When I started my last layout about nine years ago the 2x4 pine I used did not have this dangerous additive. Sometime in the last few years they have added it to all framing wood. The symptoms are: sore back, knees, and arms. Weakness getting off the floor is a sign of being over exposed to this dangerous wood. The only cure is rest and a cold one. Builders of layouts beware! Don
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I think they call the additive-AGE!!!
Nice, get out in the Maui sun and all will be better.
Beware of another danger when framing a layout: as the layout ages it tends to get closer & closer to walls & obstructions you once thought there would be plenty of space to move around & under!
No, I think he's describing a four letter word starting with a W. I can't imagine building a layout there!!!
Hi Don, I hate to admit it but you got me for a second or two. It just goes to show you we will believe anything other then face old age.
gg1man
You are not the only one.
Also, don't leave a 2 or 3 foot length of 2x4 laying around then let your wife open the credit card bill with the latest "great deal on trains" you forgot to tell her about. Whoever classified pine as a "soft wood" never got a 2x4 upside the head...
Cheers,
Ken
That's why I use 2x3's; fewer chemicals, less wieght and easier to hide the scraps. Crisis delayed. 2x4's are over kill even when applied upside the head.
don,
If you need ANY help with those 2x4, just send a ticket from philadelphia to maui and I will work for FREE.....
Side note: Dimensional framing lumber listed as 2" X 4" is or maybe is 1 1/2" X 3 1/2" that's down from 1 5/8" X 3 5/8" (mid 20th century). I found this framing lumber in my daughter's home, Grove City PA. House dates to the early 1900's. So when was a 2 X 4 2" by 4"???? Most of the framing lumber is oak, you think pine is hard. 
Dimensional lumber used to actually measure 2"x4" or 6" ... but it was rough cut. They started dressing the lumber mid 40's early 50" by planing each side about 1/4". That's why it measures 1/2" less.
I measure less than I used to, too - lost nearly an inch of height due to "shrinkage" in the last forty years, so I really can't be to hard on the lumber for doing the same.
Poor Don! If he gets a splinter in his finger from handling that lumber, he'll have to knock off work and go sit beside the pool with a cool one for an hour or so; perhaps do a few laps in the refreshing water; or head down to the beach where he can swim with the dolphins before returning to the tedious task of layout building. 
Heck I once was alergic to wood. LOL! Yes, it made my butt red and brought tears to my eyes. Try that today?
When I was buiding our new house I went to the lumber yard and told the guys at the contractor desk that I was opening up a restaurant that served Porterhouse steaks. They were interested. I told them that we were going to give the guys at the lumber company a special deal, 16 OZ PRIME USDA PORTERHOUSE STEAKS FOR $12.95.
They said that they would surely come. I told them the only catch was the steak would be only 8 oz even though they were paying for 16 oz. I explained that it was the lumberman's special. They didn't understand. I told them that the 2x4's you sell me are neither choice or 2x4.......they got it and laughed. 
Side note: Dimensional framing lumber listed as 2" X 4" is or maybe is 1 1/2" X 3 1/2" that's down from 1 5/8" X 3 5/8" (mid 20th century). I found this framing lumber in my daughter's home, Grove City PA. House dates to the early 1900's. So when was a 2 X 4 2" by 4"???? Most of the framing lumber is oak, you think pine is hard.
I wouldn't be surprised if that was originally 2x4 and just shrunk as it aged and dried out.
My benchwork (L girder) is mostly 2x2's(legs), 1x4's and 1x2's(to make the L and to keep the legs from moving). I get all of myself( 195lbs) on top of the girders all the time.
I still get most of those symptoms though
Laz1957,
I got a chuckle with your response. Made my day.
Woody
Avoid the dangers of the 2x4's...
...use 4x4's instead!
Rusty
When I started my last layout about nine years ago the 2x4 pine I used did not have this dangerous additive. Sometime in the last few years they have added it to all framing wood. The symptoms are: sore back, knees, and arms. Weakness getting off the floor is a sign of being over exposed to this dangerous wood. The only cure is rest and a cold one. Builders of layouts beware! Don
The most important part of the remedy therapy is the cold one...or two...or three! Matt
I agree with all of you.
My experince has been, no matter how many times I cut, it ends up too short.
Another symptom is the more use of this product, the worse the effect is on you Don. There is a remedy however. Hire someone else to do it, but that would take all the fun out of it.
Folks are still using wood??
Another way to combat this is stop and go buy a new engine. It works everytime.
Being severely carpentry challenged, I solved the benchwork problem by going with Mianne.
All kidding aside, I have to say that wood is a most versatile and relatively inexpensive construction material. I built my seasonal 3'x 12' project layout framework for under $50, and it includes 2'x 12' of overhead shelving. I rearranged the track plan yesterday.
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