James

So nice to see you rising up again.

 You get the MRH "Phoenix" award for your efforts. 

Nice!

That looks really sharp thus far.

The IKEA stuff

Leg Levelers

The metal feet are pinball machine levelers, and are not part of the Ikea shelving unit.

James

Ikea shelves

Will the new layout sit on top of those shelf units? ....DaveB

On Top

That's the plan. A simple open grid box on top that supports the layout and backdrop.

James

Looks good, but...

That looks good, but it seems like more benchwork than that layout needs.  

Randy

A Model Railroader Legend Reborn

It's great to see something coming out of the ashes!! I've been reading your articles about the layout and how-to's in MR for years now. Crying shame your layout had to come down, but glad to see a new start.

More benchwork than you need...

That may be, but it's neat, sturdy, provides lots of storage underneath and doesn't require fixing to the walls. The last point is a real plus to my mind if you ever move. No fussing around repairing walls.

A Legend In My Own Mind

Thanks Goose. But if I've gotten to where I am it's because of the help of others.

James

I'm Not Dead Yet Think you

Think you might pull through?

Can't wait!

I absolutely cant wait to watch this layout progress! Those Ikea shelves look really great! I'm going to look into them. I need an under-the-layout storage solution and this could fit the bill.

the Ikea shelves look nice,

the Ikea shelves look nice, but (I know here it comes) it seems that after painting them, assembling them, going to the store and picking them up that a lumber store would have been an easier and cheaper way to do it? 

Looking at the price of the Ikea product alone. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59016075/

At $115 for this one section you could have purchased a lot of benchwork for that. 

I will concede that you build a fantastic layout and these do look nice.

Ikea...

At Ikea on line, 2 uprights 4 shelves and a brace, is about 70 with shipping, very reasonable and painting is optional.  I will be doing this as well, I am not a carpenter and would not be able to make anything approaching this quality, let alone for the price.  I never thought about modular shelves, but thanks to you, James , I have a workable solution for my pike!!

Greater than the Sum

And if the purpose of said benchwork was just to support a model railroad, you'd be correct.

But we're designing the space to serve other purposes, as well as a model railroad. Our basement is becoming a secondary family room that happens to have a model railroad. It's not replacing our living room, but I wanted to spend the time (and money) to create a space that was inviting to the whole family, not just the guy who plays with trains.

Take that $115 and compare it to warp and knot free hardwoods. The Ikea Ivar system gave me a structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing base that will outlast this layout, and others.

If we considered benchwork as furniture for our layouts, we'd have better layouts.

James

Nice to see you making progress

Hi James, It is nice to see you making progress on your new layout, no matter how slow. The Ikea shelves look great. I agree with you a comfortable layout room makes working on the layout much more enjoyable. I got my layout room completely finished including painting, carpeting and lighting before I began the first piece of bench work. I look forward to following your progress, I am sure it will be a top notch layout. 

Tom Klimoski

Modeling the Georgia Northeastern Railroad

" I wanted to spend the time

That don't sound like it will lead to a happy train room :> )  See the thread about clutter and getting things done...DaveB

IKEA Shelving

Using the experience of scarpia (Thomas Garbelotti) as described in his two articles in 2010:

Modeling 22 floors up MRH mag September/October 2010 and

Benchwork without tools - 22 stories up MRH mag November/December 2010

I had chosen the Gorm product from IKEA as did Tom. Problem was I only bought enough for two shelving units (joined in the center) and later was disappointed when I found IKEA discontinued the Gorm product line shortly thereafter. I hope your needs to not have this same experience: buy some now and find expansion with the same product is blocked through Ivar product being discontinued.

My modules (dominos) are 24" x 30" and work well for small N scale layout, but I will need to be creative in adding modules later (if I ever do).

Enough to Cover

Thanks Bill,

I was able to purchase enough to 1) serve as the base for The Hills Line and 2) serve as shelving for the entire basement. However I did have to wait about a month for some of the components to come back in stock.

For those that are looking to take a similar approach, heed Bill's advice. Buy enough now to cover later.

James