We have started

[vernon1]

We have finished the bench work and moved it into the house. We know we want some form of Dearborn station, port, stock yard and than up a mountian to a mine on a 3 ft X 8 ft lay out. Can we do it?
Bench work Frame (2).JPG

[absnut]

Good start! I think you'll find with careful thought and "compression", you can get all you want on there. Good luck and welcome to nScale.net!

[seanm]

Looks very strong!!! I like the legs the way you made them. Are you a cabinet maker?

What sort of plan do you see in that space? Will you be able to get to all sides of it? Could be very interesteg if devided in the middle with a seperate scene on each side.

[vernon1]

Thanks we are not caninet makers Donna and I are self taught woodworkers, we have I nice shop, we jumped in to woodworking like we jumped into N scale.

[turbine682]

Hi Vernon1 and Donna!

Nice job on the bench work and good deal with the shop/woodworking

Keep in touch and good luck!

--Ed

[epumph]

Welcome aboard! It is great to see a team working on the layout! Should make things more fun as well as go a lot faster! Keep those pix coming!

[vernon1]

Week 2 we spent the week trying to deside what would fit we want more than we have room for. Clutter is all ready trouble I need to spend Wendesday making storage cabinets to fit under the layout.

[MisterMahoney]

(Green with envy at your woodworking shop ) Probably best I don't have that... I'd prolly lose my thumbs day one.

[vernon1]

Note to self don't push the more button in the middle of your reply it will go away. Anyway I got the 1st order of C55 track yesterday. I found a plan on pg 44 "Nine N Scale Railroads ..." The plan is for C80 so I am going to change the radii to 12.5 or grater. Lots to do I have the cabinet for under the layout 1/2 finished. I want to get some track down in case I was to get a DCC control and Loco for Xmas Not likely I do have a old "1970ish N9" Diesel in a box some where I could run to check track wonder if it still works.

[RBMNfan]

that locomotive will not sit on the code 55 track with the huge pizza cutter wheels.

[vernon1]

Thanks now I won't go looking for it.

[Jimmi (RIP)]

Welcome to our site Vernon1. I agree with the others that you are off to a good start with that sturdy benchwork. You mention clutter. I'll show you clutter! My layout is an "around the walls" taking up half of a three car garage, with storage space under it all...and I still have boxes sitting all over the place.
A little off topic BTW. You asked in another forum (birthday wishes) if they still made Narragansett Beer. I havn't been to New England for years, so I googled it. The brewery in Cranston closed in 1981. It became available again in 2006 but is actually brewed by High Falls Brewing Co. in Rochester NY.

[vernon1]

A train show in Brewer Maine 12 mi from my house! There are more N scale shops in Maine than I thought. Donna picked up some kits to start on. We need to get her signed up here so she can post progress.

[BryanC (RIP)]

... We need to get her signed up here so she can post progress.

We? Sounds more like a job for you!

But get her signed up by all means! Donna is very welcome indeed!

[vernon1]

I don't know if I should continue this thread with updates or start new so here is a up date!
I asked what size ply I should use a while back and basically was answered 1/2",5/8",3/4" being me I thought that was thick in N scale so I went with 1/4" after all I have lots of frame under it. Wrong 1/4" is not good, it is not stiff enough, looks like 1/2" will work. So back to the store for a new start. I did find after cutting the 1/4" cooker cuter out and putting temporally on the bench work things didn't look as I expected so a little plan modification is also in order. Do you find the paper plan gets changed as it gos on the layout? I keep telling myself this is the layout you are learning on.

[BryanC (RIP)]

I know most people will shy away from 1/4 inch plywood! But I found it worked just fine for me and I will probably use it again. As you said, it needs plenty of support but I have not had a problem with it!

So far as a new thread or continuing here I would suggest you consider your blog. That would be a great place for it. Otherwise maybe a new thread with a link to it at the end of this one! However, if you really to continue with this thread then please do! It's all up to you!

[absnut]

I tried 1/4" on my last layout but with less than desirable results. I don't believe I braced it enough. I have usually used 3/8" with good results, especially using the cookie cutter method.

[BryanC (RIP)]

I tried 1/4" on my last layout but with less than desirable results. I don't believe I braced it enough. I have usually used 3/8" with good results, especially using the cookie cutter method.

To each his own and everyone, please try it all and use what's best for you!

I have always found the 1/2 inch to be way too cumbersome to handle easily. Maybe the 3/8 would work better. I'll keep that in mind!

[MooseID]

"The best layed plans often go astray" - Robert Burns, Poet

[vernon1]

Looks like Sunday is becoming the day I can work on the train. I got the sub road base in place with all the elevations braced using 3/8 ply, it is way better than 1/4 IMHO. Changing from 3' to 4' wide was also a good choice. I elevated 0 to 3/4" and drop ¾ to where the track crosses, the upper level only has to rise 3/4" so the crossing is 1 1/2" and grade is not close to 3%. All curves are 15 degrees I am ready to glue cork road bed and track.