The New Northern Central

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Recap of construction progress from this past weekend.

http://conrail1285.com/construction-of-the-new-ncr-has-begun/

[roofintrash]

Just a quick heads up on the shelf brackets in the left of your photo. The little booger welds that hold the diagonal brace on aren't worth a *****. I was working on wiring under my layout and stood up getting out and bumped the layout edge with my shoulder. Popped the brace right out of the bracket and down the front came. I love what you're doing and just wanted to give you something to look out for.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Just a quick heads up on the shelf brackets in the left of your photo. The little booger welds that hold the diagonal brace on aren't worth a *****. I was working on wiring under my layout and stood up getting out and bumped the layout edge with my shoulder. Popped the brace right out of the bracket and down the front came. I love what you're doing and just wanted to give you something to look out for.

Thanks for the heads up!

I'm on the fence about those brackets. On one hand, they're SUPER sturdy looking (in the downward direction). On the other hand, they're also heavier than the benchwork they'll be supporting.

[Dave V]

Just a quick heads up on the shelf brackets in the left of your photo. The little booger welds that hold the diagonal brace on aren't worth a *****. I was working on wiring under my layout and stood up getting out and bumped the layout edge with my shoulder. Popped the brace right out of the bracket and down the front came. I love what you're doing and just wanted to give you something to look out for.

Ugh...  I used the very same brackets on the RGS layout and for high storage shelving in my garage.  Now ya tell me!     So far so good though.

[nickelplate759]

Ugh...  I used the very same brackets on the RGS layout and for high storage shelving in my garage.  Now ya tell me!     So far so good though.

I've used them many times with no problems whatsoever.  Nice and sturdy for me, and no failing boogers or falling benchwork.  Maybe test them before installation in case you get a bad one?

[Wolf N Works]

Ed just a suggestion if you were to use pocket hole jig and make a complete frame it would give you more support up front. The Kreg jigs and kits are great. Use wood glue and pocket screws. Quick and easy. Just a thought since I see you are supporting on three sides

[MK]

Just a quick heads up on the shelf brackets in the left of your photo. The little booger welds that hold the diagonal brace on aren't worth a *****. I was working on wiring under my layout and stood up getting out and bumped the layout edge with my shoulder. Popped the brace right out of the bracket and down the front came. I love what you're doing and just wanted to give you something to look out for.

Thanks for the heads up!

I'm on the fence about those brackets. On one hand, they're SUPER sturdy looking (in the downward direction). On the other hand, they're also heavier than the benchwork they'll be supporting.

Ugh...  I used the very same brackets on the RGS layout and for high storage shelving in my garage.  Now ya tell me!     So far so good though.

I've used them many times with no problems whatsoever.  Nice and sturdy for me, and no failing boogers or falling benchwork.  Maybe test them before installation in case you get a bad one?

I'm sure there are a plethora of manufacturers for these brackets.  I've used them before to hold really heavy items like books, etc. and never had a problem.

Test them and check how the 45 degree support are attached/welded.

[chuck geiger]

tight

[wm3798]

Recap of construction progress from this past weekend.

http://conrail1285.com/construction-of-the-new-ncr-has-begun/

I'd paint the walls a nice flat pale blue or even gray for your winter ethos before you get much further along.  Then you just need a little 3-D relief of buildings and/or trees to establish a backdrop.  No worrying about fussy attachment of back boards.
If I remember correctly, the original Kidney was butted up to the wall of your apartment, in that doleful utility not quite white color, and it was pretty effective in your photography.

Paint the brackets the same color, and they'll pretty much disappear, or at worst, be readily photo shopped out when the need arises.  Lighter paint on the walls will also go along way toward bouncing light on your lower deck.

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'd paint the walls a nice flat pale blue or even gray for your winter ethos before you get much further along.  Then you just need a little 3-D relief of buildings and/or trees to establish a backdrop.  No worrying about fussy attachment of back boards.
If I remember correctly, the original Kidney was butted up to the wall of your apartment, in that doleful utility not quite white color, and it was pretty effective in your photography.

Paint the brackets the same color, and they'll pretty much disappear, or at worst, be readily photo shopped out when the need arises.  Lighter paint on the walls will also go along way toward bouncing light on your lower deck.

Lee

An interesting thought. In fact, I've thought about using the gray we used in our bathroom, but... I'm absolutely going with photo backdrops for pretty much the whole thing. I kinda like the darker gray "off scene" color.

[glakedylan]

i am enjoying my following along with each of your builds
it looks like this one is going to be quite interested
anxious to see how it all comes together
thanks for sharing


sincerely
Gary

[wm3798]

Photo backdrops can be nice, but I think they are used to best effect when the stuff at ground level,  trees and buildings and such, are cropped free of the printed sky, and mounted on narrow flats along the wall.  This gives you more flexibility in how you place things in the "back there" and eliminates the inevitable rolly scrolly oil canning that a paper print hanging on the wall inevitably creates.  Especially in close proximity to the under-deck lighting on the lower level.
That said, the photo backdrops you used on Windsor street looked remarkably good in your photos, but I remember them being a little wonky when temporarily or hastily installed when viewed in person.

Just a thought.
Lee

[DKS]

Just a quick heads up on the shelf brackets in the left of your photo. The little booger welds that hold the diagonal brace on aren't worth a *****. I was working on wiring under my layout and stood up getting out and bumped the layout edge with my shoulder. Popped the brace right out of the bracket and down the front came. I love what you're doing and just wanted to give you something to look out for.

I have used dozens of these brackets over the last dozen years or more. Never had one fail. And they're as strong as the framing they're attached to. So, I guess YMMV.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I have used dozens of these brackets over the last dozen years or more. Never had one fail. And they're as strong as the framing they're attached to. So, I guess YMMV.

I think he means that if you push them UP they might pop up. The weld holds them in that orientation while the forging (?) of the metal bar holds the regular load force.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Photo backdrops can be nice, but I think they are used to best effect when the stuff at ground level,  trees and buildings and such, are cropped free of the printed sky, and mounted on narrow flats along the wall.  This gives you more flexibility in how you place things in the "back there" and eliminates the inevitable rolly scrolly oil canning that a paper print hanging on the wall inevitably creates.  Especially in close proximity to the under-deck lighting on the lower level.
That said, the photo backdrops you used on Windsor street looked remarkably good in your photos, but I remember them being a little wonky when temporarily or hastily installed when viewed in person.

Just a thought.
Lee

Oh yeah, well, those were indeed hastily installed and made of glued together 8x11 sheets. I knew they were temporary so didn't want to drop the coin on having them professionally done.

In this case? I'm getting them professionally printed.

I mean, nothing beats Mike Confalone's work with them, and that's really what I'm going for.

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/15291