Seeing this post
https://ogrforum.com/...6#154307984039608476
reminded me of one of the layouts my younger brother and I built when we were teenagers. My Dad had a large pool table in our basement that didn't leave much room for a decent sized train layout. So for our layout we built a lightweight frame big enough for two 4' x 8' plywood sheets placed end to end and suspended it from the unfinished floor joists above on ropes and pulleys. In the down position the layout rested on the pool table which kept it from swaying. When anyone wanted to play pool, we would simply raise the train layout up to the ceiling and tie off the rope to a cleat on the wall. We placed taller buildings and structures so that when raised, they went in between the joists.
Sorry if this concept has been discussed here before, but a quick search showed only fixed suspensions. Maybe this idea will help someone find more space for their layout.
