unfortunately I am not using AnyRail, but an old version of WinRail, which is known as RTS if restricted to Atlas track. You could easily enlarge the radii of the curves if you have a little more space available.
i prepared this plan on the basis of a layout MR published some time ago. I intended to build it in my train room, only to find out that it would not fit in due to door and windo placement and a sloping ceiling . I tried not to “stack-up” too much track.
I guess it is a workable plan for 1 or 2 operators.
As noted in the other thread, this is a copy of Jerry Boudreaux’s Red Rock Northern from MR June 2007, which has a number of flaws, both in the original and the copy. See the other thread for a link to a past discussion.
The legs of my layout are 2 X 4 cut to 45" length. Yes, it is overkill, I could probably park my car on it, but the day I went to the lumber store 2 X 4 were on sale. Price is important…
My layout is in a spare room, so my benchwork is not attached to the wall. I think if I had a basement I would not attach any thing to the walls.
2x4s are way overkill as mentioned by Fred W. Rip them to 2x2s and double your savings. 1xs and 2x2s are much easier to work with and will look so much better.
Even though you may not “really” attach the benchwork to the walls, a few strategically placed drywall screws can really help secure the layout. You don’t need to anchor as if a ledger, just every other wall stud should suffice. This will add sheer and stop a considerable amount of wrack that otherwise will require leg bracing.
Thanks for all the ideas. I have three tables assembled so far. Two 5’ x 30" and one 5’ x 24". I am using 2x4’s for the 30" and 2 x 2’s for the 24". I cut the legs to 48" and was happy with the space under the table but decided that the second level if added may be to high. I changed them to 45" but am now wondering if that was a smart thing to do. Do you think maybe I can put the pieces back on with duck tape? Will that hold up? Just kidding…
After doing some reading on the web this morning I have decided to hold off building any more tables and maybe painting the room blue and also painting the tables before they are assembled… Always something to keep me from getting my trains back to running.
I agree with everyone that I should have my layout complete before the tables are complete but I need to see what room I will have before I can put a plan together.
Might I suggest that when the “next time” rolls around, that you…
do scale drawings of your track plans.
use the drawings with some tracing paper on top, then determine where to put the girders so as to avoid interferance with any Tortoises and other under-track installations (eg: feeder wires).
remember the dimensions of the girders and the under-track installations so that you leave adequate clearance. Tortoises and some other under-track switch-machines have moving parts that need room to operate without getting hung up on something. I’d leave at least 1" clearance on all 4 sides.
This should minimise any need to relocate girders or turn-outs.
Also, keep in mind the location of any existing girders should you change/alter/tweek your plans (as we are all prone to doing) after the benchwork has been built. Moving a girder or changing a turnout’s location before putting down the deck or laying track, is far easier.
Thanks, Timothy, but I’m aware of all this. Unfortunately, I don’t live in a perfect world and find that actual track locations will vary from a scale plan.