I think you are putting way too much into one room. Assuming that there is a wall on the left side of the room as well, you have no way to reach the parts of the H0 scale layout that are along that wall. This is a room where it would make a lot more sense to do the H0 scale layout as a narrow shelf point to point layout on the wall above your desk, along the left side of the room and along the window wall above the N scale layout (provided that it is not too high and too deep). Or do a 2 x 8 foot H0 scale layout down along the left wall. Or just to stay in N scale, and make that layout bigger instead.
There is a wall there, but I left it out for clarity. I don't think there will be much of an issue to worry about where reach is involved. I am 6'4" and my arm (from palm to 'pit) measures 3'. I can reach across my N scale 4x8 with no issues. I have already thought about that and don't really think it will be an issue. I have been wrong before though. I suppose that would be one thing I will just have to see about.
Ok Stein, you and my neighbor win lol. I have decided on a 28"x12' switching layout and now I have one question: how do I prevent a hollow core door from sagging and such? Would it be best to go with a solid plywood top instead of doors? My neighbor is going to give me the benchwork from his hcd layout and so I can either use free benchwork, or buy some plywood to put on top of the frames. What would you recommend?
Only if you want to increase weight and lower strength. The beauty of HCDs is that they are braced internally with intervowen cardboard strips or whatever they use - they are pretty resistant to flexing as is, while still staying low weight (since most of the interior is empty). Smile, Stein
That's true enough I suppose. I'm just worried about the possibility of the door sagging in spots and having weird dips in the track and such. Does that happen or am I being paranoid about a non existent issue?
You're just being paranoid. There's nothing to fear. Nothing to... er, hey... is that a black helicopter?!
My wife standing on a stepladder placed on top of a hollow core door (covered with brown paper to catch drips) placed across the stairwell in our home, while we were doing som fixing up work a few years ago: No, it did not flex or bend. Even though my wife is not a huge woman, she weights quite a bit more that model railroad tracks, locomotives and scenery Smile, Stein
Holy crap! I will just set aside my fears and keep on truckin' then! Thanks guys! I will post another thread when I start construction!
