From Tables to Benchwork.. Please help.

Hi Micheal,

Given your objectives, an "around the room" style layout is ABSOLUTELY the way to go.  In an 8x16 room you can have four independent mainlines that are all O-72 or larger if you go "around the room."

I would suggest building 24" wide bench work on one of the 16ft. walls and 36" wide benchwork on the other.  That will leave a 3ft isle in the middle.  You can have a yard on the 36" side.

  It sounds like the most difficult feature for you would be constructing the supporting structure (legs and braces) under the benchwork.  The simplest system would be a modular leg and support system such as Mianne offers.  However, you could certainly build adequate supports with 2x4's, a chop saw, and and a drill.  Either way, the legs and supports can be topped with plywood and trimmed to fit with a saber saw.

If you're interested in help with the track design and construction you can contact me off the forum at the e-mail in my profile.

Ditto!  Around the room...with conventional and an island you would be moving around

the island a lot to survey the trains, like too many steps in a kitchen.  With around the

room you can more easily track everything, with less movement, maybe standing or

sitting in the middle of the room (king of the hill) and, of course, have the longer runs and wider curves, than the island's space all around the room along the walls, needed for you to move around the layout.  And on a island layout, if it is wide, access

holes need to be provided, and maybe one of those Micro-Mark counterbalanced "ladders", needed to reach the center.

some suggestions here;

http://lionelllc.wordpress.com...ain-platform-part-1/

I did around the wall too when faced with a similar situation. The lionel blog link is good but I built mine so it could be "module" so that I can just take out sections if I ever move (the goal is this would be the last one I would rip up and start again!). I did 30" wide on the regular sections (some top wood waste but I wanted bigger for scenery and such) and did 48" wide for the yard, each 4' long. I did 1x3 for under the plywood, and on the 30" sections 1x3 for the legs and 2x4's under the 48" yard area so that I can walk/crawl on it if need be. The miter saw should be fine for you and you can have the plywood retailer rough cut the sheets for you to the size you want. You can do it!

I agree with Dave on round-the-wall benchwork. My small 9x16 attic layout is similar to your space and I was able to go with some 084/096 mainline curves.072 and even an 084 curve arc will work fine in your space. I used 1x4,2x4, 1/2" plywood for the benchwork because for me it is the simplest to construct.

Few raw photos below.

Your church tables would be the easiest and cheapest. 

I built my layout on top of plastic folding tables. It a modular design that can easily be taken down and transported or stored away. 

Here's some of my pictures from my layout. I use a cleat around the room. It's minimally invasive to my home. It's mounted to the studs and I use a rail (cleat) around the interior walls to give it support. It stabilizes it too. As you can see I have room under it for storage. The legs are spread apart no more than 4'. It also allows for room for the transformers underneath to power the lights and accessories. Maybe this can give you some ideas. The legs aren't finished, I have an idea for them to make them look like iron riveted girders.