Finally making progress on my switching layout - bench work completed, sky background painted, lighting installed, and almost all track laid. Size is 3 feet by 19 feet. I have left 1 foot between the backdrop and rear most track so there is plenty of space for buildings and scenery behind the track. Next step is to wire the switch machines and DCC.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Looking good!
Peter
Beautiful bench work. You should be able to park a truck in it!
Gilly
Very nice crisp workmanship!
Best thing, no legs. tt
Very nicely done, Matthew! Consider doing a how-to article for the magazine on the building of your layout, and another one later on to describe operations.
I need all the small and mid-size layouts I can get, and would certainly welcome switching layout articles as well. I especially like seeing O gauge (2-rail or 3-rail) used for operating scenarios.
That looks very good, Matthew! Excellent word. I really look forward to see your progress!
Shaping up nicely.
Matthew,
Where does the curve go?
i built my bench work pretty much the same, no legs, all attached to the wall, with shelves for boxes underneath.
looks very nice.
Matthew,
Where does the curve go?
i built my bench work pretty much the same, no legs, all attached to the wall, with shelves for boxes underneath.
looks very nice.
What is a little different about this is that it is not attached to the wall. It is actually hanging from the ceiling joists. There are 1x4's behind the backdrop that are bolted to the ceiling joists. I did this so as not to put holes through the concrete blocks.
For now the curve goes through the backdrop and through a doorway into the next room. But there is only about 3 feet of track behind the backdrop. For now I can attach a staging shelf to the end to bring a cut of cars in for switching. In order to go further I will have to negotiate "trackage rights" with my wife. 
Shelves are a great idea. I plan on adding some once I get some of the background scenery in place.
After looking at a lot of lighting options, I settled for track lights with small cans. This allows me to easily add and remove cans as needed. And change colors for special effects.
Currently there are 12 cans. I am using CFL bulbs rated at 1600 lumens/23 watts each. They are 5000K temp which simulates natural daylight. When all are turned on it gets very bright. But at only 23 watts each that is only a total of 276 watts, so it is fairly inexpense to operate them.
I looked at LEDs but was way too expensive. Some day when the price if LED's comes down I may give them a try.
Personally I don't like the light from CFLs - I prefer the incandescent light. But to get the same lumen output would have requied twelve 100 watt bulbs, but that add up to 1200 watts - more electric cost and lots of heat!
After looking at a lot of lighting options, I settled for track lights with small cans. This allows me to easily add and remove cans as needed. And change colors for special effects.
Currently there are 12 cans. I am using CFL bulbs rated at 1600 lumens/23 watts each. They are 5000K temp which simulates natural daylight. When all are turned on it gets very bright. But at only 23 watts each that is only a total of 276 watts, so it is fairly inexpense to operate them.
I looked at LEDs but was way too expensive. Some day when the price if LED's comes down I may give them a try.
Personally I don't like the light from CFLs - I prefer the incandescent light. But to get the same lumen output would have requied twelve 100 watt bulbs, but that add up to 1200 watts - more electric cost and lots of heat!
Your layout is the same size as mine, and I also use 12 cans in the room but they are running 75 watt halogen bulbs, needless to say that room gets HOT, real fast. I haven't been able to find any CFL's to fit the smaller cans locally. Where did you find those bulbs at?
Very nice.
After looking at a lot of lighting options, I settled for track lights with small cans. This allows me to easily add and remove cans as needed. And change colors for special effects.
Currently there are 12 cans. I am using CFL bulbs rated at 1600 lumens/23 watts each. They are 5000K temp which simulates natural daylight. When all are turned on it gets very bright. But at only 23 watts each that is only a total of 276 watts, so it is fairly inexpense to operate them.
I looked at LEDs but was way too expensive. Some day when the price if LED's comes down I may give them a try.
Personally I don't like the light from CFLs - I prefer the incandescent light. But to get the same lumen output would have requied twelve 100 watt bulbs, but that add up to 1200 watts - more electric cost and lots of heat!
Your layout is the same size as mine, and I also use 12 cans in the room but they are running 75 watt halogen bulbs, needless to say that room gets HOT, real fast. I haven't been able to find any CFL's to fit the smaller cans locally. Where did you find those bulbs at?
You may have cans that are smaller than mine. My cans measure about 4 inches in diameter across the opening. So they hold a standard size bulb. The bulbs are just standard CFL bulbs that I bought at Lowes. If you look at my pictures at the top of this string you will see that they do stick out of the cans by about 1 inch. The cans were designed to hold CFL spotlight bulbs. I tried spotlights bulbs but the result was just that - spot lighting rather than even lighting coverage across the entire layout.
Matt:
Personally speaking, this is the BEST type of 0 scale layout! Good luck and please post MANY pictures as you move forward. I presently have a 12'X34' "monster" in my basement, but just might be downsizing as the years tick by - and YOUR plan seems perfect!!
Peter Trunk, NJ
Matthew, I sent you an email, not sure if you got it or not.
You got those bulbs from Lowes.... are they the standard spiral type CFL's? and how much were they per bulb? 1600 lumens? man that is a lot of light per bulb.
I have the same cans that you have, mine are just white.
great start on the layout. i really love the way you supported the benchwork so that there would be no legs. a fantastic idea if i didn't have plastered ceilings where i'm building my layout i would copy that in an instant. one question tho how can you have the control to just have a layout this size? i'll be building in an area of almost 1000 sf and still not enough room for an out of control train addict. really can't wait to see your progress.
Matthew, I sent you an email, not sure if you got it or not.
You got those bulbs from Lowes.... are they the standard spiral type CFL's? and how much were they per bulb? 1600 lumens? man that is a lot of light per bulb.
I have the same cans that you have, mine are just white.
I just responded to your email. But for others who might be interested, I attached a photo of the bulbs I am using and the box. I got these at Lowes. It has been a few months so I don't remember the exact cost, but it was between $6 and $10 for the box of 4.
At 1600 lumens per bulb, it is a lot of light. But at only 23 watts per bulb (x12) that's only 276 watts - low heat and low cost to operate.
Matthew
great start on the layout. i really love the way you supported the benchwork so that there would be no legs. a fantastic idea if i didn't have plastered ceilings where i'm building my layout i would copy that in an instant. one question tho how can you have the control to just have a layout this size? i'll be building in an area of almost 1000 sf and still not enough room for an out of control train addict. really can't wait to see your progress.
Control is simple - lack of time and lack of money!
I also like to focus on detailing my structures and scenery. So I figure it will take me 10 years to fill up this space.
I also have a plan for expansion. The hole in the backdrop goes into the next room. For now I will have a short staging track there.
Matthew
Thanks Matthew, got your email. 
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
