Review of the Double Deck Layout Design
Mike BurgettDescription
There are various methods and styles for constructing a model railroad layout. Track plans can range in size from a micro layout to a large layout that fills an entire room. There are numerous ways to house the track as well. They can be built on a table in the middle of a room or on shelves along the perimeter of the room with one deck or multiple. There is a great deal of variety in model railroading.
The C&O Layout
In part nine of the 11-part Chesapeake & Ohio series, Allen Keller and Mike Burgett examine the double deck style layout and review the pros and cons of the design. When planning the signaling system for the C&O, Mike desired a floor model CTC panel. In order to achieve that, he needed to have a specific amount of railroad to justify that kind of space. Since he was confined to the 24 by 36 feet space in his basement, it was necessary to use a double deck style layout.
Mike begins by explaining the biggest issues he encountered with a double deck layout. One concern in particular that Mike discovered during the modeling process was the amount of space he needed to fill. Mike prefers narrow scenes. He explains why he believes shelf layout is the way to go and he gives his opinion on why he thinks narrow scenes generally look more realistic. He also briefly touches on the historic research he performed for the planning and modeling of the C&O.
To conclude the segment, Mike mentions that his favorite part of model railroading is the friendship that develops through working on the hobby. Shared interests are a great way to connect with people. Mike and his crew spend countless hours with the Chesapeake & Ohio and they share a true passion for it.
What are the advantages and well the problems that you've encountered with double decking? Well, one of the biggest problems I find with double decking is the logistics as far as your bench work, finding that perfect height between the upper and the lower level. For me, I'm six foot one, my upper level seems a skosh too high and my lower level seems a skosh too low. Now the next, you know, I've had a lot of people say, well these are the perfect heights. The biggest thing I don't like about the double deck is I like narrower scenes, if I was to redo the railroad I probably several scenes would narrow them up more than what they are Oh really? currently, Bill Darnaby's layout, which uses very narrow scenes was very instrumental in that respect. So this has worked out well for you, this is the current fashion and hobby, shelf layouts? Absolutely, absolutely, I think it's just the way to go. I, I, I think you get actually better scenes that look more realistic because the larger the scene we tend to just start filling it in for the purpose of we got all this area to fill in and you get somewhat unrealistic scenery because you're just trying to find something to shove in that corner, well I'm gonna put a building there. I like the historic research and then-- You did that yourself? Yeah, I do that myself. CNO Historical Society is just a wonderful tool. I like when I recreate, I like recreating three dimensional portion of it. Probably more than anything though, is, is the friendship. You know, the joke is as the model railroad's just an excuse to get the guys to come over and drink beer. Well, okay. What's wrong with that? Nothing.
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