One of the consequences of a layout like Bond Lane is that it needs to be viewed from something close to eye level. With at least a couple of feet between what constitutes eye level for people who attend a model railway exhibition we spent the first few exhibitions with the layout trying to find the best compromise by adjusting the metal a-frame stands we were using under the layout. We always seemed to end up with a height that suited almost nobody with the majority of people either stooped down or on their tip-toes.
Subsequent research made us realise that this was a much debated problem across the hobby with no straight forward solution.
Eventually we had a eureka moment and purchased a "standing desk" online on which to see whether we could mount the layout.
The desk arrived flat packed, but needed only a few bolts to fit it together. The particular model we purchased just has one motor, some have two motors to allow for heavier weights - you would need to check which one would be best for you. We also chose a model that did not have an actual desktop which kept the cost down, but did allow adjustment in how wide the desk was which made it pretty straight forward to add a couple of wooden batons to replicate the top of the a-frame stands.
Luckily, our car has a boot big enough to fit the desk in without needing to dismantling it, and it leaves enough space for our layout to then slide underneath it. However, it is not a big job to dismantle the desk further and then it would take up no more room than something like the a-frame metal stands so commonly used.
Having now done a number of shows with the adjustable layout, we have had nothing but positive conversations with spectators and exhibitors alike. But it has not gone without issue. On more than one occasion we have carried the desk to the car and then realised we had not lowered it first, requiring us to carry it back into the venue and plug it back in to lower it enough to fit in the car.
This has also introduce a new trip hazard, this weekend we were at the Abingdon and District Model Railway Club show exhibition at Didcot and several exhibitors and visitors ended up on their hands and knees around the layout to get a better look at how it worked, and of course we were more than happy to oblige.
The video below shows the layout as it lowers down - the action is smooth enough that trains can continue to run with no risk of derailing.
