I've designed an HO scale layout which I'm very excited about. My next step is benchwork. But after watching a number of videos and reading lessons learned from people. It seems it's not a simple as building a table. So I've come up with a process I think will work but wanted to get suggestions and thoughts from others.
Background
It's HO, probably 4 and 8" bridge areas so lot of moving up grades nothing is over 3 degrees and no switching on grades. I want to theme european mountains with passenger operations with maybe 1 or two industries.
Step One:
I plan to do a modular table layout and utilize a hybrid of grid and cookie cuter. But first I am just going to cut the plywood modules in the sizes and lay them out.
Step Two.
Normally what i see is to build the table but I think it's smart to trace out the track first so I can see where I have switch motors my gorges and ravenes. I don't want to have framing in the way of where i need motors. I can also see where my wiring needs to be routed.
So I plan to print out my design from a reasonably accurate blue print.
step 3
lay the track to make sure the blueprint is accurate and trace out where everything will go.
Step 4
Build the frame under the table. I plan to use a traditional approach here. I"m debating on whether to build the frame 2" inward from the table or to have it flush - i see pros can cons to both.
Cut out the cookie cutter areas before mounting the table and figure out the elevations.
Step 5
Mount the plywood on the frame.
Would be interested in hearing from others on this. I feel like I'ma bout to make a lot of mistakes which is okay - i just want to minimize my frustrations :)
It cab be as simple as building a box out of 1x4 and adding 2" foam on top.
Benchwork is one of those cats that has an endless number of ways it can be skinned.
Your plan sounds likje it will work.
The great thing about model railroad benchwork is that you can modify it as you go along when you need something different.
There are so many mistakes you could make, experience will be a great teacher.
Enjoy the journey.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
LaserRashI plan to do a modular table layout and utilize a hybrid of grid and cookie cuter. But first I am just going to cut the plywood modules in the sizes and lay them out.
Hi LaserRash,
I agree with Kevin. I think your plan will work. Some areas of the benchwork subroadbed will be flat and others will be on risers to support the elevated cookie cutter roadbed.
The cookie cutter sections can be cut straight out of the flat plywood as it sits on the modules, but you might be wasting a lot of plywood between the cuts. It might be better to draw all the cookie cutter sections on a separate piece of plywood so that you can get as many pieces as possible from a single sheet.
Keep us posted!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks - that all makes perfect sense. Plywood here in Dallas Texas is pretty cheap I think it's like $30 USD for 4x8. I only have an 11x11 room and I think i'm going to use 5 sheets and should have a lot left over which I will use for adjustments etc. I'm prepared to make mistakes but all of you giving me at least a some validation that my plan isn't missing anything is helpful.
I am using railmodeler pro to layout the track. automatically check grades and curve radius's in my space. My double mainline is 18 and 20.25 inch radius which is required for the limited space. I do have some 22 but most is 18/22 - I am modeling a moutain region so it should be ok. I have nothing less than 18 anywhere on the layout.
An alternative would be to build the benchwork with the flat plywood top, lay out the track and test it etc., but instead of doing cookie-cutter, raise the track using Woodland Scenics "SubTerrain" foam products. If you're doing a mountainous area, you might want to use 4" risers as the base. They have grades in 2-3-4% inclines that takes a lot of the trouble out of trying to work it out yourself. Just a thought....
https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/SubTerrainSystem
https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/video/Risers
wjstixAn alternative would be to build the benchwork with the flat plywood top, lay out the track and test it etc., but instead of doing cookie-cutter, raise the track using Woodland Scenics "SubTerrain" foam products. If you're doing a mountainous area, you might want to use 4" risers as the base. They have grades in 2-3-4% inclines that takes a lot of the trouble out of trying to work it out yourself. Just a thought....
Lots of people have used the Woodland Scenics risers with great success. However, cutting the sides of your elevated roadbed into the flat plywood modules has one potential advantage in that the plywood will form a natural vertical easement between the flat areas and the slopes. With the WS risers you have to fill in the transition from flat to grade (which isn't a big deal but does require some extra work).
Indeed, this might be an argument against my suggestion to try to maximize the number of cookie cutter pieces that you can get from a single sheet, especially since your total plywood expense isn't that great. If you plan the cuts so that there are no joints where the vertical easements occur you will have very smooth transitions from flat to grade. You may want to consider using less than 3/4" plywood for the subroadbed to make the transitions more flexible.
Lots of options!