Gotta keep the railroad running to deliver supplies for the town expansion. 
Joe, the benchwork for the O gauge looks great! That is a neat design to have the two layouts overlap each other like that. I don't think I would have ever thought of it.
@Mark Boyce posted:Joe, the benchwork for the O gauge looks great! That is a neat design to have the two layouts overlap each other like that. I don't think I would have ever thought of it.
It helps to have a room the size of a bowling alley Mark. Not like you and me.....
@RSJB18 posted:It helps to have a room the size of a bowling alley Mark. Not like you and me.....
Bob, I was going to comment about the large room, but I had when Joe was first adding his railroadiana, so I didn’t this time. 😄
Joe, the benchwork is nice, neat, and built well. That’s an advantage of L-girder that it’s quick, easy to build, and is solid. Nice job.
Andy
WOW Joe, you are doing outstanding work and moving at a record pace! You make things look so easy! I know I have been struggling, but seeing your post gives folks like me hope! LOL
Thanks guys.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. The next step for me is one of my weaknesses.
2/14/23 - I finished the framing of the O gauge bench work. This monstrosity........I mean engineering feat of modern construction actually has a purpose. I will be constructing a double track curved trestle at some point. I wanted to provide a low base for the bottom support. Looking back I'm sure I could have come up with an easier way to build this instead of angling all of the framing. 
However, it will serve the purpose and eventually be covered up.
I also installed the the pipe hangers for the wiring. Well, I installed most of them until I ran out. 
Not sure how I miss counted by 13. Oh well, I'm sure I will be back to Home Depot someday.
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The benchwork looks great, Joe! That will make for a nice curved trestle. I can easily miscount! I needed more hangers, and totally forgot to get any last trip to the store.
Joe, I also posted this in your thread about decking and the next step for the layout. Alex Muller had a terrific layout called the Hidden Pass Junction RR. He has some interesting benchwork and hopefully some possible solutions for you too. Here is the link: https://ogrforum.com/...-andamp-video?page=1
Andy
Thanks Andy.
Very impressive, Joe.
Tom
Looks great Joe. I would recommend a tie wrap (which you may already be planning), every few feet to hold the wires tight above the standard gauge line. Wouldn't want a loco to grab a low hanging wire and start pulling.
And if I remembered everything I needed on each HD/ Lowes trip, I would be amazed.
Bob
Nice curve base Joe, I am it will work just as you envisioned it too! If not I am sure you will figure it out and come up with something spectacular!
Let's hope Mike. 
Thanks!
3/24/23 - The roadbed for the O gauge track has been cut out. I posted another thread on the Forum asking for other member's opinions on how to make the roadbed since this type of construction is new to me. I got a lot of good information. I ultimately decided to cut the roadbed out of 1/2" birch plywood, following the curves and straights of the layout of the track.
I drew the layout of the roadbed on CAD. I then broke it up into sections where I thought it would lay out the most efficiently on the plywood sheets.
Then on the computer I took those sections and fit them together on 4'x8' sheets of plywood, arranging them for the best fit and minimizing plywood waste. It worked out that I need four sheets of plywood. Here is a drawing one of the layouts.
Next, I printed out full size drawings of the plywood layouts. I then cut out each paper piece of roadbed. These paper patterns were laid on top of the plywood sheets and traced with a marker.
Then it was time to fire up the jig saw. It did take a while to get all the pieces cut out. The roadbed sections were taken downstairs and laid on top of the L-girder benchwork. It took some maneuvering to get everything correctly in place. I still have to do some minor trimming and also add some additional joists where needed.
Next will be the splices for the roadbed sections and the installation of the riser supports.
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@NJCJOE this is some incredible work! Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!
Looks good, Joe - what was the thickness of the birch plywood you used for the roadbed ?
@NJCJOE posted:3/24/23 - The roadbed for the O gauge track has been cut out. I posted another thread on the Forum asking for other member's opinions on how to make the roadbed since this type of construction is new to me. I got a lot of good information. I ultimately decided to cut the roadbed out of birch plywood, following the curves and straights of the layout of the track.
I drew the layout of the roadbed on CAD. I then broke it up into sections where I thought it would lay out the most efficiently on the plywood sheets.
Then on the computer I took those sections and fit them together on 4'x8' sheets of plywood, arranging them for the best fit and minimizing plywood waste. It worked out that I need four sheets of plywood. Here is a drawing one of the layouts.
Next, I printed out full size drawings of the plywood layouts. I then cut out each paper piece of roadbed. These paper patterns were laid on top of the plywood sheets and traced with a marker.
Then it was time to fire up the jig saw. It did take a while to get all the pieces cut out.
Next will be the splices for the roadbed sections and the installation of the riser supports.
Wow Joe you’re a one man engineering firm. Very impressive.
Jay
WOW Joe not only Amazing and a ton of work! But your the only person I know who has a printer that can print out a 4'X 8" Print!
Things are really looking outstanding!
very professional
Joe, well thought out design and the craftsmanship is spot on!
Gene
@mike g. posted:WOW Joe not only Amazing and a ton of work! But your the only person I know who has a printer that can print out a 4'X 8" Print!
Things are really looking outstanding!
Actually, I had to make 2'x8' prints and splice them together. 
Our work plotter only goes up to 36" wide.
@NJCJOE posted:Actually, I had to make 2'x8' prints and splice them together.
fringe benefits from work! Very cool!
