This hobby makes us amateur woodworkers, electricians and quasi contractors. Sometimes the best part is the actual build. Have a great weekend my friend
As a much better than average wood worker, I have been admiring the structure under your layout, thinking to myself that even from the tracks down, this layout is a masterpiece. Thanks for the tour of its' building. And, I am relieved to know that the beautiful looking fireplace was already not usable.
Woodworking is one of the trades I'd love to experience, perfection and beauty in wood. But I'm an electrician, I enjoy the challenges of a wiring project. This opens up a new concept to me of building a strong "finished" table. Also gives an excuse to buy more tool now.
Always an excuse to buy more tools, haha! I am more of a wiring person myself. This is why I was so grateful to have Lawrence's help. Thanks for watching!
Beautiful craftsmanship, very interesting to see how a professional builds the table structure. Thank you Lawrence for sharing your expertise with this community.
A education in planning and craftsmanship, Chris! Lawrence is a master and you were fortunate to have his help. Thanks for sharing this fascinating look at the construction of a great layout table!
Fantastic! Thank you very much for showing me how to design the layout based on an actual set up. I learned soooo much. This is what RU-vid is all about!
I am in the very early stage of design, I am going to build a N-Scale on an 40 X 80 inch platform. My engine of procivity is a KATO 4884 BIGBOY so the radius of the corners I want to be as prototypical as possible, so it looks the part...alway enjoy your energy and all the cool stuff you share. Thank you!
I have more time to express how happy and honor to see your RU-vid videos. Most of all seeing young guys like you and your friends in the hobby. It’s been around over a 100 years and still people enjoy it. I know the cost can be high but what hobby is not expensive. The thing I look at if I get to old I can always sell them. It’s an investment for the future. I do wish one day I could meet you guys and hey maybe come out west . Your always invited to my home. Keep up the great work on everything stay healthy and safe to
This was an incredible video Chris. Loved seeing the transformation. I have been a woodworker as a hobby for many years and I can tell you that what your friend did was not an easy task especially the radius parts he is truly gifted and you got the benefit of it hopefully you took care of him what a great friend
I love it!” Thank you Chris! A lot of people I know want a train layout, but have no idea on how to get started with a table or the size. By showing them this video, now they know just how much work go’s into making a table for the trains. Great video!
It’s always fun to see how other folks layouts come together! Your process for benchwork couldn’t be anymore different then how I did mine. Always fun! Thanks for sharing.
This was great. I always thought those legs were solid pine or something. 35 of those would have cost a ton, making them out of plywood was a great idea. The 5-10 HO layout I once had in our upstairs game room was built using all-plywood construction except for the legs, that is a great way to go to avoid humidity issues like you said. One day I'll have that 15x17 foot game room back to put trains in, but for now it has been taken over by my son's drum kit and all of his other percussion gear.
I am so grateful that you posted this video. I am in the process of finishing a much larger (15' x 35') space in my house for a bigger layout that will require all new benchwork. I have always marveled at the professional finish of your benchwork, especially the smoothly curved table edges and finely shaped legs. I will try to duplicate this technique on mine as well.
Thanks for all the time required to present this information. Your videos are always educational, fun, inspirational, and honest. Every model railroader knows the great effort it takes to create and maintain a functional miniature world. And, most of the time it takes a village to get it done!
Amazing bench work in 60 hours. Many don’t know how much time is put in to our layouts. You just kicked the tip off the iceberg. Great explanation on the real world of building the bench work of a layout. Hats off to you.. 🚂😊👍
As a fellow woodworker when I started watching your videos the first thing my eyes went to was the bench work. It was simple and clean in design. It gave me some ideas for my own layout but, sadly I have the little issue of no space to make one. One day I will have the space and start the project. One day.
I have such an appreciation for the woodworking hobby after seeing how this came together. I bet you can build some amazing things as well since you are into the woodworking side of things as well! Thanks for watching
Amazing work Chris! Your friend Lawrence is an outstanding woodworker. Very informative thank you for sharing. Particularly interesting was the build up of the table legs. Way more sophisticated than using 2x4’s. Thanks 👍
Lawrence is a master! Heck when my brother built his benchwork for his O scale layout I don't even think he used a miter box, lol. I'm interested to know why were the legs composite built out of the plywood? Would a 4x4 solid piece of lumber have been subject to the warping you were trying to avoid?
Thanks for sharing. Great video and so much work to make it look great. I just received some of my RCS track and switches as I am replacing my tubular track. My wife wants me to rebuild another layout so she can replace the flooring first. That is an ouch factor but when the wife asks for something you do not question her.
It’s great looking benchwork, Chris. I’m amazed that you have built your layout (including scenery and structures) in about 2 years. My layout is over 20 years old and it’s still not scenicked :-(
Great video and an absolutely beautiful finished product. I'll be building an O scale layout soon and will need solid (and professional-looking benchwork). I have no woodworking skills nor do I have the tools to execute the project as flawlessly as Lawrence did. I think maybe hiring a professional carpenter/woodworker would save me a ton of time, money, and hassle. Very inspirational. Thanks.
I really, really, REALLY hate you guys with basements and big spare rooms! 😡 Just kidding Chris! That layout's a masterpiece, really more like fine furniture than a toy train set-up! It wouldn't surprise me if it actually added to the resale value of the house! Your friend Lawrence is an artist, no doubt about it! My sincere complements!
