The first construction of the LK&O Railroad is the wall. Specifically, the peninsula support/backdrop wall. The layout decks will attach to this wall with shelving brackets eliminating the need for legs. The helices will also support the bench work above them.
My 1:1 blueprint was measured, marked, and cut for the wall. Then key points were marked on the floor. Stud centers directly below the floor joists, ending points of the curved plates, stud lengths, and centerline references to name a few. The cutouts from the blueprint were used as patterns for the upper and lower plates (and center plates of the curved wall) which were cut from 3/4″ treated plywood. Assembly of the walls was done flat on the floor and then stood up into position. I broke only one fluorescent bulb doing that! Galvanized nails were used on the bottom plates to prevent bimetallic corrosion, tapping screws through the top plate into the joists. Before being screwed into place shims were driven between the top plate and the floor joists until I could drive them no more. This was necessary because the wall is not anchored to the floor. I don’t want to punch nails into the concrete floor or glue to it in the event I want to change the layout sometime in the future or if we should ever sell the house. No anchoring needed however, the wall is so tightly pinched in place it will never move.
The large opening in the wall beneath Lapeer & Mettiki Mine accommodates the north helix. The top of the LDL is the upper deck height – 53″. The center plates on the curved wall are also roughly at top deck height.
Nothing special construction-wise. Kind of boring really. But it is finished and in place. The camera makes some studs appear to be out of plumb. Not the case. The wall is plumb and square.
Next project – the upper valence.