I guess I if needed I could always go to the local printing shop and have them do it! Thanks for the information.
Joe, using the computer really made for a great use of plywood! By the time I was ready to print my layout plan, I no longer had use of the plotter at work since I was retired. Printing over 100 8-1/2x11 sheets and taping them together was a pain and a cause of slight misalignment. The roadbed looks like it will work out great!
@mike g. posted:fringe benefits from work! Very cool!
I guess I if needed I could always go to the local printing shop and have them do it! Thanks for the information.
@NJCJOE- great work on the roadbed. A little time spent in CAD saves a lot of time in the shop (and a lot of wasted plywood). I have a 36" wide format printer in my office too. It's only B&W though so I can't print my backdrops on it.
Bob
@NJCJOE posted:3/24/23 - The roadbed for the O gauge track has been cut out. I posted another thread on the Forum asking for other member's opinions on how to make the roadbed since this type of construction is new to me. I got a lot of good information. I ultimately decided to cut the roadbed out of birch plywood, following the curves and straights of the layout of the track.
I drew the layout of the roadbed on CAD. I then broke it up into sections where I thought it would lay out the most efficiently on the plywood sheets.
Then on the computer I took those sections and fit them together on 4'x8' sheets of plywood, arranging them for the best fit and minimizing plywood waste. It worked out that I need four sheets of plywood. Here is a drawing one of the layouts.
Next, I printed out full size drawings of the plywood layouts. I then cut out each paper piece of roadbed. These paper patterns were laid on top of the plywood sheets and traced with a marker.
Then it was time to fire up the jig saw. It did take a while to get all the pieces cut out.
Next will be the splices for the roadbed sections and the installation of the riser supports.
Impressive!!!!!
Peter
@NJCJOE posted:3/24/23 - The roadbed for the O gauge track has been cut out. I posted another thread on the Forum asking for other member's opinions on how to make the roadbed since this type of construction is new to me. I got a lot of good information. I ultimately decided to cut the roadbed out of birch plywood, following the curves and straights of the layout of the track.
I drew the layout of the roadbed on CAD. I then broke it up into sections where I thought it would lay out the most efficiently on the plywood sheets.
Then on the computer I took those sections and fit them together on 4'x8' sheets of plywood, arranging them for the best fit and minimizing plywood waste. It worked out that I need four sheets of plywood. Here is a drawing one of the layouts.
Next, I printed out full size drawings of the plywood layouts. I then cut out each paper piece of roadbed. These paper patterns were laid on top of the plywood sheets and traced with a marker.
Then it was time to fire up the jig saw. It did take a while to get all the pieces cut out.
Next will be the splices for the roadbed sections and the installation of the riser supports.
Now THAT is how you build model railroad benchwork!
You should submit this as an article in OGR. You've already written most of the text and have great pictures. It would be a service to your fellow modelers, and you'd make a few hundred bucks.
Excellent process and execution Joe. Well done and impressive.
Andy
05/07/23 - The O gauge roadbed installation is complete. It was more work than I had anticipated. A lot of checking and re-checking levels to get everything right. I have a few small grades going from one end of the layout to the other. I was able to keep the maximum grade at around 1-3/4%, most is closer to 1%. I was amazed at how many roadbed splices and risers I need to cut. Here are some of them.
Once all the sub-roadbed was in place, I covered it with the foam roadbed a lot of the modelers get from the gentlemen on Ebay. The stuff is great. So easy to work with. I did find cutting the section down the middle for the curves made it easier to lay down. This was attached to the plywood sub-roadbed with white glue.
I'm sure a lot of you have been following corsair29's layout build and deconstruction thread here on the Forum.
https://ogrforum.com/...tructon-update4-7-13
Steve is a friend of mine and I had always admired his double track curved trestle he had on his layout. I spent a lot of time over the years studying the trestle and taking pictures of it. When it came time to design my layout, I had decided to incorporate a similar type trestle. So, at the end of one of my islands I left a depressed area for this future structure.
Well, Steve has started dismantling his layout for a future move. 
He graciously offered the trestle to me for use on my layout. After a lot of measuring and tweaking of my layout design, I was finally able to get Steve's trestle to fit my benchwork. I am so excited to have this as part of my layout. Steve and his brother did an amazing job building this structure and I'm honored that it can continue to have trains running across it. Thanks my friend.
Next up is track laying. 
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My hat's off to you. Great, great work.
Steven J. Serenska
Joe, it was worth the tweaking. That will make a stunning feature on your layout, as it did on Steve's. well done.
Andy
Running at Steve's before the unbuild.
The trestle has found a proper new home. Good luck.
Walter
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Wow! Progress is fantastic and the curved trestle is amazing. Thanks for sharing
I’m so glad it fit your layout.
Cant wait see trains cross it again!
@NJCJOE posted:I was amazed at how many roadbed splices and risers I need to cut.
Next up is track laying.
Isn't it amazing how the time to do a planned project expands exponentially!
Well done, Joe.......really exceptional. The fact that you could fit in Steve's trestle is really great.... Steve's layout will live on in yours! Very, very, cool!
Good to see you at York.
Peter
Joe, your roadbed looks great! Steve’s trestle really fit in well with your tweaking. What a great job he and his brother did with it!
Everything is looking great Joe! That trestle worked out very well!
Not much left to say.....glad that trestle didn't wind up in the dumpster.
Looks great Joe..
Bob
It's very cool that you found a home for the trestle, nice new feature!
