The lift out area is only going to be 3' X 3'. The hinged idea might work but what about the scenery, if I fold it up against the wall? Anybody got pictures?? Thanks UP Mike
Mike, Although my return loop is fixed the scenery covering the loop is removable to allow me access for maintenance and if I need access to a train.
