While this matter was part of my own layout description, I thought it may have broader appeal, so I have started a new thread.

This system works quite well on a small 8x4 (2.4 x 1.3m) layout, it would no doubt do for something much larger.

Here are pictures of my setup. Please don't give me credit for this engineering masterpiece. It was built and installed by the previous owner of the house, and was used to lift the roof rack and commodities for the top of his 4-wheel-drive. I could not believe my luck when I first inspected the house, knowing immediately how I would use it.

This view shows the winding lever, and ratchet mechanism, above the east side of the layout, with ropes attached to south and north ends. There are 4 ropes, to 4 corners, and each winds on the common winding bar. The layout can be lifted to the ceiling, so that a vehicle can be parked inside the garage space. If you check the plan-views of the layout, you can see the ropes attach to straight bars, which lift under the layout.


This picture is above the west side of the layout, and shows the pulleys used at each of the four corners, and the main winding bar.


The vertical ropes are attached to straight 1" x 1" (25x25mm) bars, one bar at the south end, and one bar at the north end. These rods lift the layout without being physically attached to the layout.

regards
Kimball

Very good, dntower85.

Thanks for sharing.