How do you build your layouts?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

After the benchwork do you lay the track first, do some scenery, both.

I have seen many layouts in all scales and nobody seems to do it the same way. One guy even built his entire scenery before laying one inch of track. He told me he read a article done on John Allen’s layout and he did something similar. It was done this so he could build his layout the same way as the prototype.

I’m building my layout I think the same as most people, I build my track plan first along with doing some scenry. Then I may do some kits if I get tired of another project.

How about you guys, how do you go about building your layout.

Dave

2

Slowly. I have to be one of the slowest layout builders ever.

But I do a little bit of everything - I am too ADD to spend 100% of the time on benchwork until it’s all completed, then 100% on tracklaying until it’s all completed, etc. I need to mix it up. Plus I like to wire as I go so I can test newly laid trackwork for relability - if you leave such things as “ok, that section needs some help, once I am done, i will come back to it” then you will NEVER come back to it and curse every time the train derails. I usually leave scenery for last because it’s my least favorite thing - mainly because I’m not good at it. But also because once I can run trains - I run trains rather than work on the layout any further.

–Randy

3

Benchwork, then foam subroadbed and wiring buses first.

Next is track I like to get at least a continuous loop of track, complete with planned turnouts one usually sidings.

After that is structures, including roadways. Somewhere in this process I get in scenery, usually a few square feet at a time.

I am in no hurry, and it may be months, sometimes even years, between laying track and the last step, ballasting. All that time running trains allows me to constantly improve my trackwork towards a goal of derailment free operation.

4

Slow probably works best. I think Randy nailed it with doing and proving the trackwork a little at a time and make it perfect before moving on. I did some scenic stuff along the way both because i had the trackwork done in that area and because it was better to keep enthused - it is supposed to be my fun and relaxation. For sure doing all the track and proving it is better before adding layers of scenery simply because it is so much easier to fix a problem on a bare layout. My 2c. J.R.

5

This is what I do:

Benchwork, electrical, track, and switch machines first. Then run everything over and over and over and make sure everything works perfectly. Fix everything that is not perfect. Run and run and run trains. Fix everything again.

I do not add scenery until I am 100% sure all mechanical operation is perfect. Anything that is not perfect now will just become a problem later.

It has been a LONG time before I was building a big layout, so I will probably do this in sections on my next layout.

Bottom line… do what works for you and keeps your interest going. That is why everybody does it differently.

-Kevin

6

In my almost 70 year HO career I always built the bench work first then laid the track. Wiring came next. When everything worked perfect, no hits, no runs, no errors it was time for scenery.

I built my first HO layout when I was 14 years old, 12” around the room shelf layout. The shelf was very easy and then I laid the track, Atlas Tie Strip and iron rails and thousands of tiny spikes.

My second layout was a 4’ x 8’ close copy of John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid. Bench work then track then scenery.

I have always liked the John Allen Twice Around Concept so after the most important part of building a layout, the design, I built my final 14’ x 10’ layout in our garage. Because I needed to make use of every inch of used space my layout has storage below the my trains for tool storage. My layout is mounted on steel casters and is movable.

That was 32 years ago and I’m still working on the scenery.

I made a list of must haves before I started on the design and followed it through construction. I stress that layout design is very important, next is perfect track!!!

Mel

My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

Bakersfield, California

I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

7

For me, this was the most important. This is my first layout.

I could not wait to plug it in and see a train move. I got a loop laid down, wired, and then ran the train.

Everything else gets finished as I get to it. I can’t imagine waiting to finish a bunch of stuff before I get to see a train run.

8

First the bench work with 1X4’s for the sides and risers, two 2X4’s in an L shape for legs (Yes I overbuild my layouts). put in the bus wiring since its easiest to do it with lots of open space. Put on the sub roadbed then work road bed. Lay some track and wire the section up. Run trains in both directions untill you know the track is perfect. repeat track work until complete.

9

For me, the most critical element is the trackwork. It has to be supported properly, it has to flow, it has to ‘work’, and it must be smooth and reliable.

So, first things first as I do them:

a. Carefully specked framing and bracing, including joists if risers are going to be used;

b. Tracks have to follow sensible and manageable roadbed, so I build that next. I take pains to make abutted elements of roadbed planar where they meet, no changes in grade. They only abut atop a riser. Risers can be raised or lowered to help with that grade problem;

c. Tracks placed, and in some places, if just for relief from hours of other types of work, I’ll also ballast;

d. Run a bus and feeders;

e. Start running trains, as many as possible, both directions, to find out problem areas;

f. Complete the scenery; and

g; Build the yard.

I have found it helpful to have both a scale drawing and a posted reminder sheet of important steps, even sequences, not to be forgotten, or when to do them. For example, the backdrop. It should almost always get done prior to scenicking, and for some layouts, before the benchwork is constructed. Another example, tunnel liners. Construct them before you find yourself scrunched up under the benchwork, reaching up through roadbed and risers…and wires…and trying to affix a blind/liner that keeps the tunnel dark.

10

I built my benchwork first. Then laid roadbed and track. Then wiring.

I had some buildings, so I set them out, plus shoe boxes, etc for industries.

Then I had friends over to operate, weekly for several weeks.

These sessions helped discover problems in track work and wiring. And where another siding would be useful. Then I did things to make it look better.

Mine was intended as a few person operations lay out, so I felt I needed these sessions to find the problems.

11

Hi DAVID FORTNEY

Well when I did build my layout I did not have a lot of space so the first thing was sort of plan the layout starting with the question could a viable layout be built in a 4’6" square space.

At the time that was all the space I had to build a layout and I had been without a layout long enough that it was needed if for nothing else my sanity.

