The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[davefoxx]

Do you have enough width in the room for (at least) a single-track helix 180° curve that would descend to reach a multi-track staging return loop underneath the layout?
The curved section could be made detachable for those occasions when you need extra space to work on home improvement projects.

Holy crap!  I don’t know, but that sure is an interesting idea!  Will look into this to check feasibility.  Stay tuned.

Thanks,
DFF

[Chris333]

Think I deleted the sketch that had the N scale layout reaching out this way 

[davefoxx]

Think I deleted the sketch that had the N scale layout reaching out this way 

D’oh!

[Chris333]

I had it running around the room and connecting to the left of the room entrance.

[Philip H]

Do you have enough width in the room for (at least) a single-track helix 180° curve that would descend to reach a multi-track staging return loop underneath the layout?
The curved section could be made detachable for those occasions when you need extra space to work on home improvement projects.

If you can make this work the only issue would be keeping Ally's layout clear. Gotta run Santa Trains and all.

[davefoxx]

Aly’s layout is in the main area of our basement (not in the layout room), so there’s no risk of anything happening to that.

DFF

[eric220]

A turn into under-layout staging would be awesome, but in case it turns out not to be feasible, what about this:

Build the cart-based version with a return loop off of one side. Hinge the part of the loop that overhangs the cart so that it can fold down against the side of the cart for storage.

[rodsup9000]

 Build the 4 or 5 turn helix on a cart and the staging yard under the layout. When the layout isn't in use, just roll the helix out of the way.

[davefoxx]

Build the 4 or 5 turn helix on a cart and the staging yard under the layout. When the layout isn't in use, just roll the helix out of the way.

Still not sure what it would do to the room, but the helix idea is the best answer to get down under the layout.  Once down there, I got a ton of room for a multiple-track reverse loop for staging.  Thanks for everyone’s input here.

DFF

[CRL]

Any helix will take up the space of a full sized washing machine or larger, so if you have somewhere you can put a wheeled cabinet of this size when not being used, then go for it. I am considering this option also.

[davefoxx]

Any helix will take up the space of a full sized washing machine or larger, so if you have somewhere you can put a wheeled cabinet of this size when not being used, then go for it. I am considering this option also.

That's the concern.  The helix would need to be a minimum 52" diameter, as I would want a 24" minimum radius on that helix to ensure that I have no rolling stock or locomotives that couldn't negotiate it.

DFF

[Point353]

That's the concern.  The helix would need to be a minimum 52" diameter, as I would want a 24" minimum radius on that helix to ensure that I have no rolling stock or locomotives that couldn't negotiate it.

DFF

Suppose that you ran a track from where the fold-down section attaches to the layout now (across some sort of pivoting/hinged bridge) over to the wall onto which the branchline is attached. Then along the rear wall (behind where the photographer was standing) and then along the wall with the door.
Finally, across another pivoting/hinged bridge to the staging loop under the layout.
 
Your trains seem to be relatively short, but have plenty of power.
Would that routing along the walls be sufficiently long to yield a reasonable enough gradient for your trains to climb on the way out of staging, without resorting to a helix?

[davefoxx]

The layout room is serving as some family storage space, too, so around the walls isn’t feasible at present.  Besides, if I were to go around the room, I would tear this layout down; finish the walls, ceiling, and floor; and build a layout with a track plan that is better suited for the entire space.

Thanks,
DFF

[wm3798]

Remember! Everywhere there is layout, there is storage space under layout.  Remember this, grass hopper...

[wazzou]

I’d wager that in one turn back curve from the end of the current layout, pre fold down, you could get a track beneath the layout for under layout staging without too significant of a limiting radius or grade.