Domino stack

 

After converting the backdrop pieces to regular modules, I have a stack of bench work that is ready to be installed in the layout room. My earlier calculations about how many of these I could use were incorrect. It turns out that I can use each one, and that they take care of all of the main modules needed! I only have to make some add on pieces to take care of the ends of the aisles for a turnback loop and the Bethlehem Steel complex. That's pretty darn amazing.

I'll need to install a ledger and a beam for the modules on the long west wall, and then make a few extra legs for the rest. My original idea was to make a platform to put the island modules on that would allow removal of the modules and leave a large work surface that is easily broken down for conversion to a guest room. I'll have to design this or maybe just get some more legs to start with. Having a large work surface would really be nice.

As you can see, it took all of about half a day before I started using one of the modules for an assembly surface for a small house project today. You can never have too much workspace!

Gift horse

So I hear a knock on the door early Saturday morning and open it to find several benchwork modules standing at attention waiting for a military review. Actually not even close to what happened, but it is what it looked like after I drove to Bastrop Friday afternoon, loaded them with help from donor Mike Barrett and unloaded by myself early the next morning. They are now upstairs in the layout room awaiting the next step.

These are the nomadic modules originally from David Barrow's Cat Mountain & Santa Fe that have found a new home as part of the Port of New York Railroad after Mike decided he was going to need to construct specialty bench work for his layout. (Thanks David and Mike!)

They will be used to form quite a bit of the bench work for my Hoboken Shore. Some of them (the blue ones) will be converted from backdrops to modules to make up at least 3/4 of the entire layout baseboards. I'll remove one of the sides of Luan plywood and mount using 2x ledgers on the walls and some sort of leg assembly for the islands.

It should only take a few hours to install. I'm thinking that I'll get them assembled, but I am still wanting to proceed with another pocket terminal or two before tackling the HBS track work.