Trains O Scale Benchwork – Part 2
Now that you have decided to build your benchwork for your trains O scale, or whatever scale you decided upon, it’s time to get cracking.
Question Time
Before you can start building you need to answer these questions:
1 – Will all areas of the platform be accessible?
If a train derailment happens in a far corner which you can’t reach, it can really be annoying.
2 – Should I create an access area?
This goes back to the previous question. If your layout is so deep that some parts of it are inaccessible (just like it was with my trains O scale design) you may want to consider an access area. This is just another name for a hole in the middle of your platform that you can fit through to make any quick fixes in those hard to reach places.
3 – How high do you want to make your platform?
Typically 3½ to 4 feet should suffice but that’s up to you. Higher tables give you a better viewing height while smaller tables are better for children and easier to work on.
4 – Do you want your train table to be modular?
If you think you might be moving shortly or if you’re thinking about eventually transporting it to a different room, then you may want to make it portable.
Start Building
The elements of your benchwork are:
• Framework – foundation which supports your subroadbed.
• Subroadbed – the tabletop or platform for your layout, typically plywood.
Your subroadbed can also be Homasote, foam insulation board or either of these in combination with plywood. I suggest using plywood for your base and adding 1″ foam insulation board on top of it. The foam will help in creating scenery features like a lake-bed and also provide channels to hide your wiring.
I can describe what you need to do next but I know you will be scratching your head at some point wondering what you are supposed to do. When I start writing about cross braces you’ll probably shut off your computer.
Based on experience I know that it’s really difficult to build something, the way it’s supposed to be built, just from text directions. For this reason I suggest you do one of two things, either buy a book on the subject with diagrams which you can look at as you are building or find some videos which are easy to follow.
There is a book on Amazon called “Basic Model Railroad Benchwork: The Complete Photo Guide”
As for videos I found this two-parter on Youtube from WGH which clearly shows you how to build very simple benchwork. It will give you the general idea even if you want a different size than the 8ft x 4ft table shown.
I do have two problems with the way the benchwork was built in the video.
1 – I don’t like using nails unless you have a nail gun, screws are a better option. Nails can split the wood and sometimes go in sideways when hammering. Pre-drill pilot holes with a bit smaller than the diameter of the screw to prevent splitting the wood.
2 – You should seal both sides of the subroadbed, if using plywood, to prevent moisture damage. Whether your layout is in the basement, garage or in your house the change in weather and humidity will affect it. The last thing you want is to have your train table start to warp.
Alternate Method
Those videos show how to build solid top benchwork, which is fine for simple layouts where the tracks and scenery are all on one level. If you want to add depth and multiple track levels you will want to consider building a “cookie-cutter” style table top.
The cookie-cutter method starts out the same way as the solid top table shown in the videos, however, do not fasten the plywood subroadbed to the framework right away. Place the plywood on the framework and draw an outline of your layout on top of it.
Indicate where you want to raise the track and use a jigsaw to cut this area of plywood. Then install risers of the height you want directly to the framework to support this cut section of your layout. A good example of this method is show below.
It requires a little more carpentry skill as well as a jigsaw but it does add another dimension to your layout. After you’ve completed your benchwork come back to Trains O Scale to learn about adding the roadbed and scenery.