In the final stages of planning my new layout and have a simple question which I hope you can answer for me.
I am attracted to the idea of mounting the benchwork directly to the walls as it will give me more storage space under the layout.
That brings me to my question: which option will give me the most storage space; legs or brace ? The Kalmbach publication “Basic Model Railroad Benchwork” suggests both options.
On the basis that each open-grid rectangle “box” will be screw mounted directly to the wall studs, I’m thinking that a 2 x 2 leg on the room side of the layout at each joint between frames should be sufficient to give stability and strength. That way I get optimal storage as the brace idea looks like it takes storage space away.
I would be very appreciative of your thoughts and comments
I agree that a single leg at the mutual corner of each pair of modules (which is what your construction seems to be) will be sufficient. In addition to being easier to deal with as under-layout storage space, they will also allow easy leveling if you discover that your floor isn’t as level as you might wish. Just install a large lag bolt (or some fancier leveling system) on the bottom of each leg.
My own wall-hung L-girder benchwork is supported by a track-and-bracket system, so I have neither legs nor diagonal braces. In addition, the same system supports storage shelves, both above and below the benchwork.
I did a combination of legs as well as wall mounting with bracing from the wall (an angled brace spaced at 24" intervals) … all from the Kalamback book. I did use 3/8 plywood to strengthen the brace joints and I have not had a problem. I will post pictures tomorrow if I can!
My layout is built on 2’ wide boxes and I put them on brackets made of 1X4 with 1X2 diagonal braces. The uprights are screwed into every other wall stud with two 3" screws. The brackets are glued and screwed together. The layout just sits on the brackets. It doesn’t move so I see no need to attach it to the brackets. Here’s a picture of the brackets with my 4 year old granddaughter helping me paint them.
I would go with the brace to the wall instead of legs for several reasons. It is easier to work under the layout with out the legs in the way. The layout will actually be sturdier - if you use the legs, if you bump you’re head when coming up from working under the layout, you’ll be likely to knock over your trains(ask me how I know). If you have carpet and you mount the rear of the layout to the wall and mount the front on legs, as the legs settle into the carpet, they will need to be adjusted to keep the layout level. If you use the area under the layout for storage it’s hard to store anything longer than the distance between the legs.
I had a small test section of benchwork setup mounted to the wall on the back and with legs on the front to see how I would like it and decided to go with wood brackets mounted to the wall similar to Bob’s. Mine are made with 1x2’s, 1x3’s and 2x2’s and look like this:
As you can probably tell, I am using hollow core doors on some of the layout, but the brackets should support any kind of benchwork. The lower horizontal piece is to support the staging yard below the main layout and is not needed for the main layout. On this bracket, the upper horizontal piece is cut short for clearance because the tracks coming from staging start climbing about 2 feet before this bracket, but on the other ones it is the full 32 inches. The shorter bracket here is not a problem because it is at the end of the door. I actually plan on replacing the top piece with better quality wood (like that used on the lower horizontal piece) but the design of the bracket will be the same. You can probably tell from the photo that the poor quality wood I used has already cupped some. The pillow case hanging from the bottom is just me testing out the location of the layout skirt.
I used legs for the original portion of my layout, and brackets for the new section. I added utility shelving under the layout for storage. It was easier to place the shelving under the bracket sections, then under the legged sections.
I would be careful mounting a railroad to a wall. If you are absolutely, postively sure you won’t ever move go ahead but it won’t be an asset to the next buyer of your house and might be a serious detriment costing you $ (especially in this market).
Drywall costs $7 a sheet, so it’s no big deal to strip and rewall a room. Usually though, a one gallon bucket of spackle and a fresh coat of paint does the trick to bring the room back up to spec. And whatever you do, remove the layout BEFORE you put your house on the market; otherwise, the “thing in the spare room” WILL be a problem for prospective buyers.
First my layout was free standing, walk around the outside.
Then I decided to go around the room and mounted it to the walls with Lag screws.
Now, I am redoing my layout once again, this time, it is completely modular, on legs at 49" high with all my tools and equipment located safely under the layout. The legs are not in the way as I work around the situation when I need something free standing.
My new layout will now be fully portable and reusable, I am really tired of tearing it down and trying to salvage the lumber, wire, track, etc each time when I decide I need to change something.
Layout is looking good, even though you did use a lot of foam instead of a little thicker plywood! [8D] I really did not like the white shelf brackets AT ALL until I saw the shot where you painted them blue and they simply disappeared.
I wasn’t 100% sure that I’d like the surface-mounted brackets either (instead of hiding them behind the backdrop) but once painted, they did disappear into the walls. They stand out a LOT more in the photos than they do in real life!
This method isn’t for everyone, and I’ll be playing around wih burying them on my new layout. But since the lower level will be mostly urban, I’ll be able to hide the brackets inside of buildings or behind trees, so I may not have to bother with all of the work and time required to cut & hang a backdrop on them.
Wall mounted benchwork without legs or minimal legs is not only probable, it is possible.
I have an around the walls benchwork supported by wall brackets and stanchions. The stanchions are attached to the wall about every 32" with 2 each of 3 1/2" screws put thought thet sheetrock and into the wall studs. Each bracket is rated to hold up to 250 lbs. + and with the west and south walls of the benchwork up for a year + and counting now I have not had any problems with them or any of the other newer construction sections.
Here are a few early images showing the benchwork and stanchions and construction progress:
For more details check out my construction web page, I have links to MR resources that put me on track to going with the around the walls bracket system: Construction
Looks like wall mounting is the go. Particularly like the article that Ryan refers to in MR by Lionel Strang. That method looks very neat and tidy.
I’m wondering, if I go the route of Lionel how far apart should those brackets be ? Should a bracket be mounted on each wall stud ?? My layout will be 24" wide modules around the wall.
