mjrodg3n88 posted:Thanks, Tom.
Birch plywood, I assume?
John,
I can easily do 18", but by goodies I think you mean beer
My room is small, 100" x 117"
I like the beer thing. You are young and can do that. I had to give it up, because I was 80 lbs heavier in my beer days. :-)
Have you given any thought of designing a switching arrangement in your space? A lot of people seem focused on going round and round. A continuous run...
It is fun, entertaining and realistic to operate a switching layout. And the best thing would be you could have a shelf 2-feet wide extend around the perimeter--3 sides ONLY of your area in a "U" shape and you could walk right into the middle of it through the door. No ducking, crawling, access holes needed. You could buy either of the new MTH engines: 44 tonner or 0-4-0 steam switcher (or both!--two people could operate at the same time!) and create a realistic operation--like a board game.
If you feel that you want to have a continuous run, you have two options:
Option 1: fastrak on the floor that you can pick-up when done--easily move about.
Option 2: Build your switching layout about 30 inches high and operate while seated in a rolling chair--ideal. Build continuous loop overhead where you can nod-under (lower your head) and walk into the room while it circles above. It could be about 66 inches up where standing viewing would be the norm.
I'm going to offend sensitivities here so I'm treading as lightly as possible, but most guys grow weary of watching a train circle the same space--not all--but a lot. And, what is the train doing? What is its purpose? What will you or others be doing to interact with it?
I would respectfully suggest to you to consider other possibilities; like a switching arrangement around your walls. Your present track arrangement is going to be un-friendly as far as access/maintenance is concerned.
In your area, it would be exceptionally cool to pick a real railroad somewhere and base your switching operations off of reality or at least pattern your line based upon reality. You could arrange it so that two people could actually be controlling the trains versus watching them circle.
I'm big on: Plausibility, Purpose and Participation to maximize your enjoyment.
My two cents and butting in when I'm NOT asked...
