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<DIV>My last layout was a two level plan with the upper and lower levels having similar</DIV>
<DIV>trackwork. The lower level was 36" and the upper level was 60'. I liked the looks </DIV>
<DIV>of the upper level, I did not like doing maintenence up there.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Kurt S. Kramke<BR><BR>Mar 9, 2009 04:27:12 PM, <A class=parsedEmail href="mailto:nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org" target=_blank>nw-modeling-list@nwhs.org</A> wrote:<BR></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">I finally got back into model railway construction and operation beginning this past December thanks to successful recovery from back surgery! The model railway is located in an 800 sq.ft. finished building I had constructed in my back yard (it matches my brick home, has a dedicated HVAC unit, and as well as HD Satellite TV and surround sound installed). The model railway benchwork is single level with 170"+ of double and triple track mainline (minimum radius of 32.25"). The maximum distance the bottom of sub-roadbed extends above the top of the benchwork is 8" (with a maximum mainline grade of 1.25% ). I have committed several sins in my design basically relating to wide benchwork and working access/reach difficulties. To address this I have a short step ladder with a support rail/frame that extends upward and outward that allows me to get up and lean out (safely) to reach areas. I also have 3 access cut-outs located in the benchwork at strategic locations to give me access when needed. </SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">My last 3 model railroads have had benchwork at this elevation, 48". (Just love those corporate moves that let me teardown and restart the building process all over again) Despite some access/reach difficulties that I discussed earlier, I greatly prefer high benchwork for several reasons.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoListParagraph style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">You are able to look at your operations more like we see real railroads,; "at ground level" (not like coming in to the airport looking down from an aircraft).</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">You can perform most of the work needed on top of the benchwork without lots of bending over and down.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">The greater below clearance makes It easier to do wiring and other under the benchwork tasks.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Under the benchwork is a great storage area! The greater the height the more you can store.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">And lastly…….The higher the benchwork the more difficult for "children" to reach and wreck havoc on your railroad.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Ed Painter; Narrows, VA currently Russellville, AR</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> <A class="parsedEmail parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces@nwhs.org" target=_blank>nw-modeling-list-bounces@nwhs.org</A> [mailto:<A class="parsedEmail parsedEmail" href="mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces@nwhs.org" target=_blank>nw-modeling-list-bounces@nwhs.org</A>] <B>On Behalf Of </B>NW Modeling List<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 09, 2009 6:09 AM<BR><B>To:</B> NW Modeling<BR><B>Subject:</B> BENCHWORK HEIGHT</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">Hello All<BR> <BR>A topic sure to get a varied response (!); what do y'all feel is the optimal height for benchwork? Kalmbach book says 38". Specific application is a (mostly) shelf layout. Ceiling height is a bit limited, about 6'6" (remodeled basement).<BR> <BR>Any thoughts welcome!<BR><BR></SPAN><B><SPAN style="COLOR: #993300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Ed Svitil</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><BR><BR></SPAN></P></DIV><BR>
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