I am jusy getting into model railroading. I want to start with a 4x8 layout. Now I am looking at all options. Would plywood be better to use for the layout. Also I was thinking about either 1/2" or 3/4’’ thickless, what do you think. I will be building benchwork. Also is there a book that i can buy, that will take me step by step for making the layout start to finish.
As you add wood, you add cost and weight. Also, the wood can’t be carved, unless you cut it using what we call the cookie-cutter method of sub-roadbed.
What many of us have taken to doing, if we don’t want to bother with cloth or cardboard and plaster scenery, is to layer extruded styrofoam over a thin sheet of plywood and glue it into place using acrylic latex caulking. If you desire an entirely flat layout, then a heavier 1/2" would be okay. Any more is more expensive and unnecessary in my opinion. The thinner plywood will need some joists every couple of feet or so to keep sagging under control, more of them as the plywood gets below 1/2".
The hosts of these forums, Kalmbach Publishing, Inc., offer several useful books - see their shopping section. Note that if you envision a simple track plan, you may find yourself tired of it before too long. It might be a good investment to post your plan here and let some of the keen designers help you to make it more sensible and interesting. An excellent book on track planning, also available at the Publisher’s store, is the late John Armstrong’s “Track Planning for Realistic Operation.” We mostly think it is a must…at least to look through it once for some ideas and warnings not to make some key mistakes.
Good luck!
If cost is a concern, you might try your local public library to see which of the Kalmbach books (and others) they have about model railroading. I find it is a good way to preview which books I want to buy. Welcome to the forum, and good luck in your planning and building!
Chuck
Well I have started and have the track down after making the table (4x8) and spending some time to see what I wanted to do.
I would suggest the 1/4’ to 3/8" paneling. I did and dont have a problem with it. I am doing an all flat track for right now. I have one of Atlas’ books and used one of their tracks that they detailed in the book. It is pretty basic but it gives me what I wanted to start out with.
Also remember that unless you have experience there are thing you may or may not understand. I know I have asked a few questions here. The folks here will help you a lot.
And the reason I went with a flat one was that I wanted to see how things moved on track how to build it etc… I didnt want to do a monster one straight away and than realize I dont like doing it. It gives you a chance to try the various systems if you want to. DC or DCC. you can make the track DC and than easily switch over to DCC. And if your wondering than there are plenty of folks here and websites to help on that. (DC is normal trains (usually one unless you have multiple systems, while DCC is a system to run the trains (multiple ones) at the same time.) There are good and bad in both.
And welcome to the forums.
Dean