New MoPac layout -shelf layout end to end

Colonel Jul 31, 2012

  1. Ski

    Ski TrainBoard Member

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    The real brewery in St. Louis had it's own railway, the Manufacturer's Railway...it switched the brewery and some other spots and interchanged with the TRRA. I believe Anheuser Busch/InBev is in the process of shutting it down.
     
  2. Steve S

    Steve S TrainBoard Member

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    Already done. :crying:


    Steve S
     
  3. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not much progress as I don't move into the new house until March next year however I am starting to think about benchwork.

    I like the idea of mounting a shelf type system to the wall with minimal legs so there is lots of room underneath. similar to industrial shelving with a top bracket for a valance and lower bracket for the layout. However because the benchwork is 600mm (2 feet) I'm not sure it would be strong enough.

    What are your thoughts?
     
  4. Dwyane

    Dwyane TrainBoard Member

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    my bench work is 18" and I am using 12" and 18" double slot brackets. I see no reason you can not go 24" with the long brackets.

    photo below of 12" brackets, used 18" with knee brace at balloons

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  5. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Dwayne that's exactly what I was thinking, is it solid enough if someone was to lean on the edge.
     
  6. montanan

    montanan TrainBoard Member

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    Here's what i did to mount my benchwork. It is an old cabinet makers trick I learned years ago. I used half inch rigid electrical conduit. The angle isn't too important, but I kept mine between 30 to 40 degrees. After finding the length needed, the conduit is cut about 4 inches longer, flatten the ends, and drill a couple of holes in the flattened ends. One end is screwed into the wall studs, and the other to the inside of the outside facia 1 x 4. My layout has been up for over 20 years and has not budged. I can literally crawl on top of the bench work if I want because it is so strong.

    IMAG0160_BURST002[1].jpg I usually space these out three studs apart, here, at 48 inches. It's cheap, fast and very strong. This also leave you with plenty of unobstructed storage space inder the layout. most of the layout is from 2 to 3 feet deep, but in the final part of my layout, it is about 39 inches deep. The trackwork is already in and instead of electrical switch motors, I will be using choke/throttle cables to control the turnouts. I'm getting too old to have to crawl under the layout to replace a faulty motor. Pardon the hydrocal drips on the closest support.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2013
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I need to remember this trick. If I were to ever get a certain project started, this would be a great help for strength and clearance underneath.
     
  8. Dwyane

    Dwyane TrainBoard Member

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    Lean on - Yes, Sit on - maybe.
    Research the mfg spec for loading.
    What I used is made by Rubbermaid, purchase it three years ago
     
  9. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    A friend of mine has off me a box of code 100 track, i was planning on using code 83, however because i am modelling mainline then industries, should i use the code 100 for mainline and code 83 for industries? Also are the full compliment of switches available in code 83?
     
  10. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thought I'd pose a quick note to let you know how things are progressing. The move into the new home has been delayed a few months so at this stage we will be moving in April. I have been buying locomotives and rollingstock for the layout and pretty much have a full roster.

    2 GP9's
    2 GP38-2
    1 GP15

    I have an assortment of boxcars, tank cars, grain cars so I do not need much more for the layout.

    I have been reviewing the design and am considering only building the L section up to the door, maybe using cassettes at the point and limiting the width of the shelf to 20 inches which will require some tweaks. I will sketch up the changes on an existing plan and post later
     
  11. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    After re reading Lance Mindheims book on construction and getting his comments I have decided a slight redesign of the layout. At this stage I will reduce the shelf width from 24 inches to 20 which will mean thinning out some of the track which after seeing Lance's layouts I think i have too much track in the space.

    I am also only going to build the L section and stop at the door opening and replace the rest of the layout with a cassette system. This way I can focus on building and detailing the main layout, I may extend the rest later but I may not need too.

    The other change i am considering is having the ability to model two time periods using steam switchers and 40 feet boxcars etc for the 60's and then a more modern era with my geeps and 50 foot boxcars etc.

    I have also sourced 20 inch doors from Masters so will definitely go with the shelf type construction but without a valance, I wont to keep it simple and will just install some fluorexcent lights on the ceiling.
     
  12. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is my first attempt at a design for the bench work, i have incorporated a shelf above the layout for storage which will also act as a valance with LED strip lighting underneath. I am going with doors and twin slot shelf uprights. I will have legs across the front for support tied in by another shelf under the layout. So far i have only drawn up the main wall. Let me know what you think in particular with shelf and layout heights.


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