While I am a year round hobbyist, the o-gauge trains only come out for two months during the holiday season. I'm exploring the idea of upgrading from a village at the base of my Christmas tree to a semi-permanent layout during the holidays.
The main issue is space: I want to operate two loops with the outside loop being O-72. Therefore I figure I need 7-foot-wide layout (6 in of clearance for overhang on curves). Of the only two feasible places for the layout, my basement is the top choice. This said, there needs to be access to the back of the basement for access to laundry room.
One design that I have is a "Compact-able" take on modular layouts. Essentially, half the width of the layout would be on benchwork and the second half would be on saw-horses while in use. When not in use, the second half would slide onto shelves underneath the first half. The layout would be sectioned into 2' sections to make it easy to slide underneath (overall length TBD). The pieces that slide underneath would have track attached and some scenery but nothing that would be easily broken/ inhibit the sections from being moved. The pieces would have a locking system to keep them together while in use so they don't separate.
Has anyone tried anything like this before? Is there anything I may be overlooking?
I realize that having a "around the perimeter loop" with lift out bridges is probably the easiest thing way to have a layout with large curves without blocking access or taking up too much space. That said, I still want to explore the idea listed above and would like if feedback stayed centered around that.
I truly appreciate any advise/thoughts/ideas, one of my favorite things about model railroading (besides the trains themselves) is the design aspect of the hobby and I'm looking forward to have a discourse about this idea!
