Great video Ron. Anyone looking to jump into the hobby can’t be intimidated by how simple and inexpensive the benchwork you showed was to create. They could be up and running in no time. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. This looks like an easy way to do bench work. I’m getting ready to put in benchwork for an 18” deep layout around a room in my basement. I might look into doing it this way. Two of the walls are cement, though, so I might use masonry screws to mount a 1x or 2x board to the wall and then screw the bracket to that. We’ll see. Will be easier than leveling benchwork legs on an old uneven basement floor.
Hey, Ron I just wanted to tell you how much I really enjoy your videos. I am new to your channel and I did join as well. I am getting ready to start my second layout if you can call it that. Since I haven't done anything in model railroading in over 20 years. I did keep up with reading Model Railroading, watching videos, and visiting Model Railroading Museums and sites when we travel. The reason I have put off model railroading was because of the usual stuff that gets in the way of marriage children going back to school and just plain old life! Thanks again for the great videos, the inspiration you give us all when we tune into your show.
Really good tutorial and explanation on the current expansion. Looks great! As a good rule of thumb for newer modelers, Your layout will only be as good as the benchwork.
Ron, great video! I came up with a similar design for my layout a few years back for my entire layout (ie around the walls all on shelving brackets except for two islands). I never planned on climbing up on the layout so thought 'traditional' benchwork was overkill. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Ron, I was wondering if you model your own crossings and if you do I would be interested in seeing them, and how you go about doing so? Thank you Sincerely Jeff
Looking good, Ron. I like the idea of using a small piece of wood next to the shelving brackets for the backdrop---one of the many things I am figuring out for my future railroad. Maybe one day some of us from KCAMANS will be able to see your layout in person and have an op session. Hope all is well with you and your family. Merry Christmas! Nathan C. in KC
You may have mentioned it already but how high did you measure the top of the bench work to be? Both for the upper deck and lower deck. Love your vids! About to begin my layout and trying to not feel too intimidated and just go for it
Looking good. Ever consider using 1/4" or 1/2" foam for spline roadbed? I use 2" thick foam for cities, 2" deep spline in between. That gives me plenty vertical for rolling hills.
Ron, might have wanted to mention that 1 screw on bracket needs to go in at an angle to pick up the stud. You might have mentioned that point and I missed it. Good video.
Great video. Thanks Ron. Bench work is my least favorite part of model railroading. I really like your “cleat system “. I should not have ditched wood shop class in school so much 🤔. Looking forward to seeing your helix go up. Cheers 🍻
Ron, I'm looking to build an upper deck that's 3' wide. Do u think those brackets would hold a deck that wide or would you recommend a different method?
Ron, hopefully this video isn't too old for you to miss this reply/question. After a lot of layout tweaking/cleaning up area to start the hard work (cutting ply/foam etc already measured out) it occurred to me that doing the benchwork as you have shown is just what I wanted with one exception. After watching this video multiple times it finally occured to me that the cleat on top of top of the bracket to outer edge of bench where you attach the longer 1x3s to attach fasicia etc doesn't have/allow for a 'gap' to run busses etc around upper edge of underside of layout, have to go under that cleat/mount via a different method etc. Does it make sense to put the ply on two smaller cleats attached to the large one coming from wall to give a 'gap' to run wires through or would you recommend another technique, thanks!
Hi Ron, Enjoy watching your videos. I have a major dilemma. I have an Ho scale life like train set that I am wanting to use to build my layout. It will be a rural style layout, with several farms and a very small town. Years ago when I was younger, for Christmas I got several ERTL Farm County sets, that came with buildings and figures. The buildings are too big so I will not use them. The people and animals are S Scale (1/64th scale). I can't decide if to use the people with my Layout or not. I actually have a couple of Ho Scale buildings and the doors actually match up really well to the figures. Do you have any recommendations as to what I should do? I really don't want to buy an S scale train set and I really don't want to get rid of my figures. Thank you for any help you can give me. I would greatly appreciate it.
