MOD: Split from the  AMRM June 2016 thread - it's now on topic  - DThead

I'm already starting to feel the errors of my decisions to have 2 duck-unders to gain access to the operating area of the layout and I wonder how I will cope in 10 or 20 years time. I hear you Roachie!  I'm a fair ways off from 60, but once I walked into my previous layout instead of ducking under it (sadly as it was being dis-assembled) I swore to myself - never again!

The duck-under is seductively attractive but it would really have to offer a lot to the layout to make me consider one again.

I built a lift up bridge section at the entry doorway, best thing ever. I had a fellow group member fit it for me as he has one on his layout, while mine is only a single track, his has 3 tracks & he has nice low relieve scenery over it as well.

Another fellow in the group a double curved section that also is protected by track circuit either side of the bridge that has a dead section when the bridge is lifted by others entering.  Have seen several others that are also similar, Alan Brown has one that is also track circuited & also an excellent one.

Once seen how they are constructed, its not that hard but there are a couple of be awares in making them especially with the alingnment.

I'm already starting to feel the errors of my decisions to have 2 duck-unders to gain access to the operating area of the layout and I wonder how I will cope in 10 or 20 years time. I hear you Roachie!  I'm a fair ways off from 60, but once I walked into my previous layout instead of ducking under it (sadly as it was being dis-assembled) I swore to myself - never again!

The duck-under is seductively attractive but it would really have to offer a lot to the layout to make me consider one again.I built a lift up bridge section at the entry doorway, best thing ever. I had a fellow group member fit it for me as he has one on his layout, while mine is only a single track, his has 3 tracks & he has nice low relieve scenery over it as well.

Another fellow in the group a double curved section that also is protected by track circuit either side of the bridge that has a dead section when the bridge is lifted by others entering.  Have seen several others that are also similar, Alan Brown has one that is also track circuited & also an excellent one.

Once seen how they are constructed, its not that hard but there are a couple of be awares in making them especially with the alingnment.

Yes, the 2 sections I have where one is above the other are both curved sections. The upper one is a single track and aligns by itself. However, the lower one is double track and longer/wider.....so I find that it is necessary, in order to get perfect alignment, to have slide-across fishplates (4 off), otherwise the tracks can be a mm or so out of alignment.

As such, it becomes a nuisance to lift the lower deck....I have to duck under anyway in order to reach the joins where the fishplates are used; hence I hardly ever bother lifting the sections unless I have to carry something large through the opening.

I did try in the initial stages to have the lower section be self aligning....and I can get it pretty damned close; just not quite close enough to be "perfect".

Both upper an lower sections are protected by electrical isolation sections on the joint end, but not necessary on the hinged end as an errant train will simply run into the raised bridge. Whilst not ideal, it's nowhere near as bad as the 1.2 or 1.5 meter drop to the floor that would be possible at the other end!

Bill
You should consider a walk - around layout where your benchwork is not against the walls - best thing ever I did to my layout.

Regards

Bill
You should consider a walk - around layout where your benchwork is not against the walls - best thing ever I did to my layout.

Regards

True, but my problem is that I still need to use the "middle" of the shed to store my son's Supra and a trailer...hence the need to keep the layout against the walls and also the reason why I have a 6 meter long lift-up section controlled by an electric hoist and pulleys etc.

Bill
You should consider a walk - around layout where your benchwork is not against the walls - best thing ever I did to my layout.

Regards

True, but my problem is that I still need to use the "middle" of the shed to store my son's Supra and a trailer...hence the need to keep the layout against the walls and also the reason why I have a 6 meter long lift-up section controlled by an electric hoist and pulleys etc.

.......It sounds like you need another shed.  Either one for the Supra/trailer or one for the new walk around layout.

Happy building,

John

PS; What has this got to do with AMRM, I'm confused?

Bill
You should consider a walk - around layout where your benchwork is not against the walls - best thing ever I did to my layout.

Regards

"Walk around" means no duck-unders and able to follow your train from end to end, not an island.  I have walk around and lots of it is hanging on to the walls.
Mark

Hmmm...I always thought that "walk-around" meant that you weren't tied to a central control panel to operate the layout.... IE: you have the means to use a throttle/controller which is either tethered or wireless in order to be able to "walk around" the layout (regardless of how it is configured) and able to throw switches/points etc as you go.

In the "old days" we had DC layouts that had one or more central panel/s where the good old H&M controller was located. If you didn't have electric points, you were continually walking from the control panel to where the train was located to throw a point in order to back up onto a siding for shunting purposes etc.

I don't think a lot of us remember (or have ever experienced) how far the hobby has come with DCC etc.

Roachie

PS: I know this is off-topic (regarding AMRM June issue), but I inadvertently started it by commenting on an article regarding layout sizes. Sorry....I won't say any more on the subject.

Hmmm...I always thought that "walk-around" meant that you weren't tied to a central control panel to operate the layout.... IE: you have the means to use a throttle/controller which is either tethered or wireless in order to be able to "walk around" the layout (regardless of how it is configured) and able to throw switches/points etc as you go.

In the "old days" we had DC layouts that had one or more central panel/s where the good old H&M controller was located. If you didn't have electric points, you were continually walking from the control panel to where the train was located to throw a point in order to back up onto a siding for shunting purposes etc.

I don't think a lot of us remember (or have ever experienced) how far the hobby has come with DCC etc.

Roachie

PS: I know this is off-topic (regarding AMRM June issue), but I inadvertently started it by commenting on an article regarding layout sizes. Sorry....I won't say any more on the subject.

Roachie,

At our club we have a 14.5m x 6.0m room for our layout(s).  We have agreed to do an E shaped layout with return curves on the ends of each leg of the letter.  Maybe it should be called a "walk in" layout - no duckunders or opening bridges are required.  Mainly because most of our members are 70+ and have knee and back issues.

Happy layouting,

John

PS; That's OK Roachie - we are all entitled to wander - my last post on this off-topic.

Bill
You should consider a walk - around layout where your benchwork is not against the walls - best thing ever I did to my layout.

Regards

"Walk around" means no duck-unders and able to follow your train from end to end, not an island.  I have walk around and lots of it is hanging on to the walls.
Mark

Mark - I think your right - Island Layout is probably the correct term than what I said with "walk around".

Regards
Shelton