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Building the big one


cooped

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Hi So, we've just had our basement finished and I've secured an area about 15' x 12' to build a nice layout. I've learned a few lessons from the 4' x 8' layout I built, which runs nicely, but I'm still to finish the scenery for my son to use. The space I have is basically a corner of the basement, there's a half wall around 2 sides with a 3' opening (way in) on the 15' half wall. My idea right now is to have a loop around the outside of the whole area with a lift out section crossing the way in opening. I'm thinking right now of using some basic kitchen cabinets as the support structure. The width on top will be 3 - 4' so there should be room behind the cabinets to get in to wire up from, but I am aware that doing this will make wiring a challenge so I'm going to have to think carefully before I start. What are your thoughts on this? Also I'm not sure if I want to just use a flat board to build on or whether I should do open frame. Again any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Let the fun begin! Dan
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15' x 12' Wow - I'd be in heaven if I had this amount of space. Seriously, you are going to get alot of suggestions and questions on this question. Would this not be the time to go digital? It would certainly make the wiring a little simpler. You mention an access gap, I think RM or BRM June issue has an article of building a "flap" with full wiring issues. Kitchen base units would be ideal, although they are usually only 600cm deep, but it would give you ample storage, and depending how you fit either a flat board or open frame, would give you plenty of access for wiring. There are a huge number of plans for this size of layout - this size space must be about the ideal - sorry I'm still dreaming - best of luck. [color=#888888; font-style: italic]cooped said:[/color]
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Thanks, bulliedboy. Definately going to be digital. The 4' x 8' I made so I can switch between DC and DCC. I can also run live steam if I want. Don't think I'll be running DC on the big one but I do want to make sure I can run my live steam if I want to. I'm probably going to make a framework of 2x4s on top of the cabinets to support the layout which will extend beyond the width of the cabinets to give me up to 4' wide. Unfotunately I'm not able easily to get hold of the magazines you mention as I live in the US, but sound like it's worth trying for those articles, thanks for the info about them.
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Hi Cooped. I am sure if you google Ian Allen Publishing you should be able to subscribe to Railway Modeller, Hornby Magazine etc. I know they do overseas deliveries. I read those 2 plus Model Rail Magazine mainly to get inspiration but also for the reviews of rolling stock. 3 excellant publications.
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Also incredibly jealous of your available space !!! </div>
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Thanks. Actually I was meaning I would have trouble getting hold of the editions bulliedboy was refering to as I think July is in the stores now. I do subscribe to Hornby magazine, but I've only been going since January of this year so I don't have an extensive back catalogue. Any advice about open frame or flat board building anyone? Dan
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