Here are a few pics of the framework for my 2’ x 6’ layout extension.
First pic is the frame as far as the woodwork is complete.
One of three terminal strips.
This is where it will connect to the rest of the layout.
Close up of the hinges I used…1 per legs for a total of 4.
Latches I used to keep the legs in place.
Another terminal strip along with clamping blocks.
2" x 4" bar clamps from Lowes.
This area will undergo reconstruction…the track in the foreground will be ripped up and relaid for a leg of a wye that will go in the area…and a new turnout will be put in place too.
The frame is 1/2 inch Maple / Birch plywood that was ripped to 3" wide strips…for this extension I used a few pieces left over from the original layout construction a few years ago.
Got the turnout in place and reattached the feeder wires.
A tool I made a few years ago to open up rail joiners…also to make transition joiners (code 70 to code 55).
On a Micro-Engineering turnout there is a small spot to solder a feeder wire for the frog…to hard to solder to this spot so I drilled a hole at the back of the frog and soldered the feeder wire there.
I filed the rails at both ends so that a better fit will be had for the joiners.
Dennis, what material is the black sheet goods you are using on you layout? I know what the stuff undr the tracks is, it’s the other stuff tat I’m wondering about…
Yep…thats exactly what it is…although I do not recommend that you do what I did…foam on foam transfers a lot of noise…next layout I build I`ll use homasote roadbed on foam.
Looks good. I noticed the blue tape. Is that what you use to hold the track in place while the caulk is setting up? I spread a thin layer of acrylic latex caulk, then use push pins to hold the track in place. This has worked well for me.
I made an 11’ extension on my layout, using the same type of construction you used for your benchwork. Except that I had one of those pesky basement support poles in the way, so mine had angles the ends to curve around it.
This is the end of the existing part of the layout. After cutting the end piece of new section to length to match the existing section, I clamped it to the end, and drilled them to insert dowels for easier alignment should I need to remove it.
I made the legs using the “L” shaped method. I glued and screwed a short length of 2x2 into the bottom corner. I then drilled and inserted tee nuts for height adjustments. My layout is in our basement, and our basement floor has a slight slope toward the center of the room to the drain.
Final benchwork. Because, these are just holding tracks, I laid the track directly to the plywood top. You can see the support pole in this photo.
This is the end result. I added mountain scenery to blend into the end of the existing section. A sand house facility has since been added.
My previous layout was foam, with the WS roadbed on top - not very loud at all. Support was open grid. Pink foam to wood frame with Tightbond, everything else with latex caulk. First time using extruded foam and I was very happy with the results. This one has 2 layers of foam and it is a bit louder, still not annoying or anything, mostly hear wheels ssssssssing on the rails (I only use metal wheelsets). Never the rumbling chug like the remembered layouts of childhood, which were cork on plywood, with no framing - plywood from back when it was, I dunno, actually strong wood, a 4x8 sheet could be supported by 2 sawhorses and not sag. But it was noisy when trains ran.
If anyone is in the area this weekend and/or next weekend come see my layout at my open house…here is the link for the Model Railroad Open House schedule.
This is the end of the existing part of the layout. After cutting the end piece of new section to length to match the existing section, I clamped it to the end, and drilled them to insert dowels for easier alignment should I need to remove it.
I made the legs using the “L” shaped method. I glued and screwed a short length of 2x2 into the bottom corner. I then drilled and inserted tee nuts for height adjustments. My layout is in our basement, and our basement floor has a slight slope toward the center of the room to the drain.
Final benchwork. Because, these are just holding tracks, I laid the track directly to the plywood top. You can see the support pole in this photo.
This is the end result. I added mountain scenery to blend into the end of the existing section. A sand house facility has since been added.