Bench Work for My New Layout

[Anonymous]

Well I've finally begun constructing the bench work for my new layout. Using 1x4's in a sort of modified open grid contruction. The joists rest on inverted L-girders. L-girders were constructed by using 1x3's screwed and glued to the bottom of 1x4's. Layout measures 5 1/2-feet deep by 17-foot wide and sits 42 1/2-inches tall.

Only temporary legs are attached. More supportive legs will be attached to various horizontal joists when the track plan is made up. Legs will sit back at least 16-inches from the front of the layout. Benchwork may appear a little askew in the photos, but it is completely level.

Next step is the rear sky backdrop and mirrors on each end wall that will run the depth of the layout.

I have no actual track plan as yet, but I'm leaning toward a track plan that was shown in Lionel's Model Builder. That plan featured an under and over track plan with a "flyover" on the left side of the layout.

My plan is to cover the joists with kraft paper and then work up a track plan by actually dry fitting track and switches in place and then transpose the plan onto the paper then onto plywood cut outs in cookie cutter fashion then secure the joists to the girders and then attach the plywood cutouts to risers that are secured to the joists. Sounds kind of complicated but its not.


This layout's size is half the size of my old layout and I'm glad for that. Sometimes bigger is always better. Now, I'll have more time to devote to modelling and diaorama building.

First picture is of the extreme left. Second picture is the middle to right, and last picture is at the far right.



BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com