Dumb Newbie Question

Hi

 mine is around the wall and is nice ti be able to reach every thing with out braking things and winds to center of room.

Looks good!  I was thinking it would be nice to be able to reach things.....

I put up an annual Christmas garden in my shop. In past years, it has been a platform and guests could walk around the front and sides (last year it was away from the wall and they could walk all the way around.) You can see it if you go here, 2nd post down.

https://ogrforum.com/d...29#12129987960998029

This year, I decided to have them walk "into" the train garden. Just tonight, I spent the last 2 hours running trains by myslef, and I was "inside" the whole time. It was nice to walk from one end to the other, and front to back as the trains traveled the tracks. I could throw switches, and get close to all the action.

Not sure if I will ever do another one like it, but I am glad I tried it just once. The lift up to get in made it nice. You can go here if you want to see a couple of picts. It might help you make your decision. The post above this one will also give you some ideas. Greg 

https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/12129988025109476

It's prefered to be able to reach the trains, an acceptable reach is 30". Table could be more for scenery. Its the trains you have to reach.

I've read many books in planning my railroad (Westcott, Armstrong), around the wall is the preferred method, it affords more area for track, scenery. It allows you to "follow the train". It is the most efficient use of space. 

Here is link to a nice example of what can be done using around the wall. this is on a 12" shelf , in a 6x12 room. He has three videos of the shelf layout.

I think you'll enjoy it.

http://youtu.be/gaVjCzVxPJ0

I would simply suggest that you start out with a smaller layout before diving into construction of a large layout. A smaller layout is a more attainable goal and will give you experience towards planning and building a larger layout. With good planning, you can incorporate the smaller layout into a larger expanded layout.

sometimes people will build layouts with access holes in the middle of their layouts but they make a lid for the access hole and cover it with scenery so it blends in when not needed.

@Harry,

I'm very appreciative you put picture up. It looks like you made you layout using modules. What plans did you go by?

I think this photo sort of explains the why for a around the room design:

I use round-the-wall for better access to trains/scenery and better viewing. Very small attic layout of 9x16 with a piano hinged "drop section" to avoid ducking-under. I still able to use wide curve arcs of 084/096 and 072/084 in the 9' width. One side is --the Service Yard with Enginehouse and Towers is 41" wide and the other--will be the Village is 36". The Service Yard is a "reach" to the wall but I stand on my toolbox. Benchwork 42" high. I initially left the rear corners open for access if needed. Have since started placing scenery--a Sawmill in one and a Denim Mill in the other.

As seen in the side by side examples posted above, a properly designed around the room track plan will yield much longer mainline runs, more space for scenery, industries, sidings, staging areas, with no loss of aisle width. Additional staging can be positioned under the table which increases operations possibilities. A win win design.

Might consider picking up a copy of linn wescotts " how to build model railroad bench work" book. It would be indispensable in helping you in the bench work design(which is often overlooked)

Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Keep us posted please.

I started with the idea that I wanted as many square feet of layout as possible.  That was with transformer conventional, pre TMCC era.  Later realized how many different views there are when you can walk around control.  I think you can always add to the openings.  So start out around the walls and fill in if you want to later.  

One other tip, I started around age 35, 180 pounds.  Climbing around under tables, working on wires overhead & more has a different appeal 25 years later.

If you don't have access to the walls or want to use your walls for storage cabinets, you can plan a layout using 054 diameter curves and be able to reach everything on the layout utilizing a 5 foot wide table. But if your table is wider, you won't easily be

able to reach into the middle.  See the attached photo.  Lew Schneider

Thanks everyone!  This is excellent information.  It's actually made me change a few of my plans for my layout.   Much appreciated!