Building A Model Train Layout Table!!

[@TheCreativeMind]

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.

[@RBPTrains]

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!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

When I'm in the hardware store after I get the article I came in for I always walk around looking for something I didn't know I needed!

[@MarkWick]

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.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

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?

[@ogaugesantafeandbnsf1157]

This hobby makes us amateur woodworkers, electricians and quasi contractors. Sometimes the best part is the actual build. Have a great weekend my friend

[@RBPTrains]

Agree! The build was my favorite part.

[@kylewalker2160]

Beautiful craftsmanship, very interesting to see how a professional builds the table structure. Thank you Lawrence for sharing your expertise with this community.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

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!

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Wayne! He went over-the-top with this project but I am not complaining, haha!

[@tomrogers5516]

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!

[@Johnnyhaotrains]

Just a question are you coming to the Lancaster show on Saturday

[@jsgtrains3176]

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

[@davidhellmig4150]

Thanks for sharing. Lawrence definitely is a craftsman.

[@alfrednawrocki8061]

Your friend Lawrence is a genuine craftsman!!! Outstanding job ! He's 60.00 pr hour guy for sure.

[@j-cam5975]

What a job . Fantastic ..I remember laying some plywood on horses as a kid . Those structures must be heavy .

[@Archk1]

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 KZbin is all about!

[@JohnJohnson-wt8zc]

Lawrence definitely did a professional job building the bench work for your layout! Very nice!

[@StevesTrains]

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.

[@CRP7609]

Hey I am new to the hobby what should I get for a good starter set I have gotten the Pennsylvania flyer set but what should I get next?

[@RBPTrains]

So many options ahead of you! Since your Flyer set came with O36 track, I would look for an engine that can handle those curves or start by expanding your track plan. Enjoy!

[@CRP7609]

@@RBPTrains thanks!

[@turdferguson4124]

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 :-(

[@CWFTrains]

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.

[@davidbradley6127]

Love the way the legs were made! They look so solid. Definitely going to use that method for my layout.

[@BB63]

Looks great, very nice bench work. Something to be proud of.

[@TeslaFSDBetaVideos]

Great explanation of your benchwork! How much did it cost for the different parts of the process?

[@RBPTrains]

I do not remember how much the plywood sheets were at the time. Since prices have increased over these past 2 years, I am glad I built it when I did!

[@joelappold1945]

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!

[@tomschlitter1594]

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.

[@brucegibbs2118]

Nice job

[@TheNorthwestWind]

this is awesome bro

[@nsrailfan0677]

WOW, ive been watching your channel for a few months Chris and have wondered exactly how long it took for the table to be built for that amazing layout, i now know and holy cow i thought building a small 4x8 for my layout would take awhile!!!!! great video!

[@louruntz9754]

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 👍

[@trainzmania2022ricardo]

What's the song you use for your Intro?

[@BenWayne85]

Thanks for sharing bro! Incredible detail and wood working skills!

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Ben!

[@tony791999]

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 :)

[@RBPTrains]

I still can not believe he finished it within 60 hours. He was committed, haha! Thank you for watching!

[@jamessawyer4625]

Chris this was the best video ever. Great job as well as great layout. Thanks for the information on how you built your bench/s A+++++

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you James!

[@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering]

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!

[@gregoryrunningelk865]

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!

[@NorthernBandit1]

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!

[@BookshelfQBattler]

I really dont think I could ever do this. Do they have train table builders who will build one for you?

[@railchief74]

Just talking about Lawrence in your video made me almost though that he was related to Lawrence Cowen

[@sinistregoth]

Ive been wondering how big this is... 27' x 12' 😮 That's bigger than my entire bloody house! 🤣

[@dw9096]

Incredible design and execution work!! How often (feet) did you apply terminal power sections. I’m have just finished my table construction and will have about 150’ of track. I’m playing with track layout design ideas that vary from my original design once I saw the final table top design. It’s about 10’ x 12’

[@PUPWATCHRAILWAYS]

WOOF! WOOF! Pawsome 🐾 🐾 🚂 That going to 👀 Amazing! Can wait to see final project I am at karaoke night Gay Pride 🏳️‍🌈 watch when I Get Home.

