Benchwork and roadbed
Sealing wood benchwork
I am about to buy lumber to build my small layout. I am using pine lumber and 1/2 fir plywood. I want to make it look good from the start so am considering staining and applying polyurethane to the bench work frame and legs. Would it also be worthwhile to prime and paint the plywood on top and bottom? I am thinking a light grey colour. The layout is small enough that it wouldn't be a major outlay of cash or time but I am wondering if there would be any benefits to doing so.
GregW66
https://gregstrainyard.com
Let’s see your fascia!
A WPF recently got sidetracked over fascia design and color. I really found everyone’s design and choices interesting. Please post yours here or ideas for making it more attractive, efficient, useful, etc.
Thanks!
Neil
Track or Subroadbed, ...Expansion\Contraction problems
What exactly is the problem that almost all us face with our model railroad track seeming to change shape (length in particular), with temp & humidity variations? Can it be attributed to the track alone, or the subroadbed alone? ...or primarily to __?
Protection for G-scale switch stands
I will be using G-scale switch stands to throw each turnout’s points.
One issue I had to resolve was how to protect each stand from being damaged by a wayward arm or elbow. The solution I settled on was to use bronze colored sprung door stops. If an operator gets too close from either side, the door stops should do a good job or getting their attention to avoid snapping off a stand.
Scott Thornton
Woodland Scenic Track-Bed. Good, bad, or ugly?
I picked up a couple boxes of this stuff some years ago when a hobby shop was closing up and because I haven't built a layout yet, I still have it.
I've used cork before and found it very noisy so I thought this would be a big improvment.
I probably have enough to do my mainline as I have this layout sketch in my head but I was wondering if I should go to something different. Thoughts?
I haven't decided yet what I'm doing for a sub roadbed and I realize now that makes a big difference in noise.
Two questions for users of Spline Roadbed.
I have completed 850 feet of spline for my layout. How do you all fill the space between spline sections? I was thinking spray foam then carve drain swales between them?
Also what type of linkage do you all use to control turnouts with under table machines? Do the linkages come through the center of the of the spline or connection to the throwbar from the side of the spline? If from the center, do you add another spline section to each side of the main spline to reinforce the area around the hole?
Thanks,
Mike
1 x 3 L-girders for legs?
I was able to score a number of "premium" 2 x 4s from a person's remodel project that went sour. I have about 30 2x4 x 7 and maybe 15 that are 3 to 4 feet long. I have to pull nails from them and because some were toe-nailed together the ends on some are chewed up. But they were up for a while and should be dry. They are generally knot-free and straight.
I also have a table saw and can rip the 2 x 4s into 1 x 4s (finished dimensions would be 3/4" by 3 1/2").
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