Construction information

Tom, with me it's still a Pike. You'll find lots of help here. Ask away.

Hey 40Rod.....with us OGR Forumites, it wont be long until a deluge of help a.k.a..."the cavalry will come".  For now, plan on using (just my technique suggestions) for the table top use a minimum of 5/8 plywood; 1x4 and 1x6 for legs...and perhaps screwable levelers....1x6s for what folks call "L girder" table framing. Perhaps use "Dowboard" foam board sheets atop of the plywood tabletop. Then a cork road bed. Some folks use "Homasote" in lieu of the Dowboard foam board.

   That'll use up some weekends, keeping you busy...and above all try to envision your ability to REACH across your pike to grab derailed trains....which is about 40 inches or a bit less....from one side or another..good luck!

Thank God I'm nor the only dinosaur here.   I'll ask questions as they come up.

Okay, first one.  I live amongst some of the most beautiful granite anywhere on Earth.  I's have collected a box full of some that I'd like to use in an unaccessible corner, or it will be once I get the benchwork done.  I won't have any reason to ever go behind this section.

My estimate of the weight of the rock I want to use is in the 200 pound range and it will cover about 3' x 4' and be 6' high.

1. Is this practical?  I can't imagine creating these colors and patterns with paint.

2. Assuming you don't think I'm nuts (I am, you know, but not on this issue) what would you suggest for support and securing it, preferably to a wall and on heavy benchwork.

3. What pitfalls can I expect?

That's all for now.  I think the rest will be easier, or at least lighter in weight.

Thanks.

Tom

redjimmy1955 posted:

Hey 40Rod.....with us OGR Forumites, it wont be long until a deluge of help a.k.a..."the cavalry will come".  For now, plan on using (just my technique suggestions) for the table top use a minimum of 5/8 plywood; 1x4 and 1x6 for legs...and perhaps screwable levelers....1x6s for what folks call "L girder" table framing. Perhaps use "Dowboard" foam board sheets atop of the plywood tabletop. Then a cork road bed. Some folks use "Homasote" in lieu of the Dowboard foam board.

   That'll use up some weekends, keeping you busy...and above all try to envision your ability to REACH across your pike to grab derailed trains....which is about 40 inches or a bit less....from one side or another..good luck!

Not what I would have thought of asking but certainly what I'll be needing shortly.  Thanks.

Bought my first load of lumber yesterday and have recruited a young man who does odd jobs for me to help with the construction.  This first piece is 6' x 10' and will go against an inside corner right up against the wall.  It's going to be pretty much decorative and I'll have no reason to access most of it.  The rest will be around the walls with islands and turn backs.  No pop-up access needed on this one because I can't get down to pop up any more.

Most of the thing will be 48" - 50" high to ease underneath access and to put it up closer to eye level.

I have 26' x 38' to play with and will likely die of old age before it's even part way finished, but what a fun time I'm having getting started and looking forward to seeing some of it done soon.

I'll try to get some pics posted before much longer.

Thanks again.

Tom

Well, my next advice for you is to read a bunch of other posts for learning others' trial n tribulations.  You will find sage advice on main buss wiring gauge size; branch wiring gauge size....   Before you even start actual layout construction, think of your overhead lighting....many folks dislike fluorescent...and like me we used incandescent (blubs...lol).

   Look at your actual house wiring to your layout to see if THAT is sufficient.  If you are confident those items will suffice,  then either commence framework building, or a pike design. There is a Forumite named "Ken O Scale" who may chime in to help you do a design. That said, if you post a VG sketch on the "Track Plans & Layout Design" page, the critiquing will occur. Just let us know your intentions....are you a looper...do you want industries ( my vote)  where you do switching activities such as for lumber/brewery/coal/ a Twizlers Factory?   Your call...

redjimmy1955 posted:

Well, my next advice for you is to read a bunch of other posts for learning others' trial n tribulations.  You will find sage advice on main buss wiring gauge size; branch wiring gauge size....   Before you even start actual layout construction, think of your overhead lighting....many folks dislike fluorescent...and like me we used incandescent (blubs...lol).

   Look at your actual house wiring to your layout to see if THAT is sufficient.  If you are confident those items will suffice,  then either commence framework building, or a pike design. There is a Forumite named "Ken O Scale" who may chime in to help you do a design. That said, if you post a VG sketch on the "Track Plans & Layout Design" page, the critiquing will occur. Just let us know your intentions....are you a looper...do you want industries ( my vote)  where you do switching activities such as for lumber/brewery/coal/ a Twizlers Factory?   Your call...

Looking at several industries and a couple of towns.  I have a LOT of old Plasticville stuff and am in the process (until I get some better planning done) of kit bashing some of these pieces and modifying others.

