Neal, I used dimensional birch for the support brackets. The vertical pieces are 1x2 with the horizontal pieces being 1x3 or 1x4 depending on how long they need to be for proper support. They are assembled using screws and dowels as well as a really good quality carpenters glue.They are all attached to wall studs except for the ones in front of the ceiling height closet doors which are attached to the ceiling joists.
I do not trust dry wall hangars for anything that will possibly have to support the weight of an articulted steam engine or possibly some die cast hoppers, etc.
