Where to keep door layout when not in use

[kgreen]

I have a bit of a problem.  I dont have a room to spare to dedicate  my door layout .  Interested to hear what others do.  Tks Kirk

[Chris333]

Hang it on the wall?

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Well it is a door. You could use it as the door to your train room 

[Wlal13again]

slide it under your bed?

[kgreen]

Have a waterbed , cant slide it under

[wazzou]

Have a waterbed , cant slide it under

People still have waterbeds?

[R.Groff]

Do you have a room to hang it from the ceiling by pullies .

[mu26aeh]

I had a layout that hung on the back (inside of my closet door) when I was younger.  A 2x2 was bolted to bottom of door, and layout attached to this via a hinge.  On other end of layout was a hook, and at top of door there was an eye hook/bolt that it attached to.  When I wanted to run my trains, I would open door, unhook and fold down.  When I was done, lift up, hook, and close door.  Of course, if you have a door size layout, couldn't do this unless you were able to trim down your layout.

[Bsklarski]

I agree, hang it or hinge it on a wall, or build a stand it sits on that when not in use, you can flip the layout 90 degrees.

[Dave V]

People still have waterbeds?

This.

[Greyryder]

My solution to this problem was to build a foot deep switching layout on a shelf. Four to five feet long is plenty of space for an hour or two of operation at a time. But then, I have no desire for continuous running.

[primavw]

People still have waterbeds?

I lol'ed

[dualgauge]

The door layout I store is stood on end leaning against a wall. Could then place on table or sawhorses.
Dan

[fifer]

Well it is a door. You could use it as the door to your train room 

Now THAT would make a great Model Railroader Article!!

Mike

[sirenwerks]

Now THAT would make a great Model Railroader Article!!

Mike

Just reverse the flow of an air hockey table and you can operate while still in door mode.

Pulley-ing it to the ceiling is probably more effort than it's worth, and not exactly pretty or safe in most cases.  But if you're interested, I know there's an ancient article in MR on how to do it which I could find for you later. Best bet is to use stiff brackets to hang it, something that will easily lift off the hooks in the ceiling while as you lift it from below while standing precariously on a tall, wobbly chair.  Chain/rope only sags and remains stuck on hooks, so it will not work unless you have a third hand or someone else is standing on the tall wobbly chair with you.  I suggest bolting handles to the edge too so there's no laying on of grimy mitts on the scenery while you and the choir are bringing it down.