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Viewing some of the layouts here at the OGR forum, and elsewhere, including some lighter weight construction HO/N scale layouts at other forums and sites, I see that quite a few are on wheels, presumably to provide access to the back sides for layouts that are situated against a wall. Makes good sense...we can only realistically reach 30" -- or even less -- across the layout, and if there are no access hatches (which sure seem cumbersome to me), how else can you reach the rear of your layout unless you can roll it away from the wall to work on the back?

 

My question to any of you who've used wheels on your layouts (or are considering them for a layout yet to be built): What do you suppose might be the maximum length a layout could be if it's on wheels, and still be manageable to roll out for rear access...either to get underneath to work on wiring, or to work on the back side's track and scenery, or to get at a derailed train, etc.? 

 

I have two different basement locations where I can locate a layout. One could accommodate a modest 4-1/2' or 5' wide x 14' long, pushed against two walls (so against a wall on both the entire back side as well as one end), or another slightly less desirable location where I could go larger and manage a 4-1/2' wide x 20' long with only the entire back side against a wall. The 14' long layout might be able to be on wheels (not that I'd go rolling it all around the basement floor, of course...just to access the rear for working on it). Doesn't seem realistic that a 20' long layout could possible be on wheels...too heavy to roll away from the wall, too much chance of the benchwork being stressed or bending when pulled on, etc.

 

Any remarks from from those of you who've worked with benchwork on wheels?

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Hi This is my nscale layout. It is about 16 x 3 with a 4x8 extension. The whole thing is on heavy duty casters And rolls around the room easily for access. I even put a laminate floor and subfloor down after its contruction because I just moved it to one side of the room While working on the other.

 

rick

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I used an old 4'x8' dining table and put 3"castors with locks on it. I have now expanded it to 6'x12' and put castors on those legs as well. The transformer table is an old living room table with 2" castors on it.

This works very well and let's this 67 yo. roll the table out 18" from the wall to work on the back side by myself.

I bought all the castors at Harbor Freight for very cheap prices.

This is still in the beginning stage of creating the layout on top so wiring etc is temporary.

Azgary

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These are definitely encouraging replies.

 

A fellow at the hardware store suggested that I just be sure to not use too small of a wheel size, especially on a carpeted surface, because the weight of the layout will naturally make the wheels press down into the carpet and make it all the harder to start sliding the layout away from the wall. A medium or larger wheel size will be less likely to burrow into the carpet from just sitting there all the time. Made sense.

 

Each of these layouts above look mighty neat -- darn good sizes, and yet you all say they're workable on wheels. I was feeling a little skeptical before (though I was certain that a layout on wheels was the way I had to go for access) but now I think I'm convinced and can proceed with my plans.

And now on another visit to the hardware store (non-train-related purchases, sadly) the same clerk, who I think may be a train guy himself, volunteers that I should re-think wheels altogether and instead plan on sufficiently sized legs (i.e. thick enough) that I can adhere those slick furniture slide pads onto. Suggests that I'll be happier that way than with wheels.


Decisions, decisions... 

Take a look at commercial grade ball wheels\casters. They won't hang like a standard caster wheel when it needs to pivot or change direction.

 

The other consideration is framing. You'll definitely need stronger framing and perhaps diagonal supports for the legs.

 

We are working on an 11 x 17 restoration project for a museum. The director thinks it may need to moved when in it's display location and has asked us to consider wheels. It's all 1" x 4 framing with 2" x 4" legs and is 4 levels high. Ok for static, but not for moving. You can see a shot of us relocating it in the building we have use of for the restoration. We rigged a stretcher of 2 x 4's to hold it and used a tool cart, a dolly and a chair to move it about 150' (yeah, big building)

 We are still wresting with a method to get some wheels under it, but there are too many other tasks.

Last edited by Moonman

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