REACHING OVER THE LAYOUT

I need one of those !!!  How much and can we get a deal on two ???

lol...I wish, but it does look like it will work just right.

I have one and I would rate it as so-so!  One of my issues is that I have 30 "aisles in my layout and the wide stance of the base does not allow movement in the aisles.  So the only place I can use it is across the front of the table and it works somewhat but I fine the large unit more of a nuisance to pull out and use.

IMO is looks better than it performs.

Dick

I built my 8x24 table with small rollers on the feet to be able to move it around. I always fear as I add more and more to the layout the weight of the table may actually  be stressing the more I move it around to get to the back side.

I have one and it works great. Couldn't get to a number of areas in the layout without it. Works especially well as there are areas on my layout that have scenery and/buildings and I can't step in those areas so being above them works well. 

Jerrman

Can you let me know where to get ?

Have a friend with one. It "works", but has some stability issues, as I recall. He is a big guy - not fat, but big, so heavy - and he says that it feels a bit tipsy. But it works, and has never actually "tipped". 

Better to build the layout so that you can reach everything - yeah, and in a perfect world I'd have been born rich, too. 

I'd vote for rebuilding the layout to not exceed three feet in depth against a wall or six feet wide if you have access all around! ��

Or just buy the contraption you found and try avoid any trips to the ER from falling of that medieval device!!!

The layout is   -4- sided and I have  a "Top Side creeper" as shown in the middle , it is a real asset, All points can be reached. A good buy IMO. You do need a lot of room for this sucker to be a good benefit.

Brent

Lol Medieval device...that's a good one.  I would say late Medieval or early Renaissance.  Well looks like most opinions are positive in nature.  I believe I'll get one coming.  I just want to say, all of you guys with large basement s and plenty of room, count your blessings everyday.

OK I am playing the devils advocate as usual.You avoid this problem when you design the layout.Provide for access to your layout in front in back and at least one side when you design it.If you have room for this obnoxious piece of equipment on the front,then you had room to leave a space in back.Good night.Nick

Planning ahead takes all the fun out of it........

I have a Top Side Creeper and love it.  I am sad to say that I am just above 300lbs and have never felt unsafe even at the out most reaches.  I believe they are about $240. + shipping, no breaks on multiple purchases.  Well built.  I had to have one.  Legs are a bit cumbersome as they flair out as they get further away from the ladder and must fit under the layout by at least 4'.  Can fold up to slide under your layout if there is enough clearance under the layout.  Mine hugs my hot water heater perfectly.  Get one, you won't be sorry.  I got mine through MicroMark.

Paul Edgar

Well I come in at 200 pounds so it should work just fine.  And as for the devils advocate, if I left enough room for me to get on the back side of my layout i would not be able to have 072 curves.  Nah, I like operating big locomotives too much.

At Micronesia they are $ 259.95 plus shipping.

http://www.micromark.com/topsi...ort-system,8854.html

Sean

D500 posted:

Have a friend with one. It "works", but has some stability issues, as I recall. He is a big guy - not fat, but big, so heavy - and he says that it feels a bit tipsy. But it works, and has never actually "tipped". 

Better to build the layout so that you can reach everything - yeah, and in a perfect world I'd have been born rich, too. 

Suggest he look at the following post on improvements I made to the TSC:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...the-top-side-creeper

John,

Outstanding suggestions!  I will be doing that to mine as well.  I am a machinist, so those improvements will be no problem.

Mr UP,

    I have not needed one yet but man I am getting close, how tall does that baby go?  Will it reach over my Multi-Level stuff?

PCRR/Dave

Holy Cow!!!  Two Z-40000's and a ZW, wow very nice...yes it should go plenty high enough it is really mad for getting over diesel engines in trucks.

I don' think you will come very close to the far side. I would get measurements first and try to plan it out.

rockstars1989 posted:

OK I am playing the devils advocate as usual. You avoid this problem when you design the layout. Provide for access to your layout in front in back and at least one side when you design it. If you have room for this obnoxious piece of equipment on the front,then you had room to leave a space in back.

Seriously, I think he said it all, there!

My layout was specifically designed so I could reach any spot on it, just in case because that one area you just can't reach will be where things happen that you need to get to.

I agree, but what's done is done.  I ain't about to tear down and start over.

Wellllll...... either one of those, or a carefully trained orangutan with the reach they have. . . . . .

Mr UP,

    When the larger layout was up and running we had 4 ZW's, 2 KW's and a Z4K on the power station or under the platform, with 2 DCS TIU's. No Legacy at that time.

PCRR/Dave

I purchased my Topside Creeper from a forum member, Marty F. who could not use it around his layout. Made a few modifications, added swivel casters, drilled extra holes for finer height adjustment and it supports my 235+lbs with no problem. It stores under my layout when folded down and I have a passageway to roll it from inside to outside the layout.

C.C. Northern, now that's what I'm talking about.  That looks like it works great to me and like you I will hide it under the layout.  Cape Cod, I hope to make it there one day, I hear it is really nice.

Better to build the layout so that you can reach everything........ 

Well, one might just think that taking that concept under serious consideration could be considered a positive idea given all of the variables involved, not the least of which might be our own physical limitations.