Benchwork technique

OK, lets share our technique and approach for Benchwork, the foundation of a good model railroad.

 

HCD

I guess all of us Hollow Core Door people qualify as "other".
The biggest drawback to any poll is they are never all inclusive.
​

 

What do you use for a bad model railroad?

I'm making my benchwork up as I go along. There are extensive pics in my Grey and Grandure construction thread:
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=69249

Enjoy

 

"Other" - Hollow core wood door w/ foam. Currently sitting on top of old dinette set.

Ed

 

Other: HCD-no Foam-woodtrim as roll over protection.

 

Looks like trying to catagorize / standardize model railroaders and thier techniques is like trying to herd cats.

 

I use modular bench work which is an old door that detaches from wooden legs with wheels for easy movement, bu the bench work also collapses so I can transport.

 

When I voted, I chose L-girder as my favorite. I am also going to intrepret that choice as L-girder with joists and plywood roadbed as the plywood roadbed is supported by risers. Then I am using sytrofoam on top of that, then cork, then track. I have also used homasote on top of plywood. The homasote I have obtained is not super flat (there are dips and valleys in mine, but they are subtle) but so far the styrofoam has some issues too. I butted up two edges, but they don't sit perfectly level. I'll have to use my sureform a bit.

 

Thanks for the feedback on using foam over plywood, how thick is the foam you are using? Issue I have with foam on ply is on elevated sections getting overhead clearance.

 

Meow.

I'm another mixed bag designer. About half HCD, and the rest will be variations on other categories, depending on application.

Some of this depends on your modeling scale, smaller scales can get away with featherweight benchwork.

 

I'm experimenting with new techniques. Part of my layout--the roundhouse section--is an HCD. The three deck west wall is one-inch foam over ClosetMaid wire racks, which I do not recommend. The east wall is built on top of cabinets, using foam board just like you would use plywood. Some of the "loops" are built with one-inch foam board with edging strips of hardwood. The inner edges are on a furring strip; the outer edges can be supported by high-rise buildings from the nexzt level down, or by rods suspended from the ceiling. Some transitions are an assembly of 1/4-inch foam core. Other parts are made by self-made monocoque panels--my own version of plywood.

My goal was to make every section of the layout light, which I achieved. Once I started adding scenery, the panels became heavy. But the robustness of lightweight framing proved itself. It's no surprise that adding weight on fundamentally strong foundations contributes to greater stiffness.

 

As a large scale fan, my "benchwork" will be terra firma in my backyard!

 

Definitely qualifies as "Other" :teeth:


Ed

 

I used a combination of techniques on this layout so I can't say I have a favorite per say.
I used foam on plywood. The lower part is table top type. The upper part is cookie cutter style. The whole thing is on "girders" which allowed me to put it on casters so it is movable.
So as you see I have many 'styles' and basically use what works as opposed to advocating just one style or type.
Hope that answers your question.

 

I'm using 3/4" ply and 1/2" foam. This is for my lower level. The upper level is the 3/4" ply and 1/2" homasote (my major yard is track directly on homasote). The mainlines will use half a strip of HO cork roadbed, I wanted a taller ballast profile. The helix is 1/2" ply with N cork roadbed to keep the clearance maxamized.

 

Hmm, "HO Cork" for road bed. I like that idea. Let me think how I would apply it. Great Idea!.

 

Joe,

Check the standards link at www.hotrak.ca for specs on my type of modular "benchwork".

Andrew