work starts sunday!

[johnnyx]

What is your bench height? That is one thing that is almost impossible to change once you start.

I have a 13 x 21 room. I put a 24"-36" shelf type layout around three sides for a U shaped N scale layout. I used 1 x2 pine for my benchwork and put 2" blue foam down. I used Peco Insulfrog turnouts, Atlas fixed radius track and Peco flex track. It all works, but I did make some mistakes. I have about 200' of track and 25 turnouts. I never had laid any track before. I worked on it hard, full time for about a month to get it working. It works but is unfinished. Sure I'd do some things differently next time.

The quality of your work will depend on your willingness to do things over when you make a mistake.

 

when the foam is added the actuall height will be 40 inches.  I too am using the 1x2  pine for the framing and adding 7/16th ply then 1inch foamboard as my base. 

[johnnyx]

  Great diagram of your layout.  Is the diagram done with some software, or is this your own graphics?  

 

its basically hand drawn and real rough, i know it will deviate alittle bit. 

[jondrd]

 Make sure you have physical access to all parts of your layout. Tough to scenic if you can't reach a given area. I've made this obvious mistake and it ain't fun when you run out of "stretch".

 Jon 

 

[Anonymous]

How do you get to the middle?

Do you have access to both sides where your turntable is?

[johnnyx]

i will probally have to install a access panel somewhere in the middle. I can make the stretch but it may just be easier. 

[johnnyx]

here is some finished photos of the benchwork.  this thing is SOLID AS A ROCK!!  I know the legs look weak, but trust me they are very strong, and with the whole thing lagged to the walls it is very sturdy.

pull out section so we can reach the back end to work.

with foam atatched.

some video as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPUZXictdp4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNxYQxiuUNw

 

[HHPATH56]

Wow! The pics and the audio-video are great.  I also constructed a "pull-out" to gain access to a "too-far-to-reach" space. How and where do you plan your control panel. With the size of your "doughnut" set-up, you might get away with just a central control board, with a single throttle. Kepp us up to date, on your progress, with future videos.    I am a little confused as to what happens to the track in the pull-out section. In mine, the track is an elevated overpass in the "pull-out" section.  Bob

[reklein]

Good work Johnnyx.Keep us posted as to how you'll mount your track and scenery.

[secondhandmodeler]

That looks like it will be fun to fill all of that space.  Those legs scare me though.  Not only do they look woefully undersized,  the span between them is huge.  I would be afraid of it coming crashing down.  A few 2x4's would be some cheap insurance.   I would at least reinforce the free standing part.  Just my opinion.