Planning Problem

Marshall,

Just to get an idea of your situation, and disregarding the oval I created, is this a close representation of the space you have? (Click on the picture for correct proportions.)

Alex

See my Hidden Pass Junction RR layout under construction here:

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/2415514336550790

YES!  That is very close.  The door for the closet (NE corner) is a little further south on that wall.  And i have removed the door so I won't need to make room for the door to swing. (I will put in a curtain). I also wonder if your very clever method of putting your pop-ups on a pillar that can raise up would work for my lift-out sections?  

Marshall,

Yes! There have been posts (more than one, IIRC) that show what you are describing; i.e., a lift out section (to gain access to the center of the layout from an aisle) on two pillars or posts; one at each end. My hatches are smaller in comparison to what a lift-out section normally would be, and the two posts, vs. just one, make it more stable. 

Alex

Marshall, one solution to the closet that I saw is to remove the door from the closet and set it up with display shelves or incorporate it into the layout.

I may run a siding into the closet but it is pretty much full of "stuff".  I do plan on taking the door off (I have already done so) and I will store it in the attic.  Looks like we are thinking along the same lines...

One thing to consider is that if you make an around the room layout, you can gain all sorts of storage space under the track if you hang curtains or something to hide what's underneath.  Put it all in storage containers so it stays neat and dust free.  Perhaps you can empty the closet that way?

In a somewhat similar room, I made a lift-out section in front of a utility room that I do not enter often (it's not that easy to remove the lift-out), and a drop-down in front of the entry door.  The drop-down is actually a double high bridge, single track on each level.

So far, both bridges are working out.  It was not easy to make the lift-out because the tracks curve and the ends and there are three tracks.  In order to make sure the rails stayed curved, I poured epoxy and more or less cast them into position.

Mike

OK

I have an outside the box solution to your problem.  The closet in the aforementioned room is probably on an interior wall.  How about closing off the closet in that room and adding a new door in the adjacent room to access it.  It may take a bit of construction but you gain an entire wall and you dont have to add a lift out or duck under because the closet is no longer there.

Also you may want to have the door to the room open out instead of in.

Regards,

Ed

I had a pocket door put in my train room. it saved a bunch of space. if you go that route

use a wood not hollow core door for better "slide"