[@callmebigpapa]

Lawrence is a true craftsman!!!

[@alimaleki217]

As a hobbyist woodworker, one of the first things I noticed about your layout is how well the tables appear to have been built! Are you using O-72 curves or something bigger?

[@Non_Of_U_business]

Hey Chris, just subbed. Great video on your beautiful layout! Lawrence did such great work! Those legs again Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to explain all the details. I have been collecting O and HO since I was 6yrs old! I am now 57 yrs and still have the same feelings about trains as I did back then! ...Can you please indicate on another video if you installed any sound deadeners for your Lionel fastrack? I use MTH realtrax because I cant deal with the loud sounds of fastrack? Thanks again for showing us this wonderful project! Cheers!

[@janemarkham4133]

A jOB WELL DONE BROTHERMAN!!AAAAAAAAAAAA😊😊😛👍👍👍👍

[@leterguyschroeder4919]

Great video. I am not a carpenter, and love to see what masters can do with wood. Thanks for the great video.

[@dennisrosenthal1753]

Beautiful, elaborate layout. I always wonder how expensive a layout like this would cost, in general terms, not trying to pry.

[@TUSKERFLUFF21]

I don't know what year this is so I thought I'd ask you I found a Lionel 6-11900 Santa Fe. Steam engine It's a complete set

[@seddy69]

Jim Careys brother? Love this video - my tables are dreadful cf. your beauts (Marklin HO nut here in New Zealand)

[@genemanno1533]

Carpenter did some furniture quality building on those tables. Not many people are willing to sacrifice a room with a fireplace to use as a train room. I like trains too but covering beautiful fire place up useless…..not gonna happen. Your house to do as you like.

[@JB-ej2qy]

I always thought the best train layout would be in a train depot. I was thinking about building a large shed like depot. I’m thinking 12x24 and design it to look like a depot.

[@victordandrea8697]

Chris hello Victor from New Jersey thank you for your comment very nice your family is exceptionally nice you must be a heck of a father you have one beautiful family. Second I'm watching the construction of your layout I'm a carpenter for 40 years wood is what I do I could build anything from a dog house to a high rise furniture to a picture table you found an exceptional Carpenter the quality of your layout and bench work above and beyond that's one good friend who did it right he did it well and he did it nice I can't say enough about him. I'm currently building my layout one table at a time HO scale I had to downsize , hopefully in my lifetime I will get back to O gauge. I definitely want to meet you guys at York if you could tell me the date or dates that you and the boys will be there and an address I will get there I've been speaking to all of you guys it's time you saw my ugly mug once again thank you for your time your effort and tell your buddy he's an exceptional Carpenter

[@nicholastricarico185]

Would prefer different level track heights not just bridges, too busy too.

[@TrainMedia00]

My layout is going to look something like yours but different and a little bigger. But hey that's some good wood and project work on your layout

[@RevengeOfTheApocalypse]

Is he for hire lol

[@LittlePwnageMusicFan]

As an autistic hobbyist, I prefer to build a layout the Woodland Scenics Subterrain way. At least the benchwork looks pretty good. :)

[@TheMarkaorso]

I have more time to express how happy and honor to see your KZbin 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

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Mark! Hope to catch you at a train show one of these days

[@michaelsassard5396]

What do you do for a living ? You are so talented. You are a GEEK. I can tell when you make a video without the sound up

[@garycole-pg2vp]

Nice layout wish I could get plans to make one. I plan on building a layout as soon as I move to my new house.

[@MOUNTAINMANH]

Incredible woodwork! Thanks Chris.

[@jacobrobinson6603]

Building and constructing things is one of my specialties but not benchwork

[@charcoal5091]

How much did all that wood cost you ?

[@RBPTrains]

I do not remember the cost but I believe plywood prices have gone up so I am glad that I built it a few years ago!

[@brianbringmann1406]

Love the layout. Need to hire you to do mine. Trying to design one. Got a space 25 ft x 17 ft.

[@normstrains]

Good stuff! What happened with that half stack??

