This is in regard to preferences about tables being in the middle of the room with walk around space on the outside of it, or having it all the way around the room with walk thru space in the middle? Which is your preference, and why?
My last post was about table height and got a great number of responses! Thank you.
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It would be highly relevant to first define the size of the room, your preferred minimum radius standards, "permanent" vs portable/modular, and type of layout (shelf or continuous run, etc).
Around the room.. Period. You get more running space for the space of room used up. Somewhere on the forum is a breakdown of each and how the usable space is better on the ATR layout.
I had a huge able setup in the "train shed" before we decided to do a parital ATR. It took up lots of space, I had to squeeze around it... and all of my usable space for other stuff was gone. Glad that I did the partial L shaped ATR with loops on each end.
Check out my sig for photos/examples of what I'm talking about. Mine is 12x16 and with a 4x12 table in the middle it was tight. I like the way I have it now much better.
Just my 2cents.
Brian
Around the room if you don't have to duck under. When I rebuilt my layout for around the room I spent the most time designing a easy to use and reliable gate. Around the room allows for the largest possible curves which looks best when running large, scale locomotives.
Around the walls is the most efficient use of space. Here's an example with the benchwork divided into separate modules. In a really large room, the central area can be used for peninsulas that extend out from the around-the-walls portion of the layout.
Jim
A smaller table layout design requires mostly circular loops with harder-to-reach centers while an around-the-room "shelf" layout allows for longer curves, easier reaches, reverse loops, multiple over/under grade opportunities and more scenery space.
Around-the-room!
I have had both Island and R-T-W types during the past 30 years[now dismantled] and found far more enjoyment with the round-the-wall. Curently I am reduced to building a 9 x 16 "Senior Citizens" layout in a 9+ x 19 attic space. One benchwork side is 42 inches wide, admittedly a "reach" to work at the wall unless standing on my toolbox, but necessary space for the dual main and the Service Yard I wanted.. The other side, to be the "Villiage", is 36" wide. I have a dual track mainline with 072/084 one end and 084/096 on the other.
I have a center space walkway/workway at a little over 30"wide, the benchwork is 42"high. To avoid a "duckunder" I recycled an old Jim Barrett designed, piano hinged "Drop Section" from another layout that closes and opens on spring-loaded catches that I activate with an underneath lever. The Drop Section is located in the dual 72/084 curve 3' back from the room entrance. [A "Lift Bridge" would also work if made wide enough to accommodate the curves]. The layout's far end corners have triangle openings that can be lifted out but will be mostly permanent. For that reason one corner is to have a Textile Mill and the other a Sawmill/Lumber Yard---both have spur tracks off the straight at the beginning of the 096 end curves.
Because topside room is scarce, my power center is mounted vertically on a wall under the layout near the entrance. Up top controls are a Cab 1, track schematic with SPST toggles that control the 17 Tortoise turnout motors,a mounting of panel meters and Power Guards. The bench worktop here is plexiglas so I can see the LEDs on the PowerHouses,Command Base and TPCS mounted below.
My sidewalls are only 13" high, from top of benchwork to beginning of kneewall rafter pitch. I painted everything above the bench sky blue and I am installing 13"h x 8' long Masonite panels both sides with industrial velcro so as to remove later for backdrop treatment. Probably have some bulding fronts and some mural painting while the panels are off resting on an easel. Gargraves Flextrack is laid, part of railsides rust painted and track glue-ballasted and wiring is completed. however The layout is in total disarray as I deal with various projects including the velro-ed panels and corner scenes.
Small area to be sure and no long coal trains will run. But a layout I can maintain and run trains on and best of all, don't have to duckunder ["crawlunder" actually, at my age].
An around the room layout gives you more layout for the same dimensions. You also get thinner (less deep) areas where the track and backdrop are closer to the modeler. This style also tends to eliminate those 3', 4', and 5' areas that are unreachable and have no "action" in them.
George
My Drop Section for access is sort of disguised as a Thru Plate Girder Bridge. Curves in bridge are 072/084.
Absolutely, without question - AROUND THE ROOM!
More efficient use of space, more options for scenery and bridges, gets away from the multiple concentric loop approach to layout design, benchwork (L-Girder of course) is easier to build, there is more room for people to enjoy the layout...and many other reasons.
Tom Tee
Very nice fabrication work and installation. That plan makes a lot of sense as regards access and as a base for the railroad operation.
Thank you very much everyone! In regards to size, the room is 12ft X 18ft.
I really appreciate the drawing compairison and pictures. Thank you ALL for getting me settled on around the room! Really appreciate all the responses and your time. What a great way to get feedback!
Definitely around the room.
Here's my current plan in an 11.5x12 room with an 8' extension (yard) on the left side:
The section of track at a 45 degree angle is a liftout for access. This provides me with the ability to "build up distance" by running the loop a few times before I pull into the inner track to switch cars. With the liftout off, I can still perform switching.
Below the yard is storage for my rolling stock so I can make up and breakdown trains. The Wye is used to turn the engine around to head back to the yard.
I've found I can spend a good deal of time switching cars around the lineside industries I have. It takes some doing to breakdown the train once it arrives and putting one together to get it back to the yard and "offline". My operations may not be very prototypical, but it's a lot of fun plus I can sit back and just watch the train run.
Tom Tee, great cantilevered supports you've built, very sturdy looking.
I have what I would call bookshelves under the edge of my layout. This gives me more storage room behind the shelves (and under the layout) plus a lot of display area for whatever I want.
With a 12x18 room like you have you have all the makings of a great ATR layout!!!
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