Mark Boyce posted:George,
Yes I am able to pick out the aisle areas and see that the different colored areas are really one big, long space. Please refresh my memory from the previous plan. Are the red spaces pop-up access holes? As I recall, the area to the right of the large mill is staging for trains and also single engines in the corners. Are there some areas around the mill that you won't be able to reach easily once the mill is in place, or will it be removable? It looks to me like your adjusted, previous plan works out nicely in the new, long space.
Mark,
Yes, the red areas are pop-up access holes, either hatches or hand-only. The area to the right of the mills (there's a divider there that might be difficult to see) is for staging and engine storage. I also intend to install some shelving on the walls and / or back of the divider / backdrop in that area. Not shown in the staging area is the small window near the ceiling that may be used to help vent smoke / heat during operating sessions.
Not all of the red areas are visible in the diagram; some of them are under the largest mill (Open Hearth, that's 2nd from the bottom of the layout). My intent is to have all mill spurs within easy reach. Ideally, I don't want to be lifting large mills in/out of position. And with a layout height of 4', I can simply roll under there and retrieve / fix what goes astray.
Thank you, I also believe the adjustments are working out as well. The longer new space does lend itself to the original design pretty well.
George