Does not matter in most cases, it is done that way for max load. With it flipped, it has the leverage of a smaller bracket but for lighter stuff and shelfing that you not putting engine blocks on, should not matter.
Eric is correct. If you were storing hundreds of pounds on them that would be preferable, but using brackets every 16" and only a few pounds per bracket it doesn't matter.
Why do modelers not use a switch back system or a spiral to go up levels... it doesn't have to be all 2ft in one go but there can be several climbing features in 12ft
I hear ya. I'm doing a switching layout for that reason, but more space would allow for a scenic section between the industrial switching area and the fiddleyard I plan to add at some point. And of course having enough space to run trains continuously when I feel the need would also be nice. That said, I've concluded that I really don't need a huge area for my layout. I could actually get most of what I want if the room my current layout occupies had a third wall available for expansion.
Lol, they are fine. Only the kids ever used it. 2 of them are grown and on their own. The third got his video game room moved upstairs to the living room, muchbtonhis chagrin. All alive and well though.
See how I designed the track plan for this layout expansion here: ruclips.net/video/ZF3lP9O3OEQ/видео.html
you're the man ron!
Nice job.
this inspired the construction my my layout!!!!
This works big time!
Great video Ron. Anyone looking to jump into the hobby can’t be intimidated by how simple and inexpensive the benchwork you showed was to create. They could be up and running in no time. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas Ron Trains things
Thanks Ron, your ideas are making me totally rethink my layout plans.
Thanks. This looks like an easy way to do bench work. I’m getting ready to put in benchwork for an 18” deep layout around a room in my basement. I might look into doing it this way. Two of the walls are cement, though, so I might use masonry screws to mount a 1x or 2x board to the wall and then screw the bracket to that. We’ll see. Will be easier than leveling benchwork legs on an old uneven basement floor.
I'm loving this project so far, Ron! Already looking forward to the next episode.
Hey, Ron I just wanted to tell you how much I really enjoy your videos. I am new to your channel and I did join as well. I am getting ready to start my second layout if you can call it that. Since I haven't done anything in model railroading in over 20 years. I did keep up with reading Model Railroading, watching videos, and visiting Model Railroading Museums and sites when we travel. The reason I have put off model railroading was because of the usual stuff that gets in the way of marriage children going back to school and just plain old life! Thanks again for the great videos, the inspiration you give us all when we tune into your show.
I wish I could get that much work done in 15 minutes!🤣
Looks great!👍
Another great video. Love watching these.
Looking good Ron.....thanks for sharing 👍
I think I will use that method, thanks for showing it.
Looks great Ron, Happy New Year. Keep them coming.
I love the progress Ron. You are getting there.
Mike
Thanks, Mike. I am anxious to get trains running through here again.
Really good tutorial and explanation on the current expansion. Looks great! As a good rule of thumb for newer modelers, Your layout will only be as good as the benchwork.
Ron, great video! I came up with a similar design for my layout a few years back for my entire layout (ie around the walls all on shelving brackets except for two islands). I never planned on climbing up on the layout so thought 'traditional' benchwork was overkill. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing, have learnt a lot from seeing you expand the layout. Looking forward to seeing the installation of the helix.
Looking good Ron!
Hello Ron, I was wondering if you model your own crossings and if you do I would be interested in seeing them, and how you go about doing so? Thank you Sincerely Jeff
Awesome video!!! Have a merry Christmas. One of the best social distancing hobbies if you ask me lol.
thank you for detail video
Well done Ron 🚂
Looking good, Ron. I like the idea of using a small piece of wood next to the shelving brackets for the backdrop---one of the many things I am figuring out for my future railroad.
Maybe one day some of us from KCAMANS will be able to see your layout in person and have an op session.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
Merry Christmas!
Nathan C. in KC
You may have mentioned it already but how high did you measure the top of the bench work to be? Both for the upper deck and lower deck. Love your vids! About to begin my layout and trying to not feel too intimidated and just go for it
My lower deck is 36" and the upper deck is 60".
@@RonsTrainsNThings Thanks so much!
