Watch as Model Railroader managing editor David Popp transfers the track plan to the benchwork tabletop. You’ll also see how David uses a saber saw to cut the cookie-cutter style benchwork for this model train layout.
Building Model Railroader’s HO scale Virginian Ry part 4: Benchwork top
By Angela Cotey | November 19, 2011
| Last updated on November 23, 2020
Learn how to install the top of the benchwork for this HO scale model railroad
Vinny Medaglio from Viera Florida
the Hardest part on transferring the cut out Diagram for the Virginian to Plywood until My friend Tom came with a idea we brought the Diagram to a local Fed Ex that makes copies and we had the diagram blown up into a 4ft x 8ft copy. we then bought carbon paper and laid it down on the plywood first . we then laid the 4ft x 8ft diagram and held it down with painters tape we then traced the whole layout where we had to cut with my sabre saw.. tell your readers this is the easiest way to transfer the Diagram on to the 4ft x 8ft plywood.
I se many same questions that I have – where is detailed dimensional data to layout track plan to 4 x 8 panel. But where are the answers posted? Where can I get the answer?
i like to know in details how you draw the lines on the table both straight and especially curves with that ruler
Hi David,
I am very interested in modeling the "Pennsylvania RR Middle Division" ho scale layout that originaly Dave Frary did some years back! Is the track plan that is within the article sufficent enough that I could use to transfer to my bench work? Or do I need something different? They used a 24" grid.
This layout would work fine with the type of room I have and I love to model this era!
Thank you for your help!
Scott Lindsley
David: I am a biginner/BIGINNER and sure would like to have copy of thr track transfer on paper to be sure I get right so not to waste wood!!? Is there som way I could get a copy, and detailed instructions?? The vidoes could be much longer. THANKS TERRY
I was hoping to see the risers installed. I am a highway/railway engineer by trade and the mention of vertical curves that connect the level sections with the rising grade sections of track would be helpful. I can see that the flex of the plywood would put some of the vertical curves into the design, but this is often overlooked in the design of some beginner layouts and can cause problems for snowplows and smoothness in the track and function of the train. The horizontal alignment curves are mentioned in this and later videos, but only in terms of simple curves. It is a nice tip to see a yard stick in use to layout the curves. Note: Real railroads connect tangents with a spiral arc before simple curves in high-speed horizontal alignments.
Boy, you didn't do the risers. And the next video they're all up. That could be tricky for some people.
Good show!
As a beginner, it is great to see the video along with the articles! My son and I have all our track on order and will be cutting the wood tonight. Great job! (secrets of transfering the plan to the board would be cool! Specifically switches)
Thank you.
I would have rather seen the actual transfer of the track plan. There are always tricks to that, that I'm sure we have all encountered. Loving the seris though. Godd work.
David, nice job. You said 19-20 videos for this series , oh my!
Keep up the good work.
That was a good video
As always, MR's videos are fun viewing. Although I have been a modeler for over 40 years, and have a large layout, it's still instructive watching other modelers in action.
Great Series of Videos David, excellent for beginners and experienced model railroaders alike,…. I reckon you can teach an old dog new tricks!… I am in the process of modifying and doubling the size of my present layout and I have already picked up on a couple of new ways in constructing a solid frame and track base. You can read the article in the MR mag, but to see it being done in video has numerous visual advantages. I look forward to following the series as it develops into future episodes. Keep up the good work..
DALE R HAWORTH; a 4×8 layout is 32 sq. ft, hardly a few hundred square feet.
Most of the techniques shown can scale to other size model railroads, larger and smaller. You can go to this web site's track plan database and look at their shelf layouts for inspiration. They also reference to the specific back issue in question for more information.
Good video I agree with Craig Strickland from North Carolina.
You need to put a larger PDF on the web.
thanks for sharing . i cant wait to see more . wonderful job.
I would like to see more detail on the transfer of the plan to the layout. I paused the video several times to read the plan and noticed that you were using the Atlas snap swithes on the yard ladder and it said "(3)18" cut to size". Other areas it stated no. 5 or 6. Maybe when you are laying track this is where you will be more descriptive. As always I enjoy the magazine and really think you guys do a great job.
I am a "newby" and have just begun my benchwork. The video condenses written information and by the "show & tell" makes it so much more interesting, while answering questions at the same time, as we progress. I understand how it all comes together a lot better than before. Thanks for this mode of instrucdtion. Keep up the fantastic way to maintain modelers attention and increase their knowledge about the "world's greatest hobby". I'm "hooked" for life.
Happy new year David! Really enjoying the Virginian series. Clear explanation on how to lay out a cookie cutter style table top. Great job.
In the closing scene it looks like you stack firewood in your garage? Not a good thing to do as you can easily introduce termites to you home by doing this. Better to stack it outside away from the structure and cover it.
Is it posseble to get copys of project layout vidios of the Virginian, for future referance? Im planning to build the Virginian in the fall with my son and want to be able to reference back to the videos for any tips, ticks , or technecks the are in the videos.
Excellent video for people getting started with a small layout. Demonstrates the procedure for making a nice small layout with operation and scenic effects.
It would be nice to have a digitized drawing of the layout so that you could make full sized templates of the cutting pattern. This would make it easier for us beginners. You could even sell the pattern in 2X 4 ft pieces full scale to be transfered to the 4×8 sheet of plywood.
A 4X8 doesn't work almost anywhere. Too big and wasteful of space. What you have here is great for folks with a few hundred square feet to spare. It is very nice, to be sure; it will always exist between my ears.
David, Long Time Reader to MR going back to the 60s. Love this new concept of step by step videoography and frankly simple- for us old folks (and new ones) to follow. Not a lot of tech talk- just straight talk that can be understood by all. I would concur with others here to expand your video just a tad with a pinch more detail as to what you are doing and why. I know it is hard to edit into what everyone wants. So I will say- I am just happy to see something that I can visual myself doing someday. Keep up the great effort and I am anxious to see the next video installment.
I lack the skill to create and translate a scale drawing. Mr. Popp mentioned using a scale. But How? Seems a couple other folks have similar challange. I just aquired a 10X12 space I plan to build a layout in. Any tips? In the past I layed track on the floor and then figured the benchwork from there. Never really worked with any elevations in the past. So mostly flat layouts. been almost 20 years since I built anything other than and N track Module.