Newbie: Layout Depth???

[Cheetah20]

Ok....
I've changed to 3 rooms now to put my layout.....
even on the verge (as a new comer) to bail the whole thing...scared:cry:
lol

Ok...this will be the spot for me to do it...BUT
is 24" in depth BIG enough?????? (could go a touch deeper)
and I do have 8' in length !!!

what do you guys think?

Thanx
Bill

 

[Cannonball]

If you can throw in an extra foot or two on the witdh and make it a 3x8 or 4x8, you could have one heck of a nice layout. 2x8 will work but it will be narrow. I guess it also depands on if you are going to focus on switching operations or want a continuous run. If you're doing mainly switching 2x8 will work but if you want a continuous loop or two, you're gonna need that extra couple of feet.

 

[bill937ca]

You will need more than 24" if you decide to go with a Kato viaduct.

http://www.nscaledivision.com/images/Kato Images/KATO V2 Track Set.jpg

 

[umtrr-author]

Even if you could tack on another six inches, it would make a big difference in keeping the track away from the edge of the layout.

Make sure that no matter what you're going with, you can physically reach each part of the layout, as I'd mentioned on a previous thread.

 

[woodone]

Like stated above- you must be able to reach the track, for maintance, derailed trains( I know you will never have a derailment) but someone could bump the layout and cause an earthquake! Then you have a tran on the ground.
If the layout is against a wall, about 30" will be about max. It will depend on how high the layout is and how tall you are. There is a limit to what you can do when you are stretched out over your layout as what you can work on.

 

[Cannonball]

( I know you will never have a derailment)

 

[davidstrains]

Two feet is okay if you are doing small engines and rolling stock. The longer locos, freights and pax cars will have a lot of overhang on those curves. If you can make the ends 3'-4' as suggested you will be able to turn those trains in style. and it will give you a more scenery area. As mentioned above access to the far corners is a necessity if you put track there.

 

[Cheetah20]

Ok...guys get it!!!
I can go deeper...........but the it takes away from the actual ROOM.
So......the minimum for a GOOD layout depth is = ??????????

 

[Cannonball]

Ok...guys get it!!!
I can go deeper...........but the it takes away from the actual ROOM.
So......the minimum for a GOOD layout depth is = ??????????

I would say minimum is 3 feet.
Just get a hollow 3x6 interior door from Lowe's or Home depot.
That's been the start of many a layout and will be for my Scenic Ridge as well.

 

[COMBAT]

Some of my areas are 12" deep and some as deep as 30".
My room is 22 by 12 feet so you have to decide your self. I am unclear of what you are building for sure soooo maybe I am not the best to be giving advice.

Good luck!

 

[davidstrains]

Ideally, the measure is what you can comfortably reach without destroying anything on your layout. I use mostly 24", but on 3 corners I have a 36" depth. To reach the far corners without damaging trees or buildings I built a 2'x2'x6" portable riser out of some scrap lumber and plywood, that I can move out from under the layout if I need to do anything in the corners.

 

[nolatron]

Depends on if you are building an island, along the walls, or shelf layout etc... I don't think you mentioned what style layout it is.

I'm building a shelf layout that 15" deep along 3 walls. 15" in N-scale, to me, is plenty deep for a scene without over doing it on having to feel with scenery.

But that's just me

Edit: Just to add my layout is also a point-2-point double deck with a helix in a little alcove.

 

[MasonJar]

Coupla thoughts...

If you do not need to include a reverse loop, then depth can be "shallower".

At best, reach for most people on a layout that is waist high (give or take) is 24" - 30".

Large radius curves (up to ~40") CAN fit on 24" wide shelves (as long as you are not trying to make a reversing loop ).

If it helps, think about it in terms of scale feet. A 12" shelf in Nscale gives you 160 feet of "real world" depth. Given that the ROW is only ~20 feet wide, that's quite a bit of room. A 24" shelf is well over 300 scale feet deep. Lotsa room...!

Hope that helps. And welcome to The Gauge!

Andrew

 

[Cheetah20]

I think I'll go with the 8' in length and the 30" depth .....
(I may make it movabale -castors)

Thanx alot guys for your input.....
I'll take it ALL lol