Mianne bench 8 weeks

I'm extending the plywood to the edge of the legs, and then I'll be adding a fascia on the front to dress it up.

Good plan GRJ. I didn't realize it was a problem until trains were running and my grandson informed me there was not enough room to run the autos and trucks around the outside of the layout. Guess I should have had him test things as I was putting it all together...

Dear Forum,

We moved into our new home in 06/30/15.

My wife Patty told me the 2 car garage would be the perfect train room. I agreed!!

After about 2 months of prepping the layout room I contacted Tim Foley and asked him to design the benchwork for my 12x18 O Scale 2 rail layout.

Within 24 hours he sent me the detailed plan and cost of the project.

Tim and Lynn delivered the benchwork at the TCA York meet in October of 2015.

I put the benchwork together in November of 2015 and I completed it within 11hours using nothing more than a Phillips head screwdriver !!!!!

Tim and Lynn were great to work with

and has made a happy “little” boy at 62 years old !!

I would still be the design stage if it was not for the Mianne product.

I have some photos attached of the installation and progress of the layout.

Money well spent!!!!

Regards,

John

But... John...  Where do you put the cars?

Dear John

Our previous home of 39  years did not have a garage so our cars stay in the driveway.

As a independent insurance agent for 43 years we also found many homes we insure the garage area becomes a storage facility and also the cars stay outside.

I really like the idea of opening my garage door on a beautiful day and playing with my trains.

We live in a golf community and you would be surprised how many golfers has missed there tee time because they saw the trains and stopped !!

Regards, John

Anyone know if the Mianne bench work allows easy modifications?

My small layout has a subway level underneath and I would like to include that feature in my next layout.

Sean007 posted:

Anyone know if the Mianne bench work allows easy modifications?

My small layout has a subway level underneath and I would like to include that feature in my next layout.

Sean;

I’d say yes... I added a yard to my design after my initial layout was up and Tim was able to tie into the existing work. Also, I know that there are some folks on the forum who wanted an additional level, and Tim was able to drill additional attachment holes on the legs to allow for a lower level.

Apples55 posted:

Sean007 posted:

Anyone know if the Mianne bench work allows easy modifications?

My small layout has a subway level underneath and I would like to include that feature in my next layout.

Sean;

I’d say yes... I added a yard to my design after my initial layout was up and Tim was able to tie into the existing work. Also, I know that there are some folks on the forum who wanted an additional level, and Tim was able to drill additional attachment holes on the legs to allow for a lower level.

Thanks Paul.

Sean,

I assume that your layout already has Mianne Benchwork and now you want to add a lower level?

Jackson102,  I placed a kit order last year and the York meet was in the middle of my wait time.  I placed a second kit order a month ago, and of course York was in the way again.  I am very happy with the first kit.  In my case, I figured out I could buy 3 kits to serve my track plan, and spread the cost out over time.  It is worth the wait.

Cape Cod Northern, I talked with you at York back in 2017.  Thank you for describing all that goes on in the process.  You folks do a great job!!!

Sean007 posted:

Anyone know if the Mianne bench work allows easy modifications?

My small layout has a subway level underneath and I would like to include that feature in my next layout.

This isn’t quite a subway addition, but it shows how just adding extra holes to the legs lets you attach additional rails. Of course, it’s easiest to have Tim add them even if you don’t add the subway level right away. He’s got the jigs/templates for accurate drilling, etc.

I needed a second level on my turnback loop section.  The mainline will be on a steady incline on the regular Mianne transitioning to this top 4x4 1/2 foot section.  It isn't a modification like Dave showed with the modified level under the stock level, but I thought I would include it anyway

Sean007 posted:

Anyone know if the Mianne bench work allows easy modifications?

My small layout has a subway level underneath and I would like to include that feature in my next layout.

Yes it does. I did similar to what you are wanting to do with my benchwork only I used the lower level for storage shelves. I talked to Tim at the time of order and he added extra holes in the legs for me. About a month or so after getting my benchwork and setting it all up I ordered the extra parts to add the shelves. Of course it could have all been ordered at the same time, but I wanted to get things set up and make sure that is what I wanted to do. 

As others have said you can easily add on to your Mianne with more layout space or whatever you want later on. It's a very versatile system and Tim can assist if you want to make changes or additions. Very easily done at any time. You can even reconfigure your existing benchwork if you choose to do so, also very easy to do. Reworking the benchwork is the easy part, it would be the layout itself (track, scenery, wiring etc.) that would be the more difficult and time consuming part. I still plan to add on to mine. I started out like Mark above (a really good idea) with doing the layout in stages, ordering as I went along, but I keep getting side tracked...

RTR, I recall you did that with your Mianne!  Yes, Tim will send you any extra parts you realize you want at any time.  It’s a great system!!!

I did yes, and Tim helped with the planning, extra holes, etc. But, I have been stalled out for way too long on the rest of the additions, other than the shelves and transformer cart...