Easy Wall Brackets for Strong Shelf-Style Benchwork

On By In Model Railroading

The first step in creating your dream HO scale model railroad is building strong benchwork. Solid wall brackets are the key to strength and safety for a shelf-style train layout.

The Benefits of a Shelf-Style Train Layout

  1. You have easy access to the layout.
  2. Front legs are not required.
  3. Storage space is created under the layout.
  4. Wiring under the layout is easier.

Gussets are the Key to Strong Wall Brackets

Plywood gusset, 13" back leg of the right triangle.
The back leg of the gusset is 13″ long and will be flush with the back of the leg of the wall bracket.
Plywood gusset with a right triangle with 8" base leg.
Gussets are the most important part of a strong shelf-style wall bracket.
Plywood gusset from 1/4" plywood hypotenuse.
The brace of the wall bracket will run flush with the hypotenuse of the gusset.

Gussets on my layout are 1/4 inch plywood. These important, yet simple pieces connect the wall bracket brace to the leg. For each unit, a gusset of the same size is fastened to both sides of the brace and leg.

Layout Height Determines Leg Length

Ruler showing bracket leg is 40 1/4" tall.
The length of the wall bracket leg is determined by the chosen height of the layout table.
Photo shows wall bracket girder and support attached to the wall.
The layout table top is above the wall leg.
Wall bracket, cement block wall, brace, gusset, leg
The wall bracket is fastened to the wall and supports the layout table top.

My HO scale layout is 43 inches high, from roadbed to floor. Legs are 40 1/4 inches high. Brackets are 30 inches long.

Tape measure showing length of wall bracket to be 30" long.
The brace length is determined by the desired depth of the shelf-style table top.
Wall bracket, cement block wall, brace, gusset, leg
The wall bracket is fastened to the wall and supports the layout table top.
Full view of gusset, upside down with base leg horizontal.
The gusset is turned upside down so the base is horizontal. The hypotenuse of the right triangle is flush with the brace bottom.

Girder Length Determines Brace Angle

Girders are the final piece of a strong wall bracket. The layout table top material is fastened to the girders. My wall brackets from an earlier layout are in use for a second time. The original 1 x 3 inch girders were only 17 inches long. That layout was 20 inches deep, so a longer support was unnecessary.

Measurement of wall bracket girder.
These wall brackets originally had 17 inch girders. Extensions were added to a full measurement of 31 inches.
Under layout, benchwork, plywood, 1x1 support piece, wires.
The base table top of the layout is 3/8″ plywood. To prevent any possible sagging, additional support of 1×1 pieces were added.
Benchwork under layout, wall bracket, girders, cement block wall, wires
To support the large ends of the layout, wall brackets were fastened to the end walls, perpendicular to the rest of the wall brackets.

Support for this larger layout required extending the girders. I added 1 x 4 inch pine strips, 31 inches long, to each side of the wall brackets. The large girders give more space for attaching 3/8 inch plywood table top.

Added Support for the Layout

Ruler, wall bracket fastened to cement block wall.
The ruler shows the wall brackets are spaced at 33″ on center from each other.
Wall bracket, plywood table top, girders, wires
Only one wall bracket was used on the end of the layout. It is two inches away from the edge of the table top. Girders from the last wall bracket are attached to the perpendicular wall bracket.
Electrical outlets, plugs, lumber, foam
When the layout benchwork was complete, AC power access was fastened to the fascia.

The layout is 21 feet long and 4 feet 8 inches deep on the ends. I added a wall bracket to the end walls, perpendicular to the other brackets. The wall brackets are spaced 33 inches on center. I added 1 x 1 inch supports to the cement wall between the brackets.

Final Touches

Supplying power to a layout of any size is important. I fastened 1 x 4 inch pine fascia to the ends of the girders. I then added electrical outlets to the fascia for easy access. I connected AC power so the layout is disconnected from electricity when the light switch is turned off.

Follow these steps to build strong wall brackets for your shelf-style layout. Whether your model railroad is large or small, strong wall brackets are necessary.

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