Benchwork Construction

Buffalo Creek & Western HO scale layout benchwork construction officially started.

First, I began benchwork construction after tearing down my previous Southern Pacific Burbank Branch N scale switching layout. I purchased the necessary lumber and made sure I had plenty of screws in various sizes.

Then, after a bit of planning, I started cutting, gluing, and screwing the parts together.

Here, the first major milestone becomes visible. I already anchored L shaped brackets to the walls and added an open frame to support the foam subroadbed.

Afterwards, I screwed the backdrop panels into place. I used 3 mm Faesite panels for the backdrop and filled the joints with spackle compound. Now, everything is ready to be sanded and then painted a light blue sky color.

With the basic benchwork now complete, the new BC&W layout is finally starting to take shape. The room already feels very different, and for the first time I can clearly visualize how the finished railroad will look. Next, I will sand the backdrop joints and apply a light blue sky color to create a clean foundation for future scenery work.

Afterwards, I can focus on installing the foam subroadbed and begin laying out the track plan directly on the benchwork. That will be an exciting step because it will transform the project from a collection of wooden structures into an actual model railroad.

Then, once the first sections of track are in place, I will be able to test operations and make adjustments before moving on to scenery. Meanwhile, I will place a few structures in their approximate locations on the unfinished scenes, which helps me visualize the future look of the BC&W and verify that everything fit comfortably within the available space.

So far, the construction process has gone smoothly, and I am pleased with the progress. Although there is still a great deal of work ahead, reaching this milestone feels rewarding. Finally, the Buffalo Creek & Western has moved beyond the planning stage and into physical reality.