Dec 04 2008
How To - Create a Base for Your Model Railroad
How To - Create a Base for Your Model Railroad
Make a base for your model railroad. First estimate the size of your model railroad. There are two approaches. 1) “Form follows function”. The size and shape of the layout is built up based on the scenes and purposes of the railroad. 2) “Function follows form”. The size and shape of the layout is based on the standard size of materials (such as a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of plywood) or based on the space available for the train layout (it fits inside a basement and around appliances or support columns). The size and shape of the layout can follow the size of track curves or switches and tracks in yards. Draw the track plan on the plywood sheet. You can draw circles, radii, and center lines for curves and straight track sections. However, it’s easiest if you have track and switches on hand to draw with pencil around them. Once you’ve estimated the size of your base, gather materials and tools (such as a glue, deck screws, , tape measure, saber saw, power screw driver, drill bit, and drill).
The base should be supported by 1 inch by 4 inch wood. (If there is no lake or river 1 by 3’s will work. 2 by 4’s are too thick.) The 1 inch edge should be attached to the underside of the base piece of plywood. The 1 inch edge can form a continuous frame inside the edge of the plywood sheet. An additional 1 inch by 4 inch piece should be attached on the underside across the middle. This will provide added support and room to run wires. You can drill holes in the middle 1 inch by 4 inch piece at regular intervals (say, four evenly spaced holes). This will leave room for wires now and the future.
The 1 inch by 4 inch pieces can be glued with carpenter’s glue and screwed with deck screws. The deck screws should be sunk even with the plywood top. Avoid putting a deck screw directly below a switch or a piece of track. (This is one of the reasons to do your track and switch drawing on the plywood sheet.)
If you are building a larger or more complex layout. Build the support pieces first, then put the plywood top on. If you are making slopes or depressions (such as a river or a lake) you can use a scroll saw (saber saw) and cut the plywood top, before it is glued and screwed down to the support pieces, an inch or so away from the sides of the track. Add blocks to the top of the support pieces to raise the track areas or cut notches in the support pieces for future river or lake depressions. This method is called the “cookie cutter method” by model railroaders. It can create solid, gentle transitions in track height.
Before you nail or glue down the track paint the top and the underside and all support pieces with latex house paint. Many modelers paint the sides (support pieces) with a dark, non-glossy, color (such as deep green or brown). Modelers also paint the layout top surface with a medium or light brown as a base for grass or track ballast. You want to seal out moisture. Before you’ll know it, you’ll have a great base for your model railroad.
Have fun!
Trainguy
