On this page I want to highlight the different approaches and techniques I used with regard to the benchwork for this layout. The entire layout was built on top of various cabinets and bookcases.

The benchwork for this layout was a bit unusual in that I attached it to the spline roadbed, i.e. the roadbed was the foundation. The supports for the roadbed were a piece of 3/4-inch plywood for the vertical height, and a piece of 1/4-inch plywood for the horizontal stability. All was held together with yellow Carpenter's glue.

I installed vertical supports to which the layout's backdrop and front fascia panels were glued. In this next photo the center section's backdrop is just positioned but not yet installed.

The front fascia panel was cut to match a future profile of the scenery. Both the front and back panels are now installed.

On January 22, 2007 I built the benchwork that will eventually support some industrial track and buildings.

I completed the under-the-layout work of the turntable, so I wanted to dress the layout up a bit. I glued some Masonite board along the two visible fronts. It was a bit of a challenge to hold the panels in place while the glue set. However, as can be seen in this photo, tape is a great clamping tool!

This side profile of the right-hand side of the layout shows its construction. The industrial area has all the Tortoises pre-installed, before the track work was completed. Also of note here was how I dealt with access to this area. The Masonite board standing on end on the left side of the photo is actually snapped in place in front of the exposed area. When installed, it gave the layout a nice, finished look, while still providing access to the area underneath the layout.

The removable front panel was kept in place by ordinary cabinet door magnets that I got at Lowe's.

On June 26, 2007 I had the bulk of the scenery work done for the center and right-hand side of the layout, so I could start to paint the front fascia. This photo shows two coats of white primer paint applied to the Masonite front panels.

Another month has passed and the front fascia has been painted. The background panels have all been repainted in a light blue color for now. The workbench has been removed from the room, because this room was used as a guest bedroom for a week. It does give the room a nice, uncluttered look.

Starting on January 17th, 2008, the New Years, I decided it was time to start working on the left side of the layout. I rearranged some furniture in the house and was able to move two of the cabinets I had built during my last major layout into the room. These will be the foundation of the left side of the layout.

After looking at the layout, I decided the next day that before I start working on the left side, I wanted to redo the center section. I wasn't happy with it for several reasons. It was very thin and so didn't allow for but one mainline track. The scenery was right up against the train. Also, the track was starting to have problems. I didn't do a careful job and so it started twisting and popping loose in several spots. In this photo I had torn down everything in the center section, except for the backdrop.

I glued a one-inch strip of plywood to the backdrop panel. I painted the backdrop panel white while I had access to it. The front panel is a separate piece that I cut to fit the scenery profile I plan to have. I also glued a strip of plywood along its bottom. Those will be the foundation of the benchwork here. Remember, I didn't want to attach anything to the walls of the room, and the area under this part of the layout needed to provide space for a temporary bed whenever we have family visit.

Boards of 1/4-inch plywood were glued to the strips on the front and back panels. I pre-drilled these boards to take the DCC and accessories bus wires.

I added little glue blocks to each side of the boards for extra strength. Although the result was very strong, I decided to add some diagonal braces on the bottom as well.

Once I had decided on the track plan for the section, I cut and glued vertical supports for the cookie-cutter style roadbed I wanted to do here.

I decided to try a similar approach for the benchwork on the left-hand side. Individual boards of 1/4-inch plywood were cut and placed on the cabinets. Small glue blocks held them upright. These were just loose, because I didn't want to attach anything to the cabinets.

By February 15, 2008 I had the plywood cut onto which the track and scenery for this side of the layout were to be placed.