Basic Model Railroad Benchwork

Step-by-step instructions and an illustrated teaching method take the mystery out of constructing model railroad benchwork. Covers the materials and tools necessary and the rudimentary skills required to make sturdy benchwork for any size or scale layout.

Author: Jeff Wilson
Perfect-bound softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 96 pages; 300 black and white photos; 25 illustrations; ISBN: 9780890246153

Jeff Wilson has written more than 20 books on railroads and model railroading. He spent 10 years as an associate editor at Model Railroader magazine, and he currently works as a freelance writer, editor, and photographer, contributing articles to MR and other magazines. He also writes a model railroading column for Model Retailer magazine and is a correspondent for Trains magazine. He enjoys many facets of the hobby, especially building structures and detailing locomotives, as well as photographing both real and model railroads.

Introduction 5

Tools and materials 8
What you need to know before you get started
Simple grid table 20
A solid base for a small layout
L-girder benchwork 28
A versatile base for larger layouts
Cookie-cutter tabletop 34
An easy way to add depth to a layout
Plywood alternative 41
Use plywood strips in place of dimensional lumber
Open-grid benchwork 46
Expanding benchwork around a room
Free-form subroadbed 54
The secret of roadbed, risers, and cleats
Wall-mounted benchwork 64
Create more storage space...
Double-deck benchwork 73
Double up your layout space
Backdrops and fascia 80
Visually extend your layout
Duckunders, liftouts, and swinging gates 87
Options for gaining access to your layout
Benchwork as furniture 92
Making your layout room an attractive setting

Index 96