I finished the benchwork this weekend. I chose to model after the Sievers line of benchwork to compare the time and cost. The cost came to $109.44 compared to the approximate cost of $585.80 from Sievers. This is a realized savings of $476.36 which will more than pay for the cost of the Atlas Code 55 track and turnouts which is approximately $388.85. You can visit the Benchwork page at Nickelcreek Southern Railway Co. to see the cost breakdown and all the photos. Here is a sampling photo of one of the modules:
Charles- Looks very professional. I viewed your list of materials, and costs. I see you used pine. Where I am, we get fir. I wonder what the differences really are...? You got a good price on the 1 by 4 lumber. Until recently, we did not have a competitive supplier in my area. Now we at least have a Home Depot. Which is forcing everyone else to drop prices. I won't be complaining! Boxcab E50 [ 08. June 2003, 04:54: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Nice layout you have started there. Very impressed with your cabinet quality benchwork. Also cool you even counted the screws. I like your trackplan and look forward to updates as to your layout's progress. As for the question of the type of softwood lumber used, I am not sure if it matters much whether you use pine or fir. Here where I come from spruce is the most common variety of dimensional SPF lumber. It works fine but I believe I would prefer either pine or fir. [ 08. June 2003, 21:47: Message edited by: Grantha ]
My benchwork is installed in the train room and have installed the backdrop and painted the 1/8" Masonite an initial blue base. Used Kilz Casual Color Flat Interior Acrylic Latex, Base 1, F10, Supernal Blue as the base. I'm pleased with the color, it does look better than the photo shows. Painting the clouds will be the next step.
You are doing a very nice job from the look of your photos. I can't wait to see more. Keep up the great work!
