Finally building a layout

Congratulations Chris, that’s a very nice looking space.  What are the dimension going to be?

Great start Chris!

This is going to be fun to watch. Based on the first photo showing 2-rail track, will this be a hybrid layout?

Dave

Wow what a wonderful blank canvas to begin your project, Keep posting photos so we can all follow along.

Wow, that looks like an Atlas warehouse !

Good for you Chris!   What a nice overall setup you have now - PLEASE add whatever backdrop you plan on using (or simply paint in some clouds with variety) before you go any further!

One consideration for roadbed could be ripping long sections of any of the fiber 4 x 8 sheets of sub-flooring or insulating materials sold today. I'm not familiar with any of the brands out there now but perhaps others can make suggestions. Rip the strips at a 45 degree angle to be used as a base with beveled sides for your roadbed. For curves you can cut slots in them to allow the strips to bend.

Don't hesitate to mix Ross switches with the MTH ones as needed.  I think you'll be be pleased with the look and ease of working with ScaleTrax. Rich Batista and Dave Hikel are also a great source of information.

And yes, please keep us updated with photos.  :-)

Looks like you have a good start!

Very Nice!

Let's Go!!!

Wow very impressive Chris. I can tell alreay this is going to be fun to watch as you go along!

@Lehigh Valley Railroad posted:

Finally after 5 years in our house, we are planning on getting started on a layout.

Track chosen; MTH Scaletrax, hopefully this wasn’t an issue with the hard to find switches, but have lots of sectional and flex track.

What to use under the track? was thinking of not using a roadbed due to price and availability; hopefully this doesn’t prove to be foolish.

Added are some photos of some existed bench work that was purchased and being repurposed

Any insights or ideas woukd certainly be welcomed. Layout is planned to be along two walls and then freestanding on the other side

From a noise perspective, I think you'll be disappointed by laying the track directly onto a wood base and not using some type of roadbed to help deaden the sounds. There's a guy "sparks00033" on the 'bay that sells 1/4'" gray foam roadbed at what appears to be reasonable prices. You could also look into using adhesive automotive sound deadening material.

Chris, Your space and benchwork looks great!  I agree with others, it would be best to use some kind of fiber board, foam, whatever is available now without breaking the bank.  I can see your concern over expense after seeing the pile of Atlas boxes as trestleking noted.  IT's no fun spending money on something that will be covered up, but it will help with an excess of sound.