Go to confession..

as a Catholic I can tell you going to confessional is like going to an unpaid therapist. Model Railroaders love free stuff, and Catholic priests are all pro bono.  I'm pretty sure they'd take a non-Catholic too, just for variety.  Model railroading issues would probably cause a serious debate at the rectory that night.  You have a serious issue- the scruffiness of the benchwork is gnawing at you.  Mine is very scruffy,and I'm WAY over-due for a Confession.....I've even got scraps of pallet boards as part of mine, it's extremely rough-sawn 2x2's plus others.  Fuzzy, non-square, even some multi-color/coated with who-knows-what from all over the world...you name it.  But it was free!

Seriously, that is what the scenery base and fascia (or curtains even) are for- to hide all that.  Concentrate on the RR- the track smoothness, the scenery, whatever.  Out of sight/out of mind....truely Forced Perspective!

(As much cursing as I've done here and there on my RR, I REALLY am way over-due for a Confession!!)

Unfinished (and not) Benchwork

Here ya go -

I use lots of recycled wood from old layouts.  The OSB roadbed is left over scrap from construction of our house.  All of the various shims, extra holes and so on aren't readily visible but do exist.

This is the same location now, just a bit to the left of the first photo.

This area is a combination of recycled and new materials.

Here's the same spot with much of the finish work completed.

wp8thsub..question

..really don't want to hijack the thread but how low is that lower level? Is it accessible from the upper layout or separate?  My layout is 48" high and I've always wondered about using the lower area for something.  If accessible, a helix?

"random drill holes"

that's the problem, you need more un-random drill holes, lots and lots of them to take your mind off the random one's.....dave 

Actually..

you need MORE pre-planned ones, but are off by 1/4" because you measured or marked it wrong, or changed things later.  These kind of things make you 'an experienced modeller'...not an expert, but weathered, seasoned and worthy!

Lower Level Height

The lower level is a branch that connects to the rest of the layout via a helix.  It's at a 39" height, while the upper track here is about 53".

Two Peas in a Pod

I too suffer your affliction. Even though it makes no difference whatsoever in the final product, I get satisfaction from knowing what lies beneath is just as tight and right as what's visible. It is the cross we must bear. My wife good-naturedly says I show symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I like to think of it as making sure everything is right.

Go forth and plug those holes, trim the shims, and set lumber to level and even. And when you are done, check it and recheck it again! 

Alan, It's endless...

You know the funny thing is, my brother is pretty much a master builder. He produced highly details models of buildings for the Swiss market and was self employed for a while doing this. He easily charged 250 euro for one building but you got something that was top notch in dimensions and everything you can think off. Not a single drop of paint or drag of a vile was needed to correct something.

15 yrs ago I thought, that would drive me nuts, no way i get like that.

Fast forward, I now can spent over one hrs renumbering the tiniest numbers on the front of my Bachmann 70 tonner in N scale. Not that you would ever see it but it is the thought that counts.

We KNOW it's RIGHT now and that is important, even if it is as productive as a catflap in an elephant house.

I go and lie down for a bit now

You'd cringe if you saw mine

I'm installing a brigde on my layout and when I built the benchwork and laid track, the location was not definite yet.  Now that I've decided, the benchwork is a cut up mess with scrap wood used as braces running hither and yon as well as scrap wood stacked up holding bridge piers. There are also remnants of Gorilla glue everywhere. I used to worry about stuff like that but now I just do what's necessary to get things installed. It's about to be completely covered by scenery anyway.

Michael

LKandO I wish you and your layout were next door

Every time I look  at your blog you have done such a great job. I am really looking forward to the time when you are able to run trains, and hopefully post videos. By the way I remember reading your progress on your model roster and was wondering were you ever able to acquire any H20-44s?

H20-44

Thank you very much for the compliment. Nope, still waiting for it to be offered in plastic but doubtful it will ever happen. Have been watching eBay auctions for the brass. I have a half dozen S-2's in primer and seven H16-44's to renumber, detail, and weather so that will keep me busy for a while.

Go for solid, not pretty.

The main function of the framing is to support the layout, it doesnt get extra points for pretty.

Some build benchwork like fine cabinets, some have rough lumber and both work.

I used OSB for sub roadbed, some scoff. In 9 years Ive had ZERO issues. So who is right or wrong? Doesnt matter to me, Im building it and its good enough for me.

Considering the price of materials, I do suggest pick a good design and make it right the first time.

If it wont be seen then why worry about pretty? The answer might be based on how long until its covered by scenery?

But dont "under build". Sloppy workmanship now will be a HUGE regret later. Its not required to support 500 pounds, only a few pounds at most.