3.3.3 Shelf Benchwork

Benchwork is the term given to the structural assembly that supports the model railroad layout. 

In 3.4 Benchwork I identified that in Lynn Westcotts authoritative work How to build Model Railroad Benchwork, he identifies two ways to frame the railroad layout and three ways to support the track.

In this page we will discuss a third way of benchwork construction: Shelf  Benchwork

Modeling Information

Shelf layouts can be up to 24 inches wide (based on shelf brackets maximum of 16 inches. Widths of 12 to 15 inches typically work much better. That width is deep enought to acomodate several tracks or structures and a bit of scenery. 

Materials

Track Support - Shelf can be built from wood framing, or from galvanized metal commercial shelf brackets. both simple stamped brackets and the more durable single and double hook brackets and shelf uprights.  

stamped metal bracket

formed metal bracket

vertical support beam

 

• The stamped metal bracket can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores. It comes in a variety of widths, 7.5 inch, 9.5 inch, 11.5 inch and 13.5 inch. 
• The formed metal bracket can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores. 
• The vertical support beam comes with either single and double slots which single or double hook backets are inserted. They can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores.

 This is an interesting welded steel bracket. The bracket has a spring loaded lock and it can be folded downward. I found this one at my Menards home improvement store. This could come in handy for any one of a variety of drop down situations.

spring loaded welded steel bracket

welded steel bracket folded down

Berkshire Bracket

Wood brackets. Here is an innovative wood bracket system used by Joe Smith on his New Haven layout (Signalstation199). Joe calls them "Berkshire Brackets". He cut out the track support brackets from a continuous piece of 3/4" plywood sheathing, then mounted the plywood with screws to the 2"x4" legs attached to the wall previously or to 4"x4" legs attached to the ceiling. Those modelers who don't (or can't) mount the legs to the wall could use Malcom Furlow's stud wall scheme I discuss in 3.4 Stud Wall. 

 

 

 Cantilever 

(pic)

 

Construction

Shelf Construction Courtesy of Pierre Oliver

Shelf Brackets. All the shelving brackets are attached to the wall. The shelf height is determined by layout design. A vertical layout line is determined and marked on the wall. The horizontal layout line is then marked based on the grade of the subroadbed. The line can be laid out by the use of a construction level or by chalk line - torpedo level.

The number of brackets and mounting distance depends on the type and weight of shelving material used for the subroadbed. Minimal mounted distance is generally 16 inch centers (the standard distance of common wood wall studs). 

Vertical support beam. For the vertical support beam, you attach one support beam to the wall. Lay the level across the top of the bracket to determine the correct height for the second bracket beam. Mark a horizontal line. Locate the appropriate wall stud. Level the brack vertically and horizontally.  Put the brackets in the slots and confirm the level. If slightly out of level, use shims on the shelf as appropriate. 

The WWSL

The WWSL has one location where the benchwork is cantilevered. That is the Tunnel 1 Section. The inside section is sitting on a metal L-girder screwed into the stud wall. The outside section is sitting on a metal L-girder that is temporarily held up by a couple of vertical L-girders. That will be replaced with a second metal L-girder welded to the metal lally post.

 

The Chehelis River section is anchored with legs on the aisle sides, so it isnt't a true cantilever.

Reference

Joe Smith, Berkshire Bracket,  Signalstation199,

Pierre Oliver, Shelf Brackets Elgin Car Shops

 Greg Amer, Shelf Bracket Benchwork