After nine years of planning, my wife and I finally started on our attic N scale layout. I previous shared some layout plans, but we revised them to better fit our room. I call it a "squashed horseshoe". Started out as a normal horseshoe, but the short returns really fit the space better. Also, this is a 22 foot layout, but again it was revised to 20 feet. Basically just took two feet out of the yard. Bench work is made from 1/2" plywood. Glue and brad nails to hold that together. Top is 3/8" plywood with the best side facing down, so I have the best possible surface to attach switch machines and other under-table items. The top side will be covered with 3/4" rigid foam board. In the last picture you can see where the straight sections have a 12" x 12" block that will be cut down to make a nice transition from the return ends to the straight sections. The bench work is essentially a mirror image from the center out. Next step is to add leg pockets, legs and a fascia to cover up the screw heads and any seams. I struggled with deciding on a leveling system. In the end, I settled on 1/2" carriage bolts with blind nuts and hex nuts to lock everything in place, once leveled. I'm going to do my best to post updates and future pictures here. I also have plenty of short videos planned for my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ke4nyv
Thanks! I'm going to do my best to document the whole build! The room is roughly 22 x 18. I did a few videos early on, while we started finishing the attic into usable space:
Jason, I watched your attic build series when you ran it, and was waiting for the next phase. The pics above make it look like you did some additional finishing after the Hidden Stairs video came out.
So, it goes like this... We started on the finishing project. Then about a month later we found out about our daughter coming. So we ramped up the schedule to get it done before she arrived. Hence, I had to stop making the videos and just get to work. I have yet to do a final "Here's the completed project video.", but that's in the plans.
Hope you do not skip completely to a final video. So much you will learn and enjoy, from recording this, in the future. The footage will be a wonderful memory.
I managed to get the whole layout up on legs this weekend. I have to upload pictures and update this thread later today with them. I originally planned to hard mount 2x4 legs to the bench work to make it more rigid, but eventually went with 2x2 legs cut from 2x4's and they are held in by pockets. I ran a couple of screws from the outside through the legs, for a little more structural integrity. I'm still not happy as the whole layout "sways" just slightly after screwing the sections to each other. I think I'm going to break down and do some cross bracing between certain legs and that should keep it in one place. I'm trying to avoid too much cross bracing as I planned to have ample space under the layout for building/maintenance, as well as storage for less-used items like my Plano tackle boxes I use to store and transport my collection. More on this as I work on it.
Excellent work and video production Jason -- first rate all the way! You are a fearless carpenter with very good skills. Building a staircase isn't for the faint of heart, even in the best of conditions. My little girl learned her numbers by pressing the turnout controls on my N Scale road as I switched the yard and she enjoyed driving the little automobiles around the streets. You'll have good times and cherished memories with your girl too. Keep the posts coming. I'm really enjoying your series.
As I mentioned this morning, I had some new pictures to update the thread with. The bench work is up on it's legs. Since I don't have my foam yet to move forward and I was bored, I set up some old Kato track and ran a small grain train for the fun of it
I watched your stair build video, as well as having followed benchwork progress. I envy your woodworking skills!
Had some time last night to cut all of the 3/4 foam down to fit the bench work. Didn't take too long. I found that aligning it with the back edge and clamping it lightly in place I could crawl around and scribe the outline with a carpenter's pencil. Then just flipped it over to cut with a very sharp utility knife that uses those long break off blades. Two passes usually made it all the way through with a clean edge. I found that with the curves, taking a shallow first pass to stay on the line was crucial. The subsequent passes tended to follow that first score cut pretty well. If the blade drifted, just stop and restart back on the line. Luckily, the foam is easy to shave after and fine tune if the size was a little wide.
Hi Jason, Is the layout modeled after any specific area or time period? I see you are a fan of the N&W, with a couple of tunnels you could call the line the Pokey division? I'm looking forward to watching your layout take shape.
BoxcabE50, I believe KE4NYV said he used a utility knife with the long break off blades. I like to use a keyhole saw to cut and shape foam. It makes quick work!!! Joe
Joe- I did see that. It is yellow, so I am thinking a Stanley brand? Am not familiar with those blades. I had all kinds of tools, such as the saw you noted. But lost many in a divorce. Living in an apartment, I need to minimize any messes made...
