Let the construction begin!

Build time has finally arrived

After receiving the timber required to begin construction of the layout earlier in the week, it was time to begin the build of the new layout.

As the date for the timber arrival was all but guaranteed, I made contact with the local crew and asked for some assistance for the day on Sunday. Fortunately Rod Warren, John Colliver, Greg Johnstone and John Fahey all answered the call. So a time was set and things made ready.

Here is a picture of the trailer with 420 lineal meters of 70x19 pine and also 10 sheets to 2400 x 1200 x 12mm C/D ply for the road bed.


As the timber arrived on Wednesday and the plan build start was set for Sunday, I had 2 part and 1 full work day that I could not let slide.. So I made a start on the structure along the top and bottom walls with the help of my son Sam who was eager to help out.

By the end of Saturday Sam and I had completed the sub structure below the North Creek / Corinth Branch line and also the long narrow run from Whitehall to Willsboro.

Come Sunday morning, Rod, John C and Greg arrived at around 9am (unfortunately John F is unwell and was not able to attend).

Upon marvelling at the plan laid out on the floor and discussion re the construction methods needed to make stable and strong peninsula's, it was all hands to the tools and work started with great pace.

After a quick run down to Bunnings for some extra 70x35 timber for the centre of the walls, things were all happening. Rod and Greg got going on the centre walls for the peninsula's and John and I continued on with making L girders for the left and right walls.

Then once Rod and Greg had installed enough wall studs John and I followed them along with the cross braces and L girder's for the centre peninsula.

By the end of the day, we completed a heap of work and made great progress.

As you look at the pictures, you may notice that the wall studs are not all in a straight line.. Don't worry about that, it is all part of the plan..

Don't forget we have master craftsmen at work and probably around 20 to 30 layouts built between us.. In this case, you cant have too many chiefs..

Thanks for Greg, Rod, and John for coming to help. It is most appreciated.

After the guys had left for the day (and their 60 to 90 min trip back to the other side of Melbourne) I continued on some work to build supports for some sections of the cross members.

You may notice that I have used 42mm x 19mm cross members in this section. The main reason is to get down to the right level for staging and allow enough space for the gap between staging and the main deck of 300mm. The rest of the layout (where there is no staging) the cross members are 70mm x 19mm. Hence the extra support needed for the cross members in this location and the return loop that will sit on top of it.

Well, that's the end of build day 1 on the D&H.

Stay tuned for more updates.as I process through the build.. Hopefully in a few weeks time I can start laying track on the lower / staging level..

Thanks.