Building L-Girder Benchwork for Model Railroads

When building benchwork for model railroads, the first thing you have to plan and think through is the type of scene you want to construct. Depending on the size, shape and placement of your scene in a room, the benchwork you choose might vary. There are positives and negatives to each type of benchwork for model railroads in every scenario, so you should factor in the circumstances of your project before deciding on a style of frame.

One type of benchwork for model railroads you might utilize for your next scene is the l-girder. Because of its flexibility, the l-girder style of benchwork for model railroads can be perfect for a range of layouts and designs. L-girders are typically built from MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or plywood, both of which you can buy at any building supply store or lumberyard, where sheets can be ripped to your required specifications. You can also rip your own girders by using a Skil saw at home, as long as you know how to properly operate the appropriate tools. In this video, we walk you through the entire process for constructing l-girder benchwork for model railroads, using techniques that can be applied to create benchwork of any size, shape and room accommodation.

Building l-girder benchwork for model railroads

To help you construct versatile l-girders for your next model railroad scene, NMRA master model railroader Gerry Leone demonstrates the step-by-step procedure for laying out and building sturdy l-girder benchwork for model railroads. After explaining the benefits of using l-girders and discussing what makes these types of frames so versatile, he teaches you each of the techniques you’ll need to build your own l-girders, legwork and risers to fit the requirements for your specific scene design.

Gerry begins by introducing all of the materials, tools and steps necessary to complete l-girder benchwork for model railroads, from start to finish. Then he shows you how it’s done. As he goes, Gerry talks about what makes l-girder benchwork so pliable and adjustable, which suits it for a variety of layouts and scene types. With l-girder benchwork for model railroads, you get to decide how and where you want your frame to stand!