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How to Build an N Scale Display Case

There's nothing more attractive than a high-quality display case mounted in an office or rec room, especially if it is filled with your favorite N scale trains. Putting one of these together can be a challenge but it's not impossible. Just take your time and use the right tools and materials.

Things You'll Need

2" x 1/2" Strips of high-quality wood, such as oak or maple, at least 1/2" thick
2 1/2" x 1/2" Strips of high-quality wood, such as oak or maple, at least 1/2" thick
Wood screws
Clear sheet of quarter-inch Plexiglas
Sheet of wood veneer for backing, the same size as the cabinet dimensions
Stain or varnish, if desired
N scale flextrack
Hammer
Brads
Sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the wood strips to the length of the trains that you wish to display. Make sure that each strip is the exact same length. Apply stain or varnish to the strips at this point, if desired, and allow to dry. Use the wider strips for the bottom and sides. Cut a groove in each of the wider pieces a quarter-inch from the edge. The groove must be the width of the Plexiglas.
- 2
  Cut the end pieces for the cabinet and stain them as well. Sand the ends of each piece of wood until smooth. Glue strips of the flextrack onto each horizontal piece for the trains to rest on.
- 3
  Screw the horizontal pieces into the sides, leaving at least a three inch clearance between strips. Attach all of the pieces together in this fashion until the frame is complete. The pieces should all be spaced evenly. Make sure that the grooves in the wider pieces run around the sides and bottom of the front and match at each joint.
- 4
  Nail the wood veneer to the back of the case. Make sure that the joints on the frame are exactly square before doing so. Drive nails into each horizontal piece and not just the edge pieces for additional stability.
- 5
  Mount your cabinet on the wall using picture mounts. You may want to consider bolting a small lip of wood into the wall underneath the cabinet for additional support. Place your trains into the cabinet the way you want them and then slide the piece of Plexiglas down into the grooves in the front from the top.

Model Railroads