NPH&ARR - Benchwork for deep along wall layout. | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum

sinclairOGR Forum Member

I haven't seen any area where to get help for benchwork. I've seen a post here or there with a dedicated questions, but nothing on general benchwork planning and design. I've never done benchwork, and am not sure where to start. I've found videos online for N and HO, but O is bigger and heavier. Is there some "standards" or general guide lines that everyone follows. Is 1x4's okay, or do I need to use 2x4's? What's a good spacing for braces? Do people run them just one direction, or both directions?

More detail about my layout, it's L shaped, 5 foot deep along the long end, and 4 foot deep on the short, along two walls. I need to be able to store things under the layout, boxes and 1.5" rolling stock (The short of the long is I got my grandfather's equipment when he passed in the early 90's, and it's been stored in a shed in my aunt's backyard since. I need to get it out of the weather.), and I need to be able to get to the stuff. I own the house, so I can bolt to the walls, which I thought of doing at 1st, but 5' is too much of an overhang, and I don't want to loose space to the triangle braces. Would an L brace on the wall, with legs on the room side be enough to support the weight, or will I need legs in the middle too? How far can I space those legs apart and not worry about bowing?

Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks.

8/2/137:59 PM

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hokie71OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Do a search on Amazon "train benchmark" and the first few books are all good. You can get used copies cheap. This will give you the basic idea. There are also some good you tube videos. Once you get some ideas cooking you can search this forum for good discussions.

8/2/1310:50 PM

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Susan DeatsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Sinclair, here are some photos of my Run Room tables that my husband designed. I gave him the track plan and we set up a production line so we could build the tables. We used 1/2" plywood with Homasote on top. We should have used 3/4" plywood to prevent warping after Homasote was applied. (I have prototypical terrain for my track.)

Some tables are attached to the wall. Most would be considered free standing so there is a space for the baseboard heat air circulation. Your 4' and 5' table depths would be too deep for me to reach. I use 3/4" plywood platform dollies for storage under my layout. With the rolling storage I have easy access under the layout and protection against basement water damage.

The legs are 2 x 4s cut all one length. If I need more support I just stick a leg in. The legs are spaced to allow for easy platform dolly storage. The leg braces were mass produced out of 3/8" plywood and secure and square the legs quickly when the assembled tops are flipped upside down.