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How to Make a G-Scale Track From a Board

Relive your childhood train fantasies with a G-scale track laid out on board. G-scale model railroads are approximately 1:22.5 inches in scale, and they are often used outside because of their larger size. However, if you want to fabricate a benchwork, or layout structure, for this kind of train, 1/2-inch thick plywood board can easily serve as a simple base. This project is well-suited for beginning woodcrafters who want to spend more time playing with their model railroads than constructing an elaborate benchwork.

Things You'll Need

G-scale model trains with track
Graph paper
Pencil
2 old wood dining room tables of the same height
2 1/2-inch 4-by-8-foot plywood
12 1-inch screws

Instructions

- 1
  Arrange your model trains on a large flat surface to decide on the configuration of your benchwork. Consider how much space you want for scenery, track layout and if you need an access area. Sketch out the plans on graph paper using a pencil. Graph paper allows you to scale up the drawing precisely using its grid.
- 2
  Count the number of squares on your drawing layout and calculate the scale. For example, if your drawing is 10-by-20 squares on grid paper and each square represents 6 inches, then the layout is 5-by-10-feet in true scale.
- 3
  Squeeze wood glue onto tabletop of an old wood dining room table. This kind of table can be repurposed into a simple benchwork, and its height is well-suited as a train table. Center a piece of 1/2-inch 4-by-8-foot plywood onto the table with glue. Add glue to the other dining room table, and press the other piece of plywood centrally onto the table.
- 4
  Screw six 1-inch screws into one of the plywood pieces on top of the dining room table using a screw-gun. Place them evenly spaced in two rows in the center of the board. Repeat with the other dining room table with plywood on top.
- 5
  Arrange the two tables side-by-side so the two pieces of plywood board are aligned. Set your G-scale model trains on the board using your original drawing as a guide.

Model Railroads