[Lester Perry]

Just a thought I felt I should share. About 10 years ago I started building my dream layout after 2 years of planning. It works fantastically. I feel it was perfect as it had everything I wanted.
there are 2 hidden yards. one east bound one westbound they are good. I just made some minor improvements to them that a friend suggested. The problem I have is the access tracks to the hidden yards are difficult to get to. you have to crawl under the layout to get to them for maintenance or rare derailments. In 07 I had a stroke. I can no longer get on my knees to crawl. there go the problem and wished foresight. No you can't plan for everything. You can plan on hopefully living to be a senior citizen. who cant crawl any more or reach as far as you used to. how about narrow Isle ways and possible walker or wheel chair in the future.
Just some food for thought. Before you say just start over, I can't and you might not be able to either. Or you may have the perfect layout (for you).
Les (Oh yeah I was only 51 when I had a stroke)

 

[Don Chovanec]

Sorry to hear about your health problems. I am retired and have been thinking about building a modular layout. In my research I found that you can make doors and such you could build such a layout and get inside through the door. but as to retrofitting your old layout I am not sure you could. I had a large layout that I had to get rid of so I know the pain of losing such a RR.

 

[Lester Perry]

I am not going to have to start all over again. Just trying to say think about it. It could happen to anyone . wide isles and easy access are not that big of a deal in planning but impossible in retrofitting. Which is not needed in my case, but life would have been easier if it were done that way in the beginning
Les

 

[Southern]

my Brother

Lester, I wish I could help.
My mom survived a Massive stroke for about 10 years. I feel for you.

A few years back my brother made a set of stairs at his lake cabin down to the water. when I saw them I had to ask why the steps where so short. He said that some day he would be older and the steps would be taller then. It dose not hurt to plan a head. My plan is to keep the grandkids involved.

John

 

[Lester Perry]

Thanks to everyone for your concerns. I am doing very well at life which includes MRR. I still enjoy the hobby as much if not more, I now have more time to play although a lot slower and more of a challenge. I can no longer work so I try to find new ways to scare my Therapist and Neurologist. I think I hit an all time high when I tried to start my chain saw.
Les

 

[stationmaster]

Les, another common "error" in planning is track height. Many layouts are set up to be eye level or a tad lower. I prefer to have mine lower so that I can reach aross if necessary. At 46"-60", the track would be too high for those bound to a wheelchair or having trouble maintaining their balance. Good point Les. Especially for us older hobbyists.

 

[Karl/PA]

Are there grandkids in the picture? They can go anywhere. Might be a great opportunity to introduce one or more to the hobby.