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A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge to start a new layout.
It came about after looking at "Richardtheforth's" track in his thread "Beyond the Loft Hatch". It got me thinking, then within a couple of hours I had a bare table again.
The last layout was too cumbersome - 14ft x 5ft which over-powered the loft, was hard to work on and was hard to marshal.
So after looking at Richards layout I decided I wanted to have a thinner, more "Marshalling" friendly layout. I used his layout as a basis and evolved the new layout from that. So far I am up to version 8!! - needing to tweak bits to ensure I get it on the table with enough room at the edges. There will be more tweaking as I start to test the layout once it is built. Here's the latest version.
![Guitar accessory Bicycle part Line String instrument accessory Font]()
As part of this build I looked into the merits of the new APB against the PB-Pro. I didn't really want to lose my RichG tower encased with the Pit-Pro, but on reflection I already have a second PC screen and wanted to de-clutter the layout.
As some of you may know I took the plunge and purchased a new APB. I then had to re-jig my Pit-Pro to get it back to its original configuration, as it is my intention to now use it as a Pit In/Pit Out.
After some checking I have also decided to run the XLC's from the track itself. This meant I will not have to provide another power supply and run new wiring to power them. When I looked only two of the XLC's were wired for separate power anyway, so it will be a very quick job to divert the power wires back to the track.
The track is configured and built in sections. Each section will have its own power tap and each track piece in the section is wired together. This was how the last layout was built and I never had any power problems.
I have been tailoring the old tables to fit in with the new layout. I've reduced the width of the first table to 4ft at it's widest part. The second table has had a bit of a trim too, but not so severe. By tailoring the tables it now allows me to easily open the end wall and velux roof window, plus I now have access again to that part of the loft eves.
The previous layout was stood on six tressles - but I didn't really like this as it meant I had virtually no storage space beneath the layout. Plus they weren't that solid either. So the revised table is sat on a proper wooden frame. As you will see from the pics I still have to complete the last part of the new table build. A relatively small 4ft x 4ft extension which will complete the new "L" shape configuration. This will sit on another frame which extend under table two giving that additional support.
Here are some pics.
The new layout configuration gives me lots of room back.
![Window Building Wood Shade Flooring]()
Table 1. See the windows and eves access door - all accessible now!!
![Building Property Furniture Window Table]()
New retractable shelf for the PC.
![Table Computer keyboard Computer desk Desk Wood]()
Table 2. Space to the right for the extension table.
![Flooring Wood Hardwood Electronic device Electrical wiring]()
That's all for now.
Steve
It came about after looking at "Richardtheforth's" track in his thread "Beyond the Loft Hatch". It got me thinking, then within a couple of hours I had a bare table again.
The last layout was too cumbersome - 14ft x 5ft which over-powered the loft, was hard to work on and was hard to marshal.
So after looking at Richards layout I decided I wanted to have a thinner, more "Marshalling" friendly layout. I used his layout as a basis and evolved the new layout from that. So far I am up to version 8!! - needing to tweak bits to ensure I get it on the table with enough room at the edges. There will be more tweaking as I start to test the layout once it is built. Here's the latest version.
As part of this build I looked into the merits of the new APB against the PB-Pro. I didn't really want to lose my RichG tower encased with the Pit-Pro, but on reflection I already have a second PC screen and wanted to de-clutter the layout.
As some of you may know I took the plunge and purchased a new APB. I then had to re-jig my Pit-Pro to get it back to its original configuration, as it is my intention to now use it as a Pit In/Pit Out.
After some checking I have also decided to run the XLC's from the track itself. This meant I will not have to provide another power supply and run new wiring to power them. When I looked only two of the XLC's were wired for separate power anyway, so it will be a very quick job to divert the power wires back to the track.
The track is configured and built in sections. Each section will have its own power tap and each track piece in the section is wired together. This was how the last layout was built and I never had any power problems.
I have been tailoring the old tables to fit in with the new layout. I've reduced the width of the first table to 4ft at it's widest part. The second table has had a bit of a trim too, but not so severe. By tailoring the tables it now allows me to easily open the end wall and velux roof window, plus I now have access again to that part of the loft eves.
The previous layout was stood on six tressles - but I didn't really like this as it meant I had virtually no storage space beneath the layout. Plus they weren't that solid either. So the revised table is sat on a proper wooden frame. As you will see from the pics I still have to complete the last part of the new table build. A relatively small 4ft x 4ft extension which will complete the new "L" shape configuration. This will sit on another frame which extend under table two giving that additional support.
Here are some pics.
The new layout configuration gives me lots of room back.
Table 1. See the windows and eves access door - all accessible now!!
New retractable shelf for the PC.
Table 2. Space to the right for the extension table.
That's all for now.
Steve