Good afternoon Chris, It’s Dennis from England I’ve been watching your channel for a few months now this video was fantastic really enjoyed watching how you built your benchwork keep the good work up Dennis
The layout looked better bare...lol nah dude. From time to time it's a great thing to look back at your progress to appreciate what you created. Congratulations on your feature in CTT!
Fantastic construction. As someone who used some recycled materials and minimal supplies, I love the attention to detail on this design. I wish I had the patience for this furniture like construction, maybe on the next layout. Thanks for sharing!
New to the channel. Love it! Getting back into the hobby. I just watched this video. I know enough about woodworking to know that's one badass setup. Nice work!
The benchwork is great!! Very impressive!! My previous layouts were plywood table sections of course but the legs were just 2x4's. Not nearly the level of patience and care that you guys did. Lawrence's work demonstrates great patience. I've been thinking about a new layout but one employing open grid construction rather than plywood table type construction. As I get older, open grid is becoming more and more appealing as I can stand up and work (and reach) just about anything instead of old experiences of crawling down under the layout, getting my hands to hold onto some wiring or table work or bolts and only then realize that the much needed tool(s) are on top of the tables. - AAAAGGGHH! This happened to me lots of times. (Grid construction would eliminate this experience) 😁Back to your benchwork though, I love the wood work under your layout. It's almost a shame to cover it with a layout because so much patience, love, pride and care went into it. On those outer curves though, have you considered a plexiglass band around the outer perimeter? So nothing falls and hits the floor of course.
I hear you on being able to reach everything! I may install something in the future but I have not had any problems yet with any trains falling. Plus, the barrier would impact my video camera angles. Thanks for watching!
you have elaborate legs..lol..... Pretty cool to see the whole build process. i did a small 4x8 "cookie cutter" design once..Just used pine and 2x4's...it worked. Sadly no room for anything larger...Beautiful layout and very tidy..Be hard for me to allow my kids to run around there..if i had any...haha.....bad enough with cats chasing everything....thanks for sharing that.
Very nice. I like using 3/4" cabinet grade plywood for the support members as well. Much straighter than 1x4's or 2x4's and will stay straight. When you said it took 6 hours to level all the tables I thought that's pretty good. It took me 3 hours to level 3 tables.
I do love the contoured edges of yours. It looks so clean. I ended up engineering mine in sections so that down the road if I move and need to salvage it I can just cut through the foam board ground and resin that I'm using for my river along the seams and fold up the legs to pack them into a U Haul. Then, rather than making the table the exact size from the beginning, it was a rough L shape first then I added bump-outs with shelf brackets holding them up. Very sturdy but I'm thinking of eventually doing something to smooth the edges out a bit, as I used MDF board rather than plywood so it's a bit jagged. Might take some sort or shroud that attaches to the top edges then drapes over the sides.
i wish the apt i am living in was half as good -as that layout--here in qyake country best job i hav ever seen with layouts -and i seen a lot of them class A-- WC
That is some awesome bench work Chris. I wish my bench work was that nice. You have given me several ideas because I am getting ready to expand my layout. Love all the work that you put into the channel.
Really cool table and layout! I am about the same age as you but my back was tore up pretty back in the military (80 percent disabled) and it hurts to squat down for too long, my back can’t take it, been trying to find a place that will make the table for me. Can’t wait to finally get that done. I am also kinda wanting to wait because I am having my house built on my farm here in Kentucky, I have 500 acres around Georgetown KY and once the house is built I want to build a separate train building beside the house.
Amazing video, what a work of art. It does look really sturdy!! The CAD rendering was cool to see how much thought was put into the project. Congrats on many years of running those trains. You say at the end it was 60 hours of work?! Wow it seems like more than that. Lawrence is the friend we all need!! What a guy :)
Chris Once again another amazing and informative video!!! Benchwork construction is incredible. I always wondered how you created the track design and after seeing this it’s clear that it was done the old school way!!
Wow, that was absolutely amazing! I’ve been kicking around Several ideas for a layout and this was definitely a video I needed to see! Very very impressive, very talented! Thanks for sharing another great video Chris!
Great video Chris. Great craftsmanship and you are so lucky to have a friend that is so talented. I have always wanted to see how large train tables were constructed. I'm holding on to your video for future reference. You have a beautiful layout and it's very strong and sturdy. I have always wanted to make sure that all of the wiring underneath the layout was not only hooked up correctly but that all of the electrical connections and wiring would be clean and not one wire on top of another wire causing Mass confusion. I love your videos Chris and your enthusiasm.. you would make a great friend and you're a great person. Wish I lived closer to you but I'm all the way here in SoCal. So your videos mean a lot to me. I learned so much from you. Please keep your videos coming along with all of the things that you tell us about the engines cars prices and more. Thanks again Chris.
What I learned today is everyone needs a Lawrence in their lives XD Hopefully when I move into my "forever home" I can find a Lawrence to help me make a train table that lists til 'death do us part'.
That is some crazy nice benchwork. Especially impressed with the legs and curved, laminated edging. Only 60 hrs to complete? I would've guessed a lot more!
