Well after 7 years of doing research , building a budget, and just trying to figure out what I really wanted, The first layout is under way!! I'd like to thank everyone on Trainboard for the inspiration! I'd also like to thank Spookshow because I was following his site long before I knew of Trainboard. I'm doing a 4x8 layout in the basement. Controlled by 2 MRC Controlmaster 20 power supplies, overkill yes but the small corded controller sold me! All track is Atlas code 80 including the remote switches{turnouts}, I know they are ugly and loud but they remind me of layouts I'd see when I was a kid, so I like em! I really wanted to use Micro Engineering track and Peco switches, but when the budget allowed for track it was impossible to find in stock or in enough quantity, so the tried and true, and available everywhere Atlas track was the clear choice. More to come shortly
Benchwork Ok on to the benchwork! I put casters on the bottom so I can roll it around to work on it from all sides! Added lots of outlets for power wired to a circular saw replacement cord and a switch to turn it all off at once! Also added a shelf to hold power supplies and anything else! More to come
An empty canvas! Here the 2" blue foam and the top of the control panel are in place! The track plan! The terrain will be just like Scenic Ridge with a train on the ridge wired with an automatic reverse with time delay circuit! Well that's all I have ready to upload at the moment. More to come!
OK Mr. Shark, Why is your wood work so much better than I can do? That's amazing looking cabinetry. I'm jealous. Seriously, it looks great and it looks like you have a doable plan. The castors are a nice idea; you can pull it into the middle of the room to run, then roll it into the corner to save some space when you are done for the day. Terry
Looking Good! You’re off to a great start with such a fine table. :thumbs_up: I wish that I would have stayed with Code 80 because the switch machines for C55 have been a huge pain for me and the cost of it still has me floored. I would have been done already if I had stayed with my original plan to use the Atlas remote switches.
Okay, looks like you are a cabinet maker by trade. That's one of the nicest pieces of benchwork I've seen. Looks like a nice layout you are going to have there. I had planned a similar layout, but decided to make a second level of my O gauge layout for N scale to not occupy anymore space than I had already taken up with the O layout.
Hey, Everybody thanks for the kind words! No I'm not a cabinet maker, just a guy that likes to doodle,design,build,adjust,refine,and enjoy!
Definitely proves you did some serious planning. Looks more like woodwork of a really nice dining table! Boxcab E50
My First N Scale Models! These are my first try at modeling and weathering. I took these pictures outside for the lighting but they look so much better in the lighting I actually painted them in! I used acrylics and washes made with acrylic and water or denatured alcohol. Got any tips? This is the first model, Model Power Hotel kit. This is the second model I did, Atlas Signal Signal Tower kit. And a scratch built flat car on a piece of track for testing colors for rails and ties. I still have the details for these buildings, I'll put them on when they go on the layout! Well that's all for now.
Looks fantastic. If I may make one suggestion, perhaps leave a path for expansion for if you ever want to extend your creativity, you will have the direction to do it. fatalxsunrider43
Well, simple question... : it's an "N scale benchwork" ? Seriously... keep post pictures : your start was great! cheers
Benchwork looks great. You can come by and construct a dining room set at my home any time you wish. I would give serious consideration to NOT using casters, if at all possible. The room appears to be carpeted and in a patterned carpet with ridges. If your wiring and trackwork is as solid as your benchwork, no problem, but if not, be aware that the more you move a layout the greater the chance for electrical and track problems later.
:tb-biggrin: WOW ... your benchwork rocks ... will be watching progress ... appreciate opportunity to learn!
Outstanding! Holy Toledo, that's some might fine benchwork you have there! If the finished layout is even only half as nice, you're sure to have one heck of great time running it. :thumbs_up:
WOW that's some great bench work. I have to admit when I started my layout I had something close to what you built in mind but I had to settle for a simpler and lighter layout since our present home is not our last house we purchase and it has to be mobile and easy to move since my wife if looking for a house while I go back to school to get a higher degree so we can afford a bigger home.
Awesome benchwork quality Mark, I think your idea of putting the whole thing on casters is a great idea! As mentioned by others, make sure it's plenty rigid so you don't have flexing of the track leading to intermittent electrical connections, which can be almost impossible to find later. The cabinetwork is fantastic, and I like the idea of the multiple outlets hidden under the table, with only a pilot light and master on-off switch visible on the outside. Be careful that your main power cord is large enough to power whatever you plan to connect to the outlets. I would consider changing the circular saw cord for a more robust one, 12 AWG. 12 AWG pigtails and short cords can usually be found at the larger home-improvement or farm-and-fleet stores. Or, if you are comfortable doing it, you can buy a length of 12 AWG type SO flexible power cord and put the plug on yourself. Having an adequate power source, not only for the power supplies but also for built-in lighting and other auxiliaries connected to the layout is very important, and now is the time to do it. Keep up the great work, please post more pictures as work progresses, and thanks for sharing with us. Best regards, Don :tb-biggrin:
Your electrical is the only troubling thing I see. There seems to be an awful lot of outlets off one line. I'd strongly suggest that you have an electrician look it over. I can't see the wiring gauges, circuit load, etc. to be able to tell if you're possibly running into trouble. Otherwise you're off to a great start! Very nice work.:thumbs_up:
