Building the Potomac Line

[Puddlejumper]

This photo shows the very basic construction of the layout. A simple 24" deep shelf made of 1x4 lumber, screwed to uprights that are screwed directly to the wall studs. The uprights will also serve as backdrop supports. On top of this frame I have a layer of 3/8" plywood topped with 2" foam. I am using HO cork roadbed for the code 83 mainline, 1/8" cork for sidings, and for spurs and other secondary tracks I am using code 70, laid directly on the foam base. I acquired a bit of code 100 track as well, I plan on using that in the yard... eventually. Total layout size will be 12x17, I currently have 3 sides of the benchwork done, 24" deep, but only one side has the foam base installed.



Here is an overview showing a portion on the layout that has skirting installed. The skirting is black fabric that I sewed into the proper size and added shower curtain eyelets. This is in turn mounted on a closet rod, of sorts, that allows me to slide the curtain out of the way to work on the layout, and to access the items stored under the layout. Finally, a fascia will be added that hides the edges of the layout and the top of the skirting. The backdrop will be about 24" tall and mounted to the uprights on the wall.



On more pic showing some of the fiddling around I did with buildings and such. I plan on having this section of layout have a small station, the rears of a bunch of buildings along the backdrop, a team track, station spur, and one or 2 industries. Soon I will be painting the foam base and working on extending the main line around the corners.

Dave