{"id":85,"date":"2013-08-24T21:15:44","date_gmt":"2013-08-25T02:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smallmodelrailroads.wordpress.com\/?p=85"},"modified":"2015-04-25T20:52:44","modified_gmt":"2015-04-26T00:52:44","slug":"modular-design-for-a-shelf-layout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/modular-design-for-a-shelf-layout\/","title":{"rendered":"Modular Design for a Shelf Layout"},"content":{"rendered":"

While planning the Peshekee River Railroad<\/a>, I had some significant challenges to overcome. My home has limited space and my railroad would have to share my workshop. I do woodworking so the dust levels are high. The layout will need a way to be protected when doing my woodworking.\u00a0The location for the railroad dictated that the layout would be above 55 inches and on a shelf to clear all my tools and equipment. With such a height,\u00a0I also decided that the bench work should be modular so I could take sections down and work on them at the work bench. I also wanted integral lighting and backgrounds.\u00a0The benchwork design evolved into a boxed frame design with an open front. \u00a0When doing wood working, I would be able to drape a curtain on the front to limit exposure to dust.<\/p>\n

The design centers around 48 inch modules each with four “U” shaped 13.5 x 15.5 ribs 16 inches apart. I used 3\/8 plywood but 1\/2 inch could also be used. All dimensions are given using 1\/2 inch plywood. Each rib is notched at each corner of the “U” to accept horizontal braces. 3\/4 inch holes were drilled in the center of each leg of the “U”. These holes allow power leads to link to adjoining modules. Smaller 1\/4 inch holes for alignment bolts are placed 3 inches from the larger holes. Another alignment hole is indicated at the bottom of the”U” (back of the module) but I have since found it unnecessary, as the others provide more than sufficient alignment and holding power.<\/p>\n

\""U"<\/a>
“U” shaped rib frame member<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These ribs are turned so that the open faces out, spaced 16 inches apart and connected together with 48″ x 2″ strips of plywood on the back and front. I use finish nails to hold everything while the glue sets.<\/p>\n

\"Ribs<\/a>
Ribs are place 16 inches apart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rear<\/a>
Rear braces added<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Front braces (48″ x 2″) are also added to the front.<\/p>\n

\"Front<\/a>
Front braces added<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A rear panel is added. This rear panel becomes the base for the backdrop.<\/p>\n

\"Rear<\/a>
Rear panel added<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once the module reaches this level of construction it may be mounted to the wall. to keep the mount simple I used a “French Cleat”. A french cleat is a length of 3\/4 plywood cut lengthwise at a 45 degree angle. One half is attached to the upper rear brace and the other is attached to the wall. When the cleat on the module is placed on the wall cleat they lock together.<\/p>\n

\"French<\/p>\n

Another small piece of 3\/4 inch plywood will be required on the lower brace to maintain the 3\/4 inch distance and keep the module level. If your wall is very uneven (like mine), a bolt\/nut combination could be used. This allows for very small adjustments to make sure the layout is level.<\/p>\n

\"Nut
Nut and bolt as spacer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sub-roadbed is added by using risers as is typical in L-girder benchwork.<\/p>\n

\"Module
Module end showing risers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Modules
Modules bolted together<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At this time I have all the modules assembled and mounted to the walls. Most of the track is in place as well. I originally intended to use CFL lighting but will be using LED strip instead.\u00a0More updates will be forthcoming.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While planning the Peshekee River Railroad, I had some significant challenges to overcome. My home has limited space and my railroad would have to share…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles-on-small-layouts","wpcat-2-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4e6yk-1n","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1721,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/peshekee-river-railroad-ii-learning-from-mistakes\/","url_meta":{"origin":85,"position":0},"title":"PESHEKEE RIVER RAILROAD II – Learning from mistakes","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"January 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sometimes you just have to learn the hard way. My original Peshekee River Railroad design located \u00a0the layout in my basement workshop. Now I do wood working so this was not a good idea. I had thought that by creating a shelf layout that enclosed the layout and prevented dust\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Layout Spotlight"","block_context":{"text":"Layout Spotlight","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/layout-spotlight\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Room layout drawn is SketchUp","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/RoomLayout.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/RoomLayout.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/RoomLayout.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/RoomLayout.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/RoomLayout.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/RoomLayout.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":18,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/peshekee-river-railroad-ho-shelf-layout-design\/","url_meta":{"origin":85,"position":1},"title":"Peshekee River Railroad – HO Shelf Layout Design","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"September 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"My larger model railroad project centers on a freelance railroad that traverses northern Michigan from Champion to Arvin on Huron Bay. Although the overall layout will be large it is being constructed in 12 x 48 inch pieces. So this will be a collection of small layouts. The northern Michigan\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Arvin Slate Quarry as it looks today","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/arvinslate_today.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1735,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/small-layout-meet-2017\/","url_meta":{"origin":85,"position":2},"title":"Small Layout Meet 2017","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"April 7, 2017","format":"aside","excerpt":"The Small Layout Meet is Back! June 10, 2017, 10AM - 4PM Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, INC 12505 C.R. 99 Findlay, OH 45840 Same people, about a third of a mile east of the original location. Jeff and Russ are coordinating the show. 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These layouts are always at various stages of completion and represent several scales, gauges\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":860,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/the-4x8-layout-a-right-of-passage-for-the-model-railroad-rookie\/","url_meta":{"origin":85,"position":4},"title":"The 4×8 Layout – A Rite of Passage for the Model Railroad Rookie","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"July 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"I have been a model railroader for many years. 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