[regme]

Hi

After lots of questions, listening to advise on this forum, the build has finally commenced, my layout is going to be based on an iron ore mine with a train load out and car dumper (hopefully operational) plus a few additional infrastructure. I would like a conveyor to connect it all up, but there might not be enough room. The layout may change once I start putting it down, it seems to look different in real life then on the screen.

So far I have the frame work up. It's modular in construction, just in case I have to move it. Ended up using cabinet connectors to connect the modules together.

Just have the plywood top, XPS foam base and backdrop to go

 

[regme]

Hi

Been working on the backdrop side of things, was hoping to have it finished for the weekend but the nail gun packed itself in.

These are the sides, just have to the middle and I can start on the XPS foam base. The backboard is 3mm MDF, it's 400mm high plus I raised it another 25mm of the base since the XPS foam is 50mm thick. The corners have a 400mm radius, I wanted 300mm but it just felt too tight.

I try to get a tighter radius by kerfing the MDF and it looked promising until that finally little bit before the MDF shat itself.

Cheers

 

[PAPPA.B]

Nice woodwork 👍

 

[regme]

Thanks, plenty of mistakes though.

Mistake #0001 - Always pick your own timber.
Mistake #0002 - When you buy a square make sure it's square.

 

[PAPPA.B]

Mistake #0001 - Always pick your own timber.

yeah especially how much it's gone up in price and someone picking it for you won't be as fussy .

 

[Graham Plowman]

Thanks, plenty of mistakes though.

Mistake #0001 - Always pick your own timber.
Mistake #0002 - When you buy a square make sure it's square.

Yep, going through that right now with my O Gauge layout boards: Salcombe progress update

Went to Bunnings thinking I would pay $46 per 4x8 sheet of 12mm ply. Every sheet was warped at rates that Captain Kirk would be proud of.
I ended up purchasing 'structural ply' at $71 per sheet. A lot more expensive, but a much better product.

Also agree on the square: cheap knock-offs from Asia are usually not square. Get a German or Swiss product. Make sure it hasn't been dropped!

 

[regme]

Ah Bunnings, I managed to find another supplier for plywood and timber that had a better finish with prices comparable if not better than Bunnings. The best saving I got was $27 for a sheet of 3mm plywood, while Bunnings had it for $42.

 

[regme]

Hi

Finally finished the base board and backdrop, the backdrop has been primed with British Paints Prep 4 in 1 (water based)

Cheers

 

[regme]

Hi

While gluing down the XPS foam, cut up some cork road bed using a mat cutter, set the width and just remember to rotate the sheet of cork every second cut.

 

[regme]

Hi

Finally finished the baseboard, now to transfer the layout and starting laying track

Cheers

 

[regme]

Hi

Have finally transferred the layout from the computer to the baseboard and the first of the roadbed is going down

 

[regme]

Hi

So this is the train load out area, it sits 100mm higher than the rest of the layout. I'm going to build the TLO on a 10mm piece of acrylic, so I'll have a 90mm for the track going under it.

As I'm building on foam, I also want to be able to move the TLO to build it away from the layout.

What would be the best way to support it, I'm not sure if I can build the supports directly on the foam or cut through the foam and support it from the wooden frame underneath? I'm not sure if the foam would be able to support the weight over time.

The pieces of wood are just to get an idea of the height.

 

[regme]

Hi

From the previous post I ended up cutting through the foam and fastening the wooden supports to the baseboard.

The layout has progressed a bit, more cork roadbed and started to put in the grades..

Cheers