Bench-work suggestions for Track over another track in a tunnel and Woodland Scenic for Modular.

I would recommend using 2" foam as a base instead of plywood since you are building a modular layout.  It's lighter, easier to work with, and is plenty strong enough to support trains.  You can use it for both levels (full disclosure - it's what I'm doing with mine which will be 20x20x4 around the room).   I would use 1" thick plywood for supports though - a littler stronger than the Woodland Scenic foam supports.   You can get away with placing them 12"-18" apart depending on the length of the run and other scenic considerations.   As for the risers, use them in conjunction with the incline/decline starters - they come in multiple heights so you can get whatever height you desire.  You may want to buy a second set with Fasttrack and place side-by-side - you may find a single set too narrow for your tastes. 

-Greg

Make sure to embed an electrical wire under the top track. When you finish the structure, that wire can be connected to earth ground. If you ever run TMCC or Legacy in the future, you will be glad the wire is there to eliminate dead spots in the signal.

Even if you never plan to run TMCC or Legacy, adding the wire takes zero extra work and will be there when/if you need it.

ROYBOY, interesting comment which needs further explanation. Is the wire shielded or shielded. What gauge wire. Where does it connect to? Thank you. D 

DennisTiro posted:

ROYBOY, interesting comment which needs further explanation. Is the wire shielded or shielded. What gauge wire. Where does it connect to? Thank you. D 

Use any type of hook up wire. Not shielded. It can be insulated wire or it can be bare, as long as it does not touch the track. It does not need to be heavy wire, just heavy enough to not be too fragile.

It connects to earth ground - the third wire on the wall plug, or the screw that holds the face plate to the outlet, if your outlet is only two wire.

It forms an extension antenna for TMCC and Legacy. Sometimes the upper track blocks the signal to the lower track causing engine to stall and this wire will cure that.

Many folks mistakenly call this a ground plane, but all you need it a wire, not an entire plane.

Thank you. D

Good solutions have already been posted. If vertical clearance is tight or you need a long unsupported span an aluminum plate can be used.