I posted pics in the General Discussion area, but it seems this is the right place.
My wife an I do the snowbird thing between NJ and FL. When we bought the place she made sure there was a room for me to have a train layout. The room is 13'x12', and I'm building a 2 level layout with a helix in one corner. Point to point railroad, freelance for sure. Lostly freight with a couple commuter trains, 4 axle engines as the majority. Some staging on the lower level and possibly the peninsula in the middle of the room. I've built this type of helix before (kit form with center markings), so it will go together easy. It will sit on a 72"x71" area. Frames are going up fairly easy. My goal is to frame the entire lower level and have the plywood tops in place by January 4th.
Goal is to have trains running by the end of 2018 or Mid 2019.
Neal
Wait a minute. Two homes, two layouts, one wife? Lucky man......
Mike
Did you trap yourself in the room when you built the layout in front of the door that opens into the room?
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-Kevin
Living the dream.
Trapped? No way, as I measured it all... The door on the left was never meant to be open as it's more of an office type room instead of a bedroom. No closets to deal with. I have plenty of room and will keep posting pics as it progresses...
Hi Neal:
Nice start!
Our new club layout is a little bit further along the construction path, but not by much. Same benchwork framing. We just laid our first cork roadbed on one side of the layout, but there is still a ton of construction to do on the opposite wall and in the rather large peninsula.
I have a suggestion for you. You might consider moving your support legs back about 8" from the fascia. If you leave them where they are now you will be constantly catching your toes on them as you work on the layout. They will still provide plenty of support if they are moved back. We didn't bother with gussets but you could install them to prevent the legs from getting knocked loose.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi Dave,
I have the legs at the front of the fascia at my other layout with no issues. Even though it's in a small room, the helix and the peninsula are the only areas where there will be legs. My frames around the room are going to be supported with heavy duty steel metal brackets and then a brace from the front of the frames to the wall at the bottom by the molding.
Pics on my next post...
Helix table is now in place, firmly anchored to two walls. I hope to add the rest of the frames within the next few days provided I can get some decent 1"x3" wood from Lowes.
You've got enough legs there to confuse a spider!!
Seriously, your benchwork is pretty solid!
nealknowsprovided I can get some decent 1"x3" wood from Lowes.
Forget the big box stores! Find yourself a local lumber supplier that actually started out as a lumber dealer. Maybe someone in your area can suggest a company. We found a local dealer who has great products at really reasonable prices, and their delivery prices are peanuts, and their service is great!!!
Buy local!
Most homes are framed with 16" centers. Here in Florida they use metal studs and on 24" centers. My frames are built on 12" centers. I can lay on them, and I have.
I am going to the local lumber yard for my 1/2" AC plywood. Big box stores don't carry it, and I've always bought this at local lumber store. As long as they can rip them for me, I'm in business!
nealknowsMy frames are built on 12" centers. I can lay on them, and I have.
The older I get, the less need I have to lie on my layout. Besides it's not prototypical in HO scale.
My prior layout was hydrocal everywhere. I eventually threw away the 1/2 bag that was left and turned into stone. Don't rememer the size bag, but if we assume it was 100# then there was 50# + homasote, plywood and track. Maybe 1/2# load per square foot. It too was over built, but there is no point in building benchwork to hold my 300# uncle Ernie.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
ShopcatThis is great. Keep the pics coming as you develop your southern layout!
More supports around the wall. Frames will go up in the next couple days..
Nice work Neal. I like the brackets you are using on the wall ... I have the same ones. My layout has no legs. I can easily sleep under it too.
While I'm not using straight legs to support the layout, I'm adding additional support to the frames by running a support from the front of the frames to the floor by the molding.
I'm utilizing those same metal brackets, but my subroadbed plywood/foam will be directly laid upon the upper leg/face (horizontal leg/face) of the metal bracket. I will then use some 'selective' vertical leg supports at the outer edges (removably/selectively used when required while doing work on the supported subroadbed/shelf).
I don't know that I see your need to 'duplicate' the benchwork support with the brackets PLUS the combo wood frame/legs??
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
Brian,
My subroadbed will be 1/2" AC plywood. My frames are built on 12" centers with 1"x3" wood. Did I overbuild it? Yes. Is it going anywhere? No. Most of the brackets are screwed into the metal studs or concrete where possible the rest are held in place with 100lb. rated toggle anchors.