The Kayton Short Line - 4
Benchwork and roadbed
What you spend really depends on where you want to locate
the layout. My layout was built on pre-existing benchwork for
an 4x8 N scale layout that never happened. If I were starting
from scratch I would bolt brackets directly to the walls and thus
I have allowed for six good heavy-duty brackets. Some addi-
tional framing timber may help to secure the plywood base.
For the track base I have used one inch (25mm) expanded poly-
styrene foam. Thicker boards would give more depth for scen-
ery but would also be more expensive. On the whole I feel that
one inch is fine for scenery on a switching layout.
3. Cutting guide and sheet use.
3
Table Two – Benchwork
Item
No Source
Cost
Full sheet, 12mm Plywood
(1/2 inch)
(cut into four ¼ sheets –
you’ll have one spare)
1
Mitre 10 Hard-
ware
$39.89 (NZD)
25mm (1 inch) polysty-
rene sheet (Cut into four ¼
sheets)
1
Bunnings Ware-
house
$20.48 (NZD)
Wall Brackets - $9.82 ea
6
Mitre 10
$58.92 (NZD)
Total
$119.29 (NZD)
Track
I use Peco switches because they are easily available locally
and their spring system means ground throws or other mech-
anisms are not required. I have purchased a lot of these used
from online auctions, but it does mean waiting until they
come up at the price point around $10 each that I am comfy
with. Brand new these are around $20 to $25 NZD each,
depending on discounts. Given the crucial nature of good
switches to smooth operation I would build any new layout
using only brand new switches and have priced them in here
from a US source.
All other track is flex track totalling a little over 26 feet. If you
wanted you could substitute set track which would make some
of the construction easier for novices. I used nine lengths of
flex which allows a mere 12 inches to spare. One extra length
may help but I’m keeping costs down. To be honest, it is prob-
ably easier to buy this new rather than buy peoples’ cast-offs
from online auctions. I have priced new track from a U.S.
MRH-Aug 2014