Forty Rod posted:

redjimmy1955 posted:

Well, my next advice for you is to read a bunch of other posts for learning others' trial n tribulations.  You will find sage advice on main buss wiring gauge size; branch wiring gauge size....   Before you even start actual layout construction, think of your overhead lighting....many folks dislike fluorescent...and like me we used incandescent (blubs...lol).

   Look at your actual house wiring to your layout to see if THAT is sufficient.  If you are confident those items will suffice,  then either commence framework building, or a pike design. There is a Forumite named "Ken O Scale" who may chime in to help you do a design. That said, if you post a VG sketch on the "Track Plans & Layout Design" page, the critiquing will occur. Just let us know your intentions....are you a looper...do you want industries ( my vote)  where you do switching activities such as for lumber/brewery/coal/ a Twizlers Factory?   Your call...

Looking at several industries and a couple of towns.  I have a LOT of old Plasticville stuff and am in the process (until I get some better planning done) of kit bashing some of these pieces and modifying others.

More stuff I wouldn't have though of on my own.

Thanks.

Forty Rod posted:

Thank God I'm nor the only dinosaur here.   I'll ask questions as they come up.

Okay, first one.  I live amongst some of the most beautiful granite anywhere on Earth.  I's have collected a box full of some that I'd like to use in an unaccessible corner, or it will be once I get the benchwork done.  I won't have any reason to ever go behind this section.

My estimate of the weight of the rock I want to use is in the 200 pound range and it will cover about 3' x 4' and be 6' high.

1. Is this practical?  I can't imagine creating these colors and patterns with paint.

2. Assuming you don't think I'm nuts (I am, you know, but not on this issue) what would you suggest for support and securing it, preferably to a wall and on heavy benchwork.

3. What pitfalls can I expect?

That's all for now.  I think the rest will be easier, or at least lighter in weight.

Thanks.

Tom

 

 

Hey Tom.  I am building my bench work with 2x4 lumber(it's cheaper than 1x lumber) covered with 5/8 inch plywood and I crawl on top of it with no problems.  I weigh 220 pounds.   I do not know if 1x lumber will support your granite.  I suppose if you install the girders about 12 inches on center it may work.  I would use a few 2x4 legs on this area of your layout just as a precaution.   

I remember reading in Lynn Westcott's book that a properly constructed L-girder table could support over 1000 lbs. on one leg. My table doesn't even wiggle with my 220lbs. anywhere on top of it. It is all 1X lumber except for the legs, which are 2X4 only because I didn't have to buy them.

Ok thanks John.  Now we know it will support Tom's Granite.

And ANOTHER NAG....LOL...for lighting your plasticville building interiors, look ar the "Woodland Scenics" brand of lighting system. It might seem a tad $$, yet it is a super mini LED system that is dimmable. I think by now the LEDS come in a choice of colours. And very easy to affix inside anything! You might have to paint the interiors of your building  so they wont "glow" but itbsure beats using the ol' 5 watt blubs, AND string those together...good luck on the granite thing....

Lights?. Once you've run lit passenger cars at night you won't care anymore 

Tin Marx? 4" cars? 6"? Postwar plastic? 2 axle or four? etc. (Marx made a lot of stuff pre-60s)

Gathering a list of items you have may help inspire design and speed answers. From buildings to power supplies on hand. It can get frustrating always asking which, what, where, etc. when helping others.... "delay of game... three day penalty while the helper is busy with life". Marty F. used to "looze it" from asking the same questions three times daily, six days a week. Better too much info than too little

If you run Windows try the trial version of SCARM (capable,3d) and/or Anyrail softwares. Getting a head start helps you be more involved and takes some pressure off the helper.too.

200lbs ? In the corner maybe.  Climbing onto it isn't the same as staying there. That much stone could warp a length pretty fast imo. Adding extra bracing and legs there would be smart if you haven't followed a "cabinet makers design" of some kind.

 I'd have to see the stone, but faux finishes aren't real hard. Plastic wrap as a "stamp" of sorts creates random 2-3 tone mineral lines well. Buried in clear it becomes "polished stone". "As beautiful?" I've been faked by faux stone, and I've done it pro too; so....maybe   (Turning stuff into mahogany was funnest)

The end result is often partially luck. Usually, the less I really try; the better it usually looked, as nature likes to be random too.

At 1:48 scale a marble detail is hard to do, but I've seen decent.

You might also want to peek at Thor's website for Marx and toy soldiers for ideas (Thor has passed, but the site was still up last I looked. Best to not delay and miss this little jewel. His toy sites all had links to his others somewhere, so if you find one, might as well browse some there then link when you find one.

Search threads by "Electroliner" I really liked his stuff. (New home fire took it, then he passed...of a broken heart most likely )