The benchwork on the new layout is progressing quite nicely. All five of the major sections have been completed. Next I will be connecting a couple of the major sections with shorter “bridge” pieces, including the swing (or drop) section across the room’s doorway. I also have to put in a number of angled pieces at intersections of the major sections, and I want to put in some reinforcement material in key places.
The framework is quite strong and is very light. In fact, it is so light that it is easy to move by bumping into it. I hope the added mass and weight of the (future) joists, risers, roadbed and scenery is enough to anchor the whole thing down. The legs aren’t secured to the floor as I don’t want to drill holes through the carpet into the concrete. I will be depending solely on layout weight to keep it in place.
I could probably wrap things up in about two weekends, however next weekend will be cut short while I take a break to do some railroading over at Lou Schultz’s C&O layout. I’m looking forward to the operating session. I also want to do one more evaluation of the roadbed elevations (heights above the floor) of his layout while there. I’ve tentatively set the various elevations of my roadbed based on my experiences operating at Lou’s. This will be my last chance to confirm my comfort with these elevations since my roadbed will likely start going in sometime in September.
The startling revelation has hit me recently that I need to start working on much more than the layout structure itself. I have an entire fleet of locomotives that need to be cleaned, adjusted, lubed and have DCC decoders installed. And only about 15% of my car fleet is assembled and ready. Only one structure that I plan to use is ready, and that is a mere shack. So much to do!
But the layout, after years and years of delay, is finally under construction. And that is good and I am pleased!
-Jack
Jack two or three 2.5 inch screws into wall studs on each wall, will make it all rigid. Put washer on screw head will stop it from pulling through wood.
Hi Art,
The benchwork adjacent to the walls has become more stable since tying the ends together at the corners. Adding the diagonal L-girder pieces at the corners helped a good bit and adding the peninsula butted up to the Willis area also helped.
In general, the peninsulas themselves are the problem areas. I’ve added diagonal L-girder pieces to the peninsula where butted up to the main benchwork and that helped rigidify it. I think with more weight on it, the stability will be okay. The other peninsula that starts near the doorway is anchored to the wall as you suggest. That part is rock solid, however the further away from the end wall you go, the easier it is to move. Of course, I had my chop saw in the aisle next to it and every time I squeezed past the saw, I would bump the layout. The saw is now moved, so I won’t be hitting it so often.
Still, I worry about someone simply leaning on the layout or inadvertently backing into it. If the additional weight of roadbed, track, scenery, etc. doesn’t sufficiently stabilize it, then I may have to bite the bullet and add floor anchors 🙁
Thanks for your suggestion.
-Jack