04-18-2010, 10:13 PM
Thanks Kevin. 
As for the windows, I can always put up some pale blue blinds on them.
When I was planning the area, my gut feeling was to leave the center wall short of the ceiling. We discussed the topic in this thread with varying opinions. When I built the center wall, I decided it would be easier just to build a full-height wall because I wouldn't have to do all the extra work involved in cutting the studs and the sheetrock and everything - so I went all the way to ceiling with the studs. Then when I was sheetrocking one side of it, it just felt eerily confining and I immediately took the sheetrock back off, grabbed the skil saw, and went to cutting off the tops of the studs... rebuilt the wall as seen in the photos.
The psychology of it is interesting. Since I grew up in the South with no basements, it may just be that I, like you, don't feel comfortable without some connection to the outdoors. DocWayne is right... from a purely model railroad aspect, no windows and full height center wall is absolutely the way to go. But as you say, my subconscious told me I needed the openings.
On that note, I do want to say a big "thank you!" to everyone who has made suggestions in this thread, regardless of whether I used the suggestions or not. It is certainly better to be aware of the options than to blindly rush in with no thought at all.
As for the windows, I can always put up some pale blue blinds on them.
When I was planning the area, my gut feeling was to leave the center wall short of the ceiling. We discussed the topic in this thread with varying opinions. When I built the center wall, I decided it would be easier just to build a full-height wall because I wouldn't have to do all the extra work involved in cutting the studs and the sheetrock and everything - so I went all the way to ceiling with the studs. Then when I was sheetrocking one side of it, it just felt eerily confining and I immediately took the sheetrock back off, grabbed the skil saw, and went to cutting off the tops of the studs... rebuilt the wall as seen in the photos.
The psychology of it is interesting. Since I grew up in the South with no basements, it may just be that I, like you, don't feel comfortable without some connection to the outdoors. DocWayne is right... from a purely model railroad aspect, no windows and full height center wall is absolutely the way to go. But as you say, my subconscious told me I needed the openings.
On that note, I do want to say a big "thank you!" to everyone who has made suggestions in this thread, regardless of whether I used the suggestions or not. It is certainly better to be aware of the options than to blindly rush in with no thought at all.
Three Foot Rule In Effect At All Times