Looking good. Ever consider using 1/4" or 1/2" foam for spline roadbed? I use 2" thick foam for cities, 2" deep spline in between. That gives me plenty vertical for rolling hills.
Looking good!!!!!
Ron, might have wanted to mention that 1 screw on bracket needs to go in at an angle to pick up the stud. You might have mentioned that point and I missed it. Good video.
Thats a nice, and easy way of doing bench work! Im amusing you could do the same thing for the first level too?
You could, but people have a tendency to lean on the lower deck so I prefer something more substantial.
nice video again
Great video. Thanks Ron. Bench work is my least favorite part of model railroading. I really like your “cleat system “. I should not have ditched wood shop class in school so much 🤔. Looking forward to seeing your helix go up. Cheers 🍻
Great video. What is the separation distance between your two decks? What do you consider that the minimum separation should be?
Minimum distance is a matter of preference. Mine is large, 24", because I have grain elevators on the lower deck.
Ron, I'm looking to build an upper deck that's 3' wide. Do u think those brackets would hold a deck that wide or would you recommend a different method?
Ron, hopefully this video isn't too old for you to miss this reply/question. After a lot of layout tweaking/cleaning up area to start the hard work (cutting ply/foam etc already measured out) it occurred to me that doing the benchwork as you have shown is just what I wanted with one exception. After watching this video multiple times it finally occured to me that the cleat on top of top of the bracket to outer edge of bench where you attach the longer 1x3s to attach fasicia etc doesn't have/allow for a 'gap' to run busses etc around upper edge of underside of layout, have to go under that cleat/mount via a different method etc. Does it make sense to put the ply on two smaller cleats attached to the large one coming from wall to give a 'gap' to run wires through or would you recommend another technique, thanks!
You could do that. Personally, I hang my wire under the brackets and attach to the bottom of the cleats with Romex staples or mounting loops.
Hi Ron, Enjoy watching your videos. I have a major dilemma. I have an Ho scale life like train set that I am wanting to use to build my layout. It will be a rural style layout, with several farms and a very small town. Years ago when I was younger, for Christmas I got several ERTL Farm County sets, that came with buildings and figures. The buildings are too big so I will not use them. The people and animals are S Scale (1/64th scale). I can't decide if to use the people with my Layout or not. I actually have a couple of Ho Scale buildings and the doors actually match up really well to the figures. Do you have any recommendations as to what I should do? I really don't want to buy an S scale train set and I really don't want to get rid of my figures. Thank you for any help you can give me. I would greatly appreciate it.
I looked at the instructions on my brackets I have, it says the long portion of the brackets go against the wall. THOUGHTS?
Does not matter in most cases, it is done that way for max load. With it flipped, it has the leverage of a smaller bracket but for lighter stuff and shelfing that you not putting engine blocks on, should not matter.
Eric is correct. If you were storing hundreds of pounds on them that would be preferable, but using brackets every 16" and only a few pounds per bracket it doesn't matter.
Can you tell us what is the distance between the two levels?
Yes, it is 24" railhead to railhead.
Flat and desert like is no exaggeration! Scenery should be a breeze!
Why do modelers not use a switch back system or a spiral to go up levels... it doesn't have to be all 2ft in one go but there can be several climbing features in 12ft
A lot of people use a helix.
Just seems we never have enough space!
Facts, and or Time and Money
I hear ya. I'm doing a switching layout for that reason, but more space would allow for a scenic section between the industrial switching area and the fiddleyard I plan to add at some point. And of course having enough space to run trains continuously when I feel the need would also be nice.
That said, I've concluded that I really don't need a huge area for my layout. I could actually get most of what I want if the room my current layout occupies had a third wall available for expansion.
Brave man, Still working with equipment in the same work area... waiting for the 2nd incident report AMTRAK and then what????
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"...used to be my family room." *shudders* ...Um... Ron? WHAT did you do to your family? Are they OK? Please tell me they're OK.
🙃
Lol, they are fine. Only the kids ever used it. 2 of them are grown and on their own. The third got his video game room moved upstairs to the living room, muchbtonhis chagrin. All alive and well though.