As I am now an official member of the "Arm-Chair" Model Railroader Club, I've been doing my due diligence and pouring over past magazine articles and studying benchwork during the cold wintry evenings. I am very interested in curved benchwork and would like to see anyone's work where they've incorporated such building technique. Thanks.
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Paul - Here's what I used as home-made benchwork under my layout. None of the benchwork is curved per se, but I laid 1/2" plywood with a curved perimeter onto the benchwork, usually extending about 6" beyond the benchwork itself.
Bob A.
Bob,
Hope you don't mind me asking: you mention 6" overhang using 1/2" plywood. Don't know how old your layout is, and don't know if you are stressing those 6" in any way (such as having track with trains running on it), but want to ask: has it held up?? That is, not sagged?
Nice work BTW!
thanks - walt
Bob
That is some impressive benchwork. How long did it take ( actual time ) to finish it? Any photos of the layout?
Do a search for tom tee on this board, the best curved benchwork I have ever seen, or google curved benchwork.
It's easiest to accomplish with L-girder construction. 
Jim
Walt - The layout is about 3 years old. On top of the 1/2" plywood I've got 2" of blue foam. I never crawl or lean heavily on the layout, and the 6" of overlap easily handles track, trains, etc.
Electroliner - The benchwork only took about two weeks. It helped tremendously to have a small "chop saw" that made accurate 45 degree and 30- and 60-degree cuts. It's 1x3, with 2x2 legs, and small scrap wood as cross-supports for the legs. A picture of the finished layout is attached.
Bob A.
Walt - The layout is about 3 years old. On top of the 1/2" plywood I've got 2" of blue foam. I never crawl or lean heavily on the layout, and the 6" of overlap easily handles track, trains, etc.
Electroliner - The benchwork only took about two weeks. It helped tremendously to have a small "chop saw" that made accurate 45 degree and 30- and 60-degree cuts. It's 1x3, with 2x2 legs, and small scrap wood as cross-supports for the legs. A picture of the finished layout is attached.
Bob A.
How big is the layout
Alan - It's only 12' x 13', in a spare bedroom in a condominium. No big basements in California!! :-(
Bob A.
well still bigger than my rooms an Sherry said to put them outside it is on the kitchen table now thinking puting my son bed room when he moves it 9x 15
This is a fantastic layout. I love the idea of being able to see everything from multiple angles. Do you have any more pictures? Where does the second level go?
SB - Thanks for your comments. For more pictures and information, see Classic Toy Trains, Dec 2011, pp 54-57; OGR Oct-Nov 2011, pp 69-70; my book about the layout (which can be previewed without buying it) at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2597553 ; and my video series (12 short videos to date) at http://www.youtube.com/rha90272/
Bob A.
SB - Thanks for your comments. For more pictures and information, see Classic Toy Trains, Dec 2011, pp 54-57; OGR Oct-Nov 2011, pp 69-70; my book about the layout (which can be previewed without buying it) at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2597553 ; and my video series (12 short videos to date) at http://www.youtube.com/rha90272/
Bob A.
Man that's great. Thank you!
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