Nice, James

That sounds like a great approach, James. 

What is that interesting flooring material? It looks like cushioned rubber mats and I like the speckled appearance. 

about a third of the cost?

I'm considering the Ivar system myself, but the components quickly added up to over $250, and since I have modules (think TOMA) salvaged from my last layout, I'm betting I can go to the lumber yard and construct legs, a few L-girders, and cross braces for less. 

Once I spec it out at the yard, if it's close I too will be visiting the nearest IKEA.

Interlocking Rubber Flooring

They're interlocking rubber flooring mats that we picked up from Lowe's. We were able to cover the entire basement floor plus parts of the adjoining utility room.

The speckled appearance does a great job of hiding dirt and dust, which is always present in any basement.

James

Starting Fresh

No doubt on that, Geof. I'm completely starting over with the goal to make our basement a true multi-purpose room for the entire family... that just happens to have a railroad atop. For me, the cost was considerably less than comparable products, and offered legs that were straighter and cleaner than any raw lumber save hardwood boards.

I also have to compare the time and effort it would have taken me to build shelving around three walls of our basement that matches the arrangement I have with the Ivar system.

James

I would of gone the Ivar way

I would of gone the Ivar way for my layout. But since Ikea isn't in NZ. I had to build the benchwork myself. And now Im having install shelving storage below. I can see the cost/time saving of the Ivar system. And it will make it a cleaner more polished look.

Phil

Good going James

That sounds like a plan that is solid as a rock James! I will be following your progress with great interest and I can't wait to see how your new bench work idea from Ikea looks when your done with it.

Thanks for sharing!

Tim Garland

Solid as a rock...

Rock solid bench work. You could name it Peter.    

Randy

Shall Not Prevail Against It

I was hoping someone would understand that reference.

James

IVAR system

Can The IVAR system be set up so the top shelf is flush or would you have to attach the modules to the uprights?  What is the overall height with a module on top of the shelves?

Robert

Layout Height

Depends on how you build the module. I'm planning on constructing an open grid box that uses the uprights as legs. The box itself will be flush with the top of the uprights, which are 49 inches high. Add 2 more inches for foam insulation roadbed and that gives you a rail-height of 51 inches. 

I cannot go further without giving credit to Bernie Kempinski. It was his USMRR and Port of LA blog, specifically the “ Ivar - Instant Benchwork” entry, that sold me on using Ivar cabinets for benchwork.

James

Curious...

... about this build! I can't wait to see what this looks like!

More to come

Me too, Warflight. Me too.

James

Shall Not Prevail...

I hope I may be forgiven the history nerd tangent... I've actually been to Caesarea Phllippi a few years back with my preacher father-in-law. One of the things most modern readers don't know, but would have been common knowledge in the era, is that Caesarea Philippi has a cave right at the major crossroads called "the Gate of Hades" . Travelers from all over the ancient world would bring small idols of their various gods and goddesses, and leave them in niches carved into the walls of the cave. You can still see it even today. So in order to ask the question "who do people say I am" they walked three days to see the idol collection. And conveniently, when the Gates of Hell shall not prevail, the group is literally standing on the doorstep of said gate.

*Paul Harvey voice* And now you know... The rest of the story.

Really interested to see how the benchmark turns out. The legs look functionally the same as what I built for my shelf, but with a lot higher quality of fit and finish. 

Saving Time

Being one myself, I welcome history nerd tangents.

Ultimately I chose to use the Ivar system for exactly this. They were of a higher quality and a lower price than anything I could build myself. With time, I'm sure I could construct a custom setup that fit my needs. But the goal is to get to railroading sooner than later.

James

I'm using the Ivar shelving units too

I have 12" shelves for an HO layout, and the 20" for an N Scale one.  I'm trying to figure out the best ways for a skinny layout to run steam.  Steam has the annoyance of having to turn the engines around.  I was thinking to just use two engines - one for each direction.  I built a turn table large enough for a small 4-4-0 steamer and one car.  That way, it would turn the entire train at one end.  It worked well at first, but I think over time, the bearings wore out.  I was thinking to upgrade the table bearing to a lazy susan type.  I had it stick out in the corner, since the table is 18" long.

Also, anyone try to join the 12" to 20" yet?  I'm planning on doing that with the N scale.  I'd run both over top of each other, with N at 48" and the HO at 24".  

I'm struggling with trying to get a steam engine facility in 33" of length, as I'm really trying to keep it modular so I can take it with me in my next smaller house, when we downsize.

I also like the idea of using taller Ivar (the 6' ones) that way, the trains are at 48", and I at 6' I can put small LEDs to the top shelves to light up.  Eventually, I would like to control the lights with the DCC.

IKEA Ivar