[@RBPTrains]

Half stack lives at my brother's house these days. He took over the jam room duties after I built the train layout, haha! He is the guitar player anyway. I used to play drums back before kids

[@jimdavis3913]

Very nice job .looks great .very good craftsman.would like to see video on wiring and landscaping.enjoy your videos.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Jim! Here is a link to the video I did on the layout wiring: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGfPkKCYocp2qLc

[@KennethMixson]

Very nice! You owe Lawrence a steak dinner for that. He is a professional and it shows.

[@file1man]

Its a huge advatage laying your track out on your cellar floor before building the benchwork. Letting the curves of the track deciding things. The table fits the track, not the alternative of forcing the track to fit the table. It took 3 months for me to build my 18 ft by 24 ft revised rectangular trainboard but more than 3 years to force the track to fit the trainboard. What or who encouaged you the lay it out and actually run it on the floor first? Did seeing your dad's trainboard plant the idea?

[@RBPTrains]

Not sure if anything encouraged me to lay out the track on the floor first. It mainly happened so I could run trains in my basement until I built a table. Luckily it afforded me the chance to move the track around until I got it setup the way I wanted. Thanks for watching!

[@BattleshipBoy129-jk2zt]

You should build a draw bridge, so that you don’t drop your engines like the big boy and go through.

[@waltercarpenito1737]

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

[@dennissmith1032]

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

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you Dennis!

[@robertwalsh9349]

had a question what size train said would you really wanted to build an HHO or the serial gauge that you got here just kind of wondering and what do you think about the n scale

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Looks extremely well built! Great job!

[@williamschlenger1518]

I'm going ask an important question,how much did this cost?

[@waynecasey6375]

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!

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you Wayne!

[@richardpollock1037]

It is a very nice table no doubt and quality, but it is also completely over engineered.

[@dylanwhite3383]

i do believe that if i were to ever become rich in the future then my new home that i would like to build will have a purpose built basement for building layouts for trains and even a city

[@ralphmiller2265]

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.

[@RBPTrains]

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!

[@DavidMartin-fq4gs]

Great & very informative video mate! Amazing!

[@chrishuebner2547]

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!!

[@RBPTrains]

You bet! I did not invest in track design software until after I had laid out the track. Good old trial and error

[@geedub8428]

Do you ever worry about derailments with your track so close to the edge.

[@dkservice424]

I think that table is probably worth $15,000 lol. It is a work of art

[@jbedrosi]

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.

[@jbedrosi]

what are the minimum radii of your main line curves?

[@bradorner3320]

Great video, Chris! You produce the best videos of all!! The woodwork is fantastic, I love when things are done right!! You are an inspiration!

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you Brad! Your support is an inspiration for me!

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Saw a Marshall stack.....do you play guitar 🎸

[@barry3573]

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.

[@RBPTrains]

Sounds like you have a fun project ahead of you Barry!

[@mr.biggs0907]

How are you all doing?

[@F40M07]

Good, hbu?

[@mr.biggs0907]

excited to watch!

[@jims6323]

It must be nice to have that much money to spend on hobbies!

[@edwarddurkin8551]

What happened to the Strat and the Marshall??😀

[@alexigaming631]

hey can you give me a photo w the layout project paper i want to do it too

[@geedub8428]

How big is the room that the table is setup in?

[@Redstagwsmnp]

Maybe to big for my first attempt lol

[@Jaxon_durbidge]

The tc4 in the background

[@baldypalmsrailroad]

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.. 🚂😊👍

[@nscalefun]

AWESOME!!! Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.

[@slepey_]

where did all those amps go?

[@coverdalemineoscalemodelrr7074]

That’s some awesome bench work your friend does nice work awesome layout 👍😎

[@appleorangeline]

Little train layout... some assembly required. Really informative video, thanks Chris!

[@dagryffynhobby]

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!

[@nachtjager77]

Why not just use 4x4s for the legs?

[@franciscorodriguezsalmoral8416]

Hacer el pedido de tren de cajas de tren

[@frankbullitt4556]

very sharp layout

[@swiv99]

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.