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Thank Goodness for Access holes

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925 views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  Country Joe  
G
#1 ·
When planning for the CIC portion of the new layout, 17 feet of parallel tracks would be hidden by elevated platforms for several buildings. This was the only way I could accommodate as many D56 buildings that I wanted to fit into the layout.

I knew that 17 feet of hidden track was a BIG potential problem. So I provided for six access holes to allow for easy reach to get at any train issues. Today, I found that this was a very smart move.

For the past several weeks, CIC trains have been parked under the PE portion of the layout while we were in the construction phase. We had reached a point today that it was time to move them to the CIC side so that we could go to work on the PE without sawdust and construction debris ringing down on them. First up was the El Capitan and as this train was rounding the first back corner, a derailment occurred. I had tested the track and trains extensively during construction without any issues. Upon close examination as to what caused this issue, I had installed the last of the D56 buildings the other day in this end cap. The building closest to the tracks in the back row stuck out too much and those big 21" High-Level passenger cars were clipping the roof as they went by. Result, derailment with a good portion of the train in the tunnel.

First move was to retrieve the train that because of the access holes was a very easy task. Correcting the building problem was also an easy fix. Lesson from this, if you build a tunnel for your trains, make sure that you can get at them without tearing out part of the layout.
 
G
#3 ·
"Murphy says that if you build a tunnel without access, that is where the derailment will happen."

I had this happen a long time ago. The tunnel was 8 feet back on the layout with no access. I had to use a fishing pole with a light, camera and hook to drag it out. It was a feat just to remove it. I said at the time, never again.
 
#4 ·
First rule of building a layout. Never - never - never build a switch or turnout in a tunnel. Much like a rule of electricity, never have a junction box buried behind drywall.

If you violate rule number one, always provide an easy access to get at that tunnel. And remember what seemed easy when you built it might not seem that way when you have to access it afterwards.

I was crawling under a friend's layout recently taking pictures out of his access holes for a magazine article. One of them was pretty user friendly, but the other two were nightmares. I think he built them about 30 years ago when both of us were much more petite. Let's just say that either the holes have shrunk or we have expanded as it was a tight fit and not very comfortable.

Great advice, Brian.

Art
 
S
#5 ·
tunnel side note

A friend of mine was a magazine editor when one day this guy had told him he liked long tunnels because he could hide new trains he had bought in side of them. Well this was then published in the magazine. The rest as they say is history... :)
 
G
#6 ·
Thinking ahead at just how big those 21" passenger cars really are, I made my access holes plenty big and six of then to handle any derailment issue.

Art your friend when he did his 30 years ago was in a different time in our hobby and a different point of his physical capability now. At least was on the right track. :)
 
L
#8 ·
Access holes and removable scenery are a must. You may not need them very often, but when you do, you sure are glad they are there. I’ve been following your layout thread and was wondering if those holes were big enough. Glad they worked out.
 
#9 ·
I worked in construction for fifty years, and 90% of our work was above suspended ceilings. I used to cringe when I saw bid drawings with plaster, drywall or other limited access ceilings. Access doors are an architect's nightmare but a contractor's friend, and there can never be enough of them.

With us more elder folks, access doors are a must if you can't reach across the layout benches or through a tunnel.
 
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