Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Needing books on bench work

1246 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Manitou, Okla
  • 1,630 posts
Needing books on bench work
Posted by mikesmowers on Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:36 AM
Morning all. I am about ready to get started on the bench work for my new layout and would like to know what books or publications are the best. I will order them on line and will be looking for a track laying manual in the near future as well. Are there any good ones that you would like to recomend?   Thanks,      Mike   
Modeling Trains Is Not A Matter Of Life Or Death, It Is Much More Important Than That!!
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:46 AM

Kalmbach has a good book on the topic that's been around awhile.

My thoughts on the topic:  I've moved numerous times and therefore have had to dismantle (destroy is more like it) several layouts.  I do not want to wreck any more layouts again.  Now I'm building a sectional layout similar to "domino" construction for benchwork. If I have to move again, I can cut tracks, wires, and scenery at the joint of each section.  Then I can move the sections and repair the joints. My track plan is not true "domino", and I would have to keep the sections in the same sequence.

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Page, AZ
  • 355 posts
Posted by Chuck Geiger on Sunday, February 25, 2007 2:21 PM
Mike - Your local library might have the Robertr Schinder books on building model railroads, that and the Kalmbach book is pretty good. Also "google" it on-line too. I reccomend open grid with foam. Good luck.

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: ohio
  • 431 posts
Posted by jbloch on Sunday, February 25, 2007 2:30 PM

Mike:

Glad to here you're about to jump in; if the wife get's the basement cleared out and we get the basement mitigated for Radon(I always jump at the chance to bring this up on the forum when I get the chance--big issue here in Ohio)I hope to be joining you soon.

The two Kalmbach books are: Basic Model Railroad Benchwork, by Jeff Wilson, and How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork by Linn Wescott.  If you have some experience in doing benchwork, the Wilson book might be more basic than you need; since I'm a newbie, I found both valuable--but Wescott's book is a must, going into great detail about a variety of techniques(L-girder, open grid, etc.).

The Kalmaback trackwork book I have is Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders by Jeff Wilson.  I think you'll find it quite basic, but still some helpful hints--I 've found threads over on the layout building forum more helpful in several areas in track laying.

You might try Amazon as you might get a better price on some of these, though Kalmach has free shipping going on for their books at the moment.

Jim 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!