Benchwork Construction

Finally, non-workbench benchwork…

This past weekend I was finally able to start some construction on the benchwork for the layout. With my little wood shop built in the dungeon cellar finished and a large 4×8′ workbench built I could make some sawdust.

This new nifty software we have works great for generating construction drawings, even spits out a cut-list for each piece. This drawing is for the main structure of the benchwork. Onto this the sections of the terminal will be latched. Each section of the terminal will have its own box like structure built under it.

I refined the design of the benchwork to the point where I was confident I could start construction without getting ahead of myself. I made up a new rendering with the top transparent so the boxes and benchwork would be seen in place.

click on image for large version.

A bit of progress was made, the framework is all assembled and I have started on the hinged legs. The legs are designed to fold down completely inside the frame so they are not sticking up and interfering with items likely to be stacked onto it when it is being transported in the van.

The cross bracing is recessed into the legs to keep them flush and out of the way. Only one is installed in the image above but there will be two on each set of fold down legs.

The layout sections waiting patiently for some benchwork to sit on. Will likely be a few weeks yet. I’m hoping to have it at least standing for the Doubleheaders Layout Tour in Kitchener early next month, I’ve agreed to set it up in the registration hall.

On to Next Section

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 03-10-2008 | 04:03 PM
Posted in: Benchwork Construction | Latest Posts | Comments (5)

Bronx Terminal Virtual Model

Work in progress.

click on image for larger version…..

I really don’t want to make the Bronx Terminal layout in sections, but I have no choice if I want to have it portable and it fit into our van. I considered renting a truck every time I decide to take it to a show, but that would be expensive and rough on the layout as those U-Haul pieces of crap are not the smoothest way to travel. To that end, I had little choice but to build it sectional, which dramatically adds to the complexity of the design on a layout of this very odd shape.

I am going to do all the design in 3D as this will allow me to ensure the sections and benchwork will line up properly. The top of the layout is in 3 pieces, the structure below it will be a single section with fold down legs.

The rendering above is a work in progress with much detail yet to be added, such as the fascia around the front of the layout and some of the support pieces below. I thought I would post the rendering to get a sense of the size of the finished display.

-T

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 02-27-2008 | 11:02 AM
Posted in: Latest Posts | Comments (2)

Finishing the LaSalette Station

and scenicing the module.

With the Copetown train show approaching I had to stop work on the Bronx Terminal to finish off the LaSalette station and scenic the Free-Mo module I am building as part of the CASO group.

I finished off the station late last week and completed most of the scenery on the module, below are a few shots of the completed station and the module.

all the images are clickable to bigify.

The order board was taken from the prototype image above, the perspective fixed and scaled to HO scale. I printed it out and glued it to some thin ply. MCRR (Michigan Central Railroad) can almost be made out.

I have been waiting for some printed tar paper roofing for several weeks now, and decided to give up on it. I made some roofing using some simple white paper stained gray with leather dye, cut into strips and darkened the edges with a black marker. It was glued in place with white glue.

The module really comes to life when some trains roll! The rolling stock here is a mix of Pierre Oliver’s and Rich Chrysler’s work, all excellent stuff!

About the Author:

I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!

Posted by: Tim | 02-25-2008 | 09:02 PM
Posted in: LaSalette Freemo Module | Latest Posts | Comments (4)