Officially my official layout thread, authentically official

iis612

Member
I think I would brace all of the legs before starting on the top. You don't need long braces tying all of the legs to each other, just some short 1 foot long 1 x2 lumber tying the legs to the frame for triangulation would serve the purpose of strengthening the benchwork tremendously.

Thanks Russ. Shortly after posting that update that very thought occured to me. It would not make sense to do it any other way, especially in my quest to keep construction costs as low as possible.
 

iis612

Member
Just a quick update...
Not much in the way of work has been done in the last little bit. I have not had the time. Because I am not using foam for the sub-roadbed I am going to have to plan where I want the water features to be so I can alter whatever frame work needs to be altered, not to mention what will need to be done to the ply top.
I guess that will shoot my idea of winging the trackage in the foot. If I have to plan for water features, I need at least a rough idea of how the tracks will cross the rivers and streams.
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
I just noticed that you mentioned 2x4 & 4x4 lumber in a previous post. You can save some money by using nothing bigger than 1x2, 1x3, & 1x4 lumber. There really is no place I can think of that would require anything bigger. You could use 2x2 for legs, but 1x2 legs are fine if braced properly.
 

iis612

Member
I was going to build the entire thing with 2x2 and 1x2, but I have some lumber at home that I need to use, thus keeping overall costs down. Also, the 1x2 that my local Home Depot offers is terrible stuff at a great price. Appearance grade 1x2x8 at $.98. I could not find one suitable. I do have some 1x6x8 that I am ripping down into 1x2 for bracing. I could rip down the 2x4, but I am lazy.
 

iis612

Member
The winds of change, they blow again...

In the late 40's C&O took over Pere Marquette. When they did they filed to abandon some trackage. Since Michigan was booming at that time, the State of MI decided they would like a railroad. They thought they could increase the state coffers by starting a railroad that could interchange with C&O, GTW, NYC, and B&O to send the states primary exports to more corners of the continent faster, thus the Mid-Michigan Ry was born...
They took over the abandoned trackage and began to aquire a physical plant, and forced their way into several industries. I am going to show what that would look like.
 

logicman

Greybeard
It's good to see what a trained person can do with a ramset -
so why no pix of the beer cans?:mrgreen:

I notice that you posted this notice:
thus the Mid-Michigan Ry was born...
They took over the abandoned trackage and began to aquire a physical plant, and forced their way into several industries. I am going to show what that would look like.

I noticed this notice in your "Officially my official layout thread, authentically official" thread, but just to clarify - are you giving official notice of the notice - or, should we all take no notice of this notice until further notice?:twisted:

Great going so far, and thanks for sharing.:thumb:
:wave:
 

iis612

Member
I noticed this notice in your "Officially my official layout thread, authentically official" thread, but just to clarify - are you giving official notice of the notice - or, should we all take no notice of this notice until further notice?:twisted:

Great going so far, and thanks for sharing.:thumb:
:wave:

I would say that it is a combination of both. I am giving official notice of the notice that no one should notice until further notice
 

logicman

Greybeard
I would say that it is a combination of both. I am giving official notice of the notice that no one should notice until further notice
sign1sign1sign1sign1sign1

ROFLMAO + speechless

:wave:
 
L

lester perry

The pic you started with looks great. A large area to work with. I assume you have a plan. I have one suggestion.
1 Make your turns as large as possible.
ok 2 suggestions, if you havent already made a comitment on control go with DCC from the start. easier wireing, less wiring and if you figure cost of switches, wire and time . DCC is not that expensive.
Les
 

iis612

Member
An update...

Work has just About ground to a halt...
Both of wrists are in need of surgery, but the doc does not know what to fix on the left side. I have to lower my entire layout, or my kids (the real readon I got back into MRR in the first place) would not be able to enjoy it.
I am just taking time to heal and read up on a few things, like DCC and scenery. I have been working on a formal track plan, but it is slow going. Look for it in the near future on the track planning board.

Matt
 

logicman

Greybeard
Work has just About ground to a halt...
Both of wrists are in need of surgery, but the doc does not know what to fix on the left side. I have to lower my entire layout, or my kids (the real readon I got back into MRR in the first place) would not be able to enjoy it.
I am just taking time to heal and read up on a few things, like DCC and scenery. I have been working on a formal track plan, but it is slow going. Look for it in the near future on the track planning board.

Matt

I'm really sorry to hear of your problems, friend.

Save those hands! Don't go lowering the layout, that's too much work.
Try putting duck-boards down - you can lose them when the kids grow taller.
Better yet - get a friend to put duck-boards down for you.

Take it easy, now.

:wave:
 

steamhead

Active Member
This thread is a riot..!!! That's not officially official, BTW....
Seriously, though, take it easy on those hands...You'll really need them for this project-and there's no rush either...This is a lifetime hobby...!!
Good luck..!!
 
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