Modeling Information
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 the second of the three ways to support the track - Panel Track Support.
Framing. Panel Track Support can be used with either open grid or L-Girder. See 3.3.1 Open grid benchwork or 3.3.2 L-Girder benchwork for additional information.
Materials. There are a variety of materials used for the construction of panel track support. That material that is commonly in use are:
- Plywood or luan. Either material framed with a 1 inch x 2inch dimensional wood frame becomes a panel. You can determine the size and cut material to fit.
- Hollow core doors.They are
inexpensive, lightweaght and easy to handle. They come in various
sizes,(24, 28, 30, 32 and 36 inches wide x 80 inches long ) and are ideal for sectional layouts. Cut to the required size and reframe as required.
- Honeycomb Pads. You can buy these from shipping service companies, however a more common source is cheap cardboard paneled doors. I found one at a local construction recycling store. It had a resin coating stamped with an imitation wood grain. I could tell only because the door was so light in weight. Cut to size and reframe as required.
- Polystyrene foam board. Foam boards are offered as 4' by 8' panels in 1/2, 1,1 1/2 and 2 inches thicknesses.
Construction. There are a variety of possibilities for panel track support in the layout. Possibilities include:
- Open grid framing with a sheet of plywood.
- Open grid framing with hollow core doors
- Open grid framing with exstruded polystyrene foam board.
- L-Girder framing with hollow core doors.
- L-Girder framing with polystyrene foam board.
Resource
Barry Norman, Lightweight Layout Construction, Part III: Hollow-Core Lumber, RailModel Journal - March 1995
Chris Mears, Prince Street blog, Foam core benchwork
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