Scenery or wiring first?

[aslaned]

VERY new to this. I have the table set up (5' X 10') and will use DCC. Do I wire the set up or lay the track and set up the scenery? Thanks for putting up with a newby Stan

[CAZEPHYR]

aslaned

VERY new to this. I have the table set up (5' X 10') and will use DCC. Do I wire the set up or lay the track and set up the scenery? Thanks for putting up with a newby Stan

 

The track and wiring must be in and working correctly before the scenery is started.   If you do the scenery first, you will end up removing or damaging most of it before the track and wiring is completed and the scenery will have to be redone.

 This is one area the prototype and modeling uses different means to build the layout.

CZ

[WH&C Railroad]

Also new to this, well new again, we had a family layout my dad and I built when I was about 7 with all the Lionel Post-War trains he had in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Starting to build a layout with my son only adding DCS and new MTH PS 2.0 engines to the post-war fleet.

From everything I’ve read and the way I plan to attack this start with a sound plan on paper, then templates and/or trial and error in the actual space, followed by laying track, wiring, testing of all electronics and wiring, then the scenery work. That gives the best chance to fix the electronics during the testing phase before there is ballast or scenery to be removed to fix the issues.

Good Luck!

[fifedog]

Stan - First off ---> .

All depends on what's being wired.  Conventional wisdon would have you lay down your track and run your wiring to it first, making same as "bullet-proof" as you can, before starting sceniking.  On my layout, I have two through truss bridges (that because of their placement towards the back of my benchwork) demanded that I perform some scenery as I laid down the mainline.

My pike has been up for about 8 years, and I'm still adding signals and structures, and still drilling holes to run wiring.  Just gives me a reason to spruce up the area around these sites.  A big benefit I have is my layout height of 40".

At the very least, drill "conduit" holes through each benchwork cross-member, to allow quick and neat routing of wiring.  One day you'll thank me.

[traindaddy1]

Stan:

My   I would lay out the track first (don't nail or screw down at this point) with a "mock-up" of what scenic items and/or accessories you are thinking about.  Make sure you have enough clearance to run the trains, especially on the curves. Then wire.  I would suggest that you drill a few "extra" wire holes around the layout so that, should you want to change or add something in the future, your access will be easier.  Good luck.  (post pictures)

[Ole Timer]

 How true fifedog ... access will be extremely important later .

[phillyreading]

Stan ,

I usually lay the track first then run wires and add scenery last. One exception about scenery is when you use a grass mat by Life Like or other company, then you want to lay the mat first and use green thumbtacks to tack the mat in place. Green thumbtacks are sold at Sears in the hardware & tools department, at least that is where I found green thumbtacks. For covering holes, like when you move something, I use Squadron brand green putty that I buy at the hobby store.

Don't drill more holes than you need in the table top as it may confuse you when wiring the track and switches. An easy way to wire something is to stick a short piece of wire through the hole from the top and pull the wire into the hole. For under the table wiring I use screw-eyes to hold the wires in place, run the wires thru the screw-eye after fastening it to the 2 X 4. Don't forget to test the track before any final installation, add extra power lock-ons as well.

I have tried computor programs for track planning, K-Line Super Streets track planning, and have had many a problem with the computor program. Also templates get expensive to use when doing a large layout, so I just lay the track and measure the clearances(distance between tracks, usually four and a half inches between center rails) for any two track areas.

I look at track planning ideas and come up with my own version of what suits me, I started on my own layout when I was 9 years old and I am close to 50.

Lee F.