Reply to "UPDATE: WE ARE LIVE !!! - Office Lobby Shelf Layout"

Neal:  That should work well.  I love shelf layouts.  Here are some additional ideas to consider....

These are 6 X 6 brackets from Lowes.  VERY heavy duty.  You can see the small brackets that add additional support.  On each 10 x 8 board, I used two large brackets and one or two smaller brackets.  Use as few screws as you can.  I only put two apiece in each bracket.  It's been up there four years and not a budge.  Also, If you can dowel them into each other, that makes the whole shelf a LOT stronger.  None, of the many boards, are glued.  That also means it will be simple to take it down, if such an abhorrence should occur!!

By the way, this is a 12 X 12 board, because I wanted a long spur to go into a small yard at the back of the layout.  It's the only one of that size.  You can see the roadbed that cuts down the noise and vibration.  Also, it sounds really cool hearing those trains just rolling along over those tracks, roadbed, and boards.

Think about backdrops.  Also, lighting.  These rope lights can't be seen from below, give a pleasing striated effect on the backdrops, and are simply plugged into a regular 110V outlet.

I see you are laying your track on the shelves before you put them up.  IMO, that's the way to go.  All spurs, and yards should be pre-wired and tested, especially any switches and controllers.  Saves you a lot of grief.

I hung the doweled boards from above.   Each board was stained, sealed, and sanded multiple times.  Regardless of color or arrangement, it should look like part of the wall or furniture, from below.  There are no brackets, wires, or accessories, visible from below.  The height of your shelves will hide all your wiring, lighting, and other things you add.

It looks like you will have space, in the corners, to add some structures.

I consider this borrowed tool, essential to the overall strength of my shelf layout.  I used 1/4 inch dowels, with 3/4 inch pine shelves.

Here is one example of the overall effect of all that work...

I hope some of these pics will give you some ideas that will help you complete your project.  Feel free to comment or ask questions.  Don't forget to take lots of pics, and keep us posted on the forum.

Jerry