Need some help on layout section

[chuck geiger]

I have this gap in the layout where I wanted a duckunder. It is not going to be straight, but on an angle.





Any suggestions for a liftout section or duckunder. Problem: This would be just off the wye, making it a high traffic area. Benchwork has been going well all three days of the weekend. Got a lot done.

[TiVoPrince]

Follow
what countertop installers have done forever.  Make a template in place of cardboard or thin veneer, depending on what your wallet will allow.  This assures you have door swing clearance too.  Draw on plywood cut to shape.  Once you have a template cut your lumber and foam to match the template and its almost done...

[chuck geiger]

JJ - Thanks, great idea, how's it looking so far?

[Walkercolt]

I like it. Since I have no layout at all, it's far better than mine!

[Chris333]

I wouldn't make it a duck under or a lift out. I'd make it fold down.

Put the hinges at the red line and a slide latch at the green line.

I have one built like this and there is even a turnout on it.

Only other recommendation since the area to the left is freestanding. I would use two locater pins so when you swing the "bridge" up each pin not only center the track but keep the island from walking back and leaving a gap that is too wide.

[wm3798]

Here's the hinge end of my drop leaf.


and the slide bolt end...


and a view in the "retracted" position...


I use a simple phone jack to route power to the tracks on the bridge.  Note that I include modular wire connections at both ends in case I need to remove the bridge for any reason.

Lee

[TiVoPrince]

Chris and Lee
make excellent points.  Checking the wye by assembling the trackwork (even if its floating in midair) to determine if it is practical to create a useful dropdown between the turnouts or having only one on the moving benchwork. 

Duckunders are fine when we build layouts, but as we all age the practicallity goes down.  Even if you are able to manage the duckunder today and in the future consider family and guest comforts too. 

Since you are building lightweight, the hanging weight of a drop section is a real consideration.  The leveraged weight could distort the rest of the layout since it was not designed as a cantilever.  Carefully consider how the weight would be distributed.

If you are looking at this as a short term layout, a duckunder may be a better choice.  You have to know yourself and if it is likely that you will not be changing for 5+ years addtional cost, time and work involved in building a drop section makes sense...

[wm3798]

As an FYI, when I build a removable/moveable section, I install the benchwork, including all the "working" parts, and secure them in place, then build the track work as a solid, continuous run as if it were going to be permanent that way.  Then, once I'm completely satisfied that the alignment is where I want it, and have it securely glued down and ballasted (this locks the track down pretty well) I go back and carefully dremel out the track joints along the same line as the benchwork joint.

In some cases I would add a set of guard rails through the joint as well.

Lee