I am new to this hobby and need some help with the above subject. I plan on using 1X4 for the baseboard and cross member for the framework. What thickness of plywood should I use for the base to place the corkboard and track on? I plan on using PECO Code 80 rail flex track, switches and crossings over the entire layout.
Thank in advance.
Well, you could use 1/4" and up. Depends how heavy duty you want it. Are you going to crawl all over it? Go thick. Is there going to be large unsupported spans of the ply?? Go thick. Is the bench going to be a shallow shelf along the wall? You could use thin here. Look at you scenery plans… Will you have a lot of mountains built of sculptamold?? This can get heavy. Styrofoam is lighter to build scenery with.
I built my bench with 1x3’s, and 3/8" ply. Then I have 2" pink styrofoam on top of that. I can crawl and stand and probably even jump on my bench. Of course the downfall of the foam is that it dents pretty easy. But Then I could just walk over it to unflatten the landscape. lol There are a lot of old threads about this subject. Check out the search tool at the right side of page and you’ll find a wealth of info. Good Luck
Welcome to model railroading and the forums.
First, I might suggest buying or borrowing a book on benchwork. 1x4 is certainly strong enough to support most types of layouts. There is open grid benchwork, where strips of plywood or 1x? can be laid for the track bed to be put on. If you are looking for a solid table 3/8 or 1/2 in plywood will work, just make sure your cross members are spaced properly. Some folks use a light frame under 2" pink/blue foam (extruded insulation foam board). It is strong enough to support a layout as long as you don’t stand on it. It also has the advantage of being easily carved for below track level scenery.
I would also suggest reading some books on different types of scenery as some types do better with different bases.
Good luck,