Progress on a new layout, finally. (Updated 1/16/24)

@mowingman posted:

I think it was late spring when I last posted about getting the basement ready for a new layout. Well, due to family illness, a water heater leak/flood, and a bad knee, progress has been nonexistent. However, this past month, I have finally began putting up the benchwork for my new layout. Generally, it is 20'x8'. This is only about half the space I have available, but, I wanted to stick with a size I might actually be able to "finish" in my lifetime. I also needed to leave room for benchwork for a 2 rail "O" scale layout I had already started many years ago. I moved that benchwork all the way from our former home in Texas. After I get some Lionel running, I will turn my attention to working on the 2 rail layout. I have attached a photo of the benchwork, and a photo showing my soon to be available table space. No, I do not have any kind of plan. Once the tablework is finished, I plan on laying out the track and switches I have, and see what I can come up with. Currently it is a "blank slate".

I’ll be watching your plans develop, 8 x 20 is my layout size too.  Happy planning !

Rich

Welcome to my world.   I had a faint idea of how the track might go, but I really just decided on benchwork that used all the available space, then set to creating the track plan after that was done.  I've been told that's the wrong way to go about it, but I never was a good listener.

I moved this topic to the correct forum.  It is a better fit here rather than 3-rail traditional.

Thank you Alan.

Got the benchwork "done" today, and ready for Homasote. I used 1x4's for the framework, with 12" centers on the cross bracing. For the tabletop, I used 1/4" BC exterior plywood. I thought about using a thicker top, but it is hard for me to carry those thicker sheets to the basement and install them. Now, if the Menards, that is 35 miles away, has any in stock, I will go over and buy some sheets of Homasote for the top. That stuff is heavy, but I have been using Homasote for 30 years, and have not found anything else I like better. Also have to get a gallon of flat brown paint for a base coat. Can't wait to start throwing down track to come up with a plan.

A clean slate.....Enjoy !

Bob

I have reached the stage where I cut the Homosote (plywood) in half, before I carry it to the train room.  I still remember when I could carry full sheets.  Oh happy days (at least not in quarters yet).

Carry on.

Jerry

Looks good. I would have went with at least 1/2” base but I understand why you did what you did. I can’t wait to see what that 2 rail layout looks like. 🤗

Good luck and keep us posted.

Since the last post, I have bought and cut my homasote top, and today I  glued/screwed it down. Getting the Homasote turned out to be quite a task. I decided on Homasote again, as I have used it before. That meant a 35 mile trip to Menards, where they showed it in stock. I am currently dealing with a bad knee and a bad back. Anyway, the Menards is huge, and of course, the Homasote was way off near the back. To top it off, It was stacked on a shelf about shoulder high. I needed 6 sheets, but that was not happening without some help. Well, help is hard to find at Menards, but I finally found two young employees who loaded up my cart for me. Naturally, Menards does not offer cutting service like Lowes and HD do. So, I had to load this heavy 4x8 stuff myself.After struggling to get the sheets loaded on my trailer I drove home. Since I could not get it cut at the store, I had to cut everything out in the cold on my driveway. But, finally got it cut and test-fitted on the benchwork. Today, I glued it down with wood glue and snugged it down good with screws. After the glue dries, I will pull out most of the screws, then paint it brown. I bought a gallon of "cheap" brown paint at Sherwin williams last week.

Long story Short: I love Homasote, but will never use it again in the future. Just too darn heavy for this old man.

I got the top of the layout table painted today. I have used a light brown for a base coat. It is a mix from Sherwin Williams, using their cheapest flat interior paint. The raw Homasote soaked up just over half a gallon for one coat, but it covered well. Shiny areas in the photo are wet spots, where the paint has not yet dried. I need to come up with a name for this layout now. Have several in mind, but no decision yet. also need to come up with some kind of track plan. I am just going to lay out all the track and switches I have, and see what I can eventually come up with.