im not sure where to begin. I have roughly a 60' x 12' and a 20' x 8' area that comes off the side of the larger area, toward one end of the large area. Have to make my layout tables first right? So how do I make the tables, surely not completely flat right? I have always collected HO scale railroad. Lost all in a fire at one time. Now I'm 55 and ready to start a large site.
Welcome to the forum and back to the hobby. Personally, I wouldn’t design the benchwork first. In a space as enviably large as yours, there are many layout footprints that will fit. Instead, I would focus first on what you’d like to see in your layout and then let the benchwork plan evolve to support that.
A great introductory resource for those wishing to design their own layouts is John Armstrong’s Track Planning for Realistic Operation. It requires some study, but I personally think that you would find it to be well worth it.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
After you design a track plan you can build your bench work. The type of bench work you build to avoid having a flat world is known as "L Girder." Get yourself a copy of “How to Build Model Railroad Bench Work by Linn Westcott. It explains it all.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/how-to-build-model-railroad-benchwork-linn-westcott/1002300212/2677641367601?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP1948&k_clickid=3x1948
If you look in the on-line store of this website, under SHOP, they have a similar book by Jeff Wilson but I never read it so I can't really recomend it but I'm sure it is based on the Westcott book.
Welcome to the forums and back to model railroading.
Lost much of my Lionel collection in a fire too. Very painful, as much of it was gifts or had other special meaning to the pieces.
I agree with the above, have a plan in mind before you start buildiiing. Things won't happen immediately, you'll have plenty of time to tweek things as you go along.
You can plan your benchwork to have a flat surface, then use risers, etc, to add grades, if you so choose. The only place you might not want a level surface is if you plan a deep gorge for a high trestle. Then you can leave a section out, fill in with bracing when you get there.
I envy your space, as I am planning a new layout too, but at my age the smaller space I've been squeezed into has a more realistic chance of seeing trains run and scenery near completion.
Good luck,
Richard
cowmanThe only place you might not want a level surface is if you plan a deep gorge for a high trestle
I've started what will be my final layout with a modular concept in mind. I used 2" foam. I have since run across Ken Patterson on you tube. He had the same concept except he used 3 or 4 layers of foam. That makes the options for gorges or multiple track elevations a bit easier, if you are not using cookie cutter plywood and risers.
You need a track plan first, as said by others. You need to decide how much of the room you can use, as in you need access to the electrical panel and doorways etc. Then you need to realize you only reach so far. There is a platform you can buy that allows you to cantilever yourself over the layout but I understand they are not comfortable to use.
With a medical background, I can say for certain, that you won't be getting any younger. Avoid duck unders or the need to crawl around on your hands and knees.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hey Tweaked!
Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the forums!!!
Too bad about the fire, but with all the great new stuff that is available you won't suffer for a lack of choice.
As far as benchwork (tables) goes, Model Railroader offers a good book that covers all the basics. It is called 'Basic Model Railroad BENCHWORK', and you can buy a copy right here by going to the top right corner of this page and clicking on 'Shop'.
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12469
I will second the suggestion to get John Armstrong's 'Track Planning for Realistic Operation'. It will help you avoid making mistakes in your layout plan. I discovered after reading the book that my first layout plan would have been an operational disaster:
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12148
There are several other books offered by MR that can provide a lot of guidance.
You have a luxury that most of us can only dream about - space! Have fun with it!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
BigDaddy With a medical background, I can say for certain, that you won't be getting any younger. Avoid duck unders or the need to crawl around on your hands and knees.
My remedy for the dreaded duck-unders was to make lift up or drop down sections. Before that, I used an adjustable office chair that I let down, and with my layout height, 45", I'm able to lower the chair all the way down and roll under.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Hi there and good luck with your restart...
Have you contemplated Free-mo modules to get started http://www.free-mo.org . OK it is flat but the difficult part is that starting a layout, you don't want the possibility of mistakes.
The modules would enable you to get a layout operating that can grow and there may be enough free mo modules in your area given your space to put up modules and you can see how your space will work! The modules you do make can become part of a permanent layout later on...
Hope this helps,
Regards from Australia
Trevor
This site covers a large layout and its benchworkhttp://users.frii.com/gbooth/Trains/GreatWestern/Construction/Benchwork/Benchwork.htm
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration