Time for me to make a layout again this time I will only make something I can take down no more permanent .. I really like the way they remade the 148 8x8 or 5x9 (think) it was Grazbowski trains has them for sale .. 5-6K but I would like to make my own..
Are there blue prints for them or somewhere I can get at least a better picture of one.. I did a search and found nothing.Thanks DANiel
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Innovative benchwork design. This system bolts together using 1/4 inch hex head bolts. It can be easily dis-assembled with a socket ratchet tool. It is designed using convenient sections which are 3 foot, 4 foot and 6 foot lengths. Uses 1x4 and 2x4 lumber. All sections bolt together. No nails are used. Can be assembled in minutes. All pieces are color coded for easy assembly. Very sturdy.
This appears to be very nice modular benchwork, even if some think it's overkill. I'm not sure why Pro Hobby didn't post this link to his thread that shows more details, especially how to connect the sections, and some discussion of its merits. I'm not quite sure how this works with cookie-cutter style layouts, but I'll be looking at it further in March when I start looking for construction alternatives more earnestly. While I may adopt this system, I'm sure I'll use some variant. When I first saw it, I noted how the sections are connected between the lower cross-members, but I didn't see a similar connection near the top. I was left wondering if/how the sections are connected at the top and how stable it is.
This appears to be very nice modular benchwork, even if some think it's overkill. I'm not sure why Pro Hobby didn't post this link to his thread that shows more details, especially how to connect the sections, and some discussion of its merits. I'm not quite sure how this works with cookie-cutter style layouts, but I'll be looking at it further in March when I start looking for construction alternatives more earnestly. While I may adopt this system, I'm sure I'll use some variant. When I first saw it, I noted how the sections are connected between the lower cross-members, but I didn't see a similar connection near the top. I was left wondering if/how the sections are connected at the top and how stable it is.
The sections bolt together using 1/4 inch hex head bolts. See the photos.
What I'm curious about is a counterpart to this connection near the top. I see how this connects the bottom part of the legs, but I haven't seen how the same legs are secured closer to the top. I assume there is a similar cross-piece between the upper rails, but I'd like to see some confirmation.
Hi DanssuperO,
The last post in this thread has some nice photos of the D-148. Lionel Dealer Display Layouts. It appears to be an 8 x 8 with the bridges being the link for assembly\disassembly.
Bob Osterhoff's dvd is probably your best source for the instruction sheets.
What I'm curious about is a counterpart to this connection near the top. I see how this connects the bottom part of the legs, but I haven't seen how the same legs are secured closer to the top. I assume there is a similar cross-piece between the upper rails, but I'd like to see some confirmation.
A similar 1x4 cross-piece can also be installed using 1/4 inch hex head bolts at the top.
Sorry if I'm not being clear, but is that what you've done or did you just let the bottom "cleat" tie things together, that's the part I'm not seeing in any of the photos. It just seems that without a top cleat, the benchwork wouldn't be stable until after the sub-roadbed is added and the top of the legs would have to be clamped together or something until a top is added. It's not a big deal, I'm sure the assembly is stable enough, it just seems that there'd be both an upper and lower cleat. 
Sorry if I'm not being clear, but is that what you've done or did you just let the bottom "cleat" tie things together, that's the part I'm not seeing in any of the photos. It just seems that without a top cleat, the benchwork wouldn't be stable until after the sub-roadbed is added and the top of the legs would have to be clamped together or something until a top is added. It's not a big deal, I'm sure the assembly is stable enough, it just seems that there'd be both an upper and lower cleat.
The 1x4 "cleat" if needed can be placed across the top as well. I have found that when all the sections are bolted together the final assembly is extremely stable and sturdy. Upper and lower cleats also stabilize the assemblies.
Also remember that sections connected at right angles use a "bulkhead" assembly. See attachments.
Ok, I never noticed that and I should have. Thanks.
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