I built the bench work first then when that had been made and the top painted at that small size it was allways going to be a table top railroad.

The cork was laid before painting after that track and wiring play time err I mean testing [:D]

Then scenery was done any scenic wiring requirements where done as the layout progressed house lighting etc.

This said once track was down and I was happy it worked the way I wanted it to the order things got done became a little vague as I did what I felt like at the time.

Still not finished yet [:D] and some parts now need refreshing and others still need to be completed.

regards John

12

Obviously, the benchwork must be the first to build. Second is track, followed by the installation of switch motors and wiring. The next step is running trains over every inch of the layout, employing every single engine and piece of rolling stock. Once trains run flawlessly on the layout, work on the scenery and detailing can start. I usually have a sectional approach to scenery, thus being able to show “completed” sections.

13

Fist is the planning, I use old sectional track for this along with real turnouts or paper copies. Once I am happy with that I build 1x4 framing and put it on legs that are l shaped made out of a split 1x4. Next I level the whole thing and then top it with foam and relevel. Next comes laying out the track again and add any foam inclines needed. next cork then track, testing as I go for anything needed. Next is basic foam scenery like hills. Next I add in all the power (testing before was done with clips and power). Plaster cloth is next and zip texturing, then the final layers of scenery and finally ballast.

14

First, I think I have Randy beat as the slowest layout builder. Mine final layout is not complete and going into my 3rd year, that is why it’s a hobby I guess. After my bench work was complete, I started laying roadbed, track, inclines and risers. I painted all my track as I moved along and put feeder wires in about every 4-6 feet. I done some plaster cloth stuff and painted some. I just do a little here and there, whatever I am in the mood to do. I am also a victim of that old Rowan and Martin Laugh In tv show back in the 60’s when they had skit called the “Flying Fickle Finger of Fate”, it seems when new MR buildings come out from Summit, Walthers or others I tend to change my mind to make one of those new buildings fit somewhere on my layout. I told myself don’t change my plans and I do and did. I recently added a passenger station that was not planned. Oh well, it’s what a hobby is all about.

15

Nice try, might get you close to a podium finish. I’ve been in this house for 6 1/2 years, just got the basement finished up at the end of February this year, and since then have managed about 30 linear feet worth of vertical supports, 32 feet of backdrop (unpainted and unfinished still)(it’s a double deck, hence more backdrop than rest of railroad), and the support area for one small corner. I cut out 2 pieces of subroadbed for the lower level but it hasn’t been attached yet.

My previous layout - it took me 5+ years to get it where it was when I took it down to move, around the walls of a spare bedroom. Track was all down and the pink foam painted a basic brown, but I had no built the penninsula for the cement plant, nor the track for that. About 30 feet of track had the rail painted, and maybe 20 feet of that was ballasted. No other scenery. In over 5 years.

–Randy

16

You guys need to move down here if you want to see slow layout builders.

I am not in the running for the title, I build like an obsessed madman.

I have only seen one or two people down here finish a layout, even a small one. Most of the hobbiests down here are retirees that moved to Florida to finish their lives. These guys are in their 70s or 80s, you would think they would be in a hurry.

Nope. Slow as can be.

I guess it really more about the journey than the destination.

It is a hobby. You should never feel rushed.

-Kevin

17

I’ve been in this house 35 years. No layout yet. Everytime I get the space one of the kids move back in. I’ve been kicked out of the so called spare room 4 times.

My layout consists of modules that are in storage right now. They used to live either in the shed or the covered rear of the truck when I was doing shows.

My modules were done like this.

1 planning. 2 build base section. 3 track. 4 testing with jumpers. 5 wiring. 6 scenery and buildings. 7 ballast and paint rails and ties.

When I finally get the rooms back my modular railroad will live again and be larger.

Pete

18

Scenery is fun. I like it b/c it requires quite a lot of creativity. It also is quite relaxing. This includes ballasting! Anyone need a volunteer? None of the scenery matters if your layout doesn’t run properly or sit on sturdy and functional benchwork.

To really answer your question, consider a cake (yes, I’m hungry!). Scenery is really the icing. It rests on a well-prepared and tasty product. The cake rests on something and that’s your benchwork. No part “takes the cake” (pun intended). Everything must work together. That involves a lot of time, money, etc.

19

“every single engine and piece of rolling stock”

That is very important!

I finished my track work running my favorite locomotives and all went well. It was several years later before I ran or attempted to run a Proto E-8 only to find a problem on a 26” radius into my yard. Every Proto six axle diesel derailed coming out of the curve. All the rest of my locomotives worked fine.

It turned out to be a fault of the design engineer, me. I did the one no no that no one should ever do, a turnout at a grade transition. I wish I had checked every locomotive during construction like Ulrich said in his post. I was able to fix (reengineer) the problem by moving the turnout and reducing the curve to 24” radius. It would have been a lot easier during construction than after my scenery was in.

It was a surprise to me that all my biggie articulateds worked flawlessly as did my six axle Athearns but none of my Protos.

Mel

My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

Bakersfield, California

I’m beginning to realize that aging is

20

I would be similar to what Randy described in his post - particularly the slow part. We moved into this house 14 years ago today, and I have shelving (‘benchwork’ along the walls) almost all in place, one of two reverse loop “blobs” in place, and maybe a touch more than 1/2 of the track in place…with only about 1/4 or less scenicked.

One difference with most folks is, since I use Kato Unitrack, I like to test the layout out for a few months (or longer) before deciding it’s permanent and adding scenery. I use flat-top construction and Woodland Scenic risers, so it’s easy to change things if I decide I want to try something else. Often, an idea won’t hit me until I see everything in place. “Oh wait, if that building were on the other side of the tracks, it would work better.”