Customer Reviews

How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork, Second Edition (Model Railroader)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book covers the different types of benchwork, and is very helpful. Lots of pictures and illustrations, as well as charts listing how much overhang and length certain lumber can handle. The only thing it doesn't cover, other than a very brief mention on the last page, is the new foam-board based benchwork. Otherwise, the book covers everything from benchwork to roadbed to handling special situations.

This book covers everything you need to know about building large scale model railroad benchwork. If you're looking for information on building a basic 4' X 8' bench, there are about 3 pages of information that cover this. If you never plan to get much bigger than 4' X 8', this rest if the information in this book is interesting, however, you may be better served, initially, by a different book.

I thought that this book was really good, as far as building permanent benchwork. But it did not go into the makings of modular benchwork. That was a disappointment. But overall I gave it 5 stars as it had alot of helpful information

I have to assume this, I was a complete newbie to lumberwork before reading this book, and while I'm still very far to be a master in this particular art in model railroading, I can say this book helped me a lot on the subject. There may be some flaws on advanced subjects as noted on other reviews, such as modular layouts or foam based strategies (which I recently used on a N scale time-saver), but the goal attained on techniques to use on lumber and traditional layouts makes this book a worthy purchase for begginer and intermediate modellers, as it both introduces basic techniques and develops them on more advanced subjects throught the book.

This book gave me some great ideas on building benchwork, with clear illustrations. It also covers topics such as selecting roadbed, building materials, etc. A must have!

Dont be put off if like myself, your from the UK and this is an American book about railroad benchwork. All applys no matter where or what you model. It has all you ever wanted to know about building a very good base for a model railway. Ive seen some books on the subject over the years but this is the best ive seen and has proven to be a very valuable tool in my 'new build'. It will show a few tricks to even the more experianced builders. Good step by step instructions and many pictures and diagrams.
Get it, you'l wonder how you got by without it.

I also have the First edition of this book and the updates are worth the purchase. Any and all of your questions about how to build quality benchwork for your model railroad will be answered with this book. Linn Westcott revolutionized the model railroading world when he came out with the L-Girder benchwork design. Since 1992 I have built two medium-sized layouts using variations of 1" X 4" and 1" X 3" L-Girders and this is solid construction. I also use the technique for building wall bracket benchwork. You can't go wrong with this book.

For building benchwork, this is the best book out there. Benchwork is not fun or glamorous but it is the foundation of all that will follow. It does not pay to skimp on it. This book shows how to build it effectively and cheaply.

Several different approaches are examined. These include primarily the L-girder style and the butt joint style but others are touched upon as well. What this book has that similar ones lack is in depth information on sub roadbeds, splines and helices.

It's the best out there.

Great book to build layouts of all sorts. If just starting to build a layout, start with the 1st edition or something similar first. This book is an advanced version. Still, the plans or ideas will definitly give you insight for any upcoming or future product.

A must for any serious model railroader who wants to learn skills from those who have "been there" and "done that".