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One the quickest ways to give even a small layout a more finished appearance is to add a protective fascia around its perimeter. That’s exactly what David Popp did for Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak layout. In this video, you’ll see how he measured, cut, and installed the hardboard panels, so you can easily add this touch to your own layout.
I would have liked the fascia better if you had run the overlap on the corners the opposite way. This way the fascia would present one smooth surface when viewed from the front. I know just picking, but the little things make for one great project.
Love the job you guys are doing David. You are probably doing more for the future of the hobby than you can imagine. I absolutely love being able to see you work with something before I try it myself. The blue point switch controllers for example. Thanks again!
Great video David. This is what MR Video Plus is all about, lots of good information on layout building.
MR Video Plus is worth every penny of the subscription, the video's are regularly updated and the quality and subject of the video's is always well thought out and very well presented ! 🙂
Outstanding!!!, getting ready to my install my fascia on my layout, I prefer using Phillips screws with washers, looks very neat.
David, great info there……I always gather good information from any of the vids you guys make. what I think you guys convay in your videos is good solid basic concepts. No two people will do the same thing the same way, and thats good, but, you've got to have a starting point though, and I think that's what you guys furnish………Keep up the good work!
As always, good info well presented. I second the comment from Gus; our local Home Depot will cut 4×8 sheets into strips. Last time I had it done it was a no charge service. Glad to see you mention eye protection, but please consider pointing out hearing protection as well. A little hard to tell in the video, but it looks like you are using ear plugs, and that's good. Even small hand held power tools can be noisy enough to cause gradual hearing loss.
Really, phillips screws! Robertson Square head is the better type. Only in Canada! http://www.robertsonscrew.com/
I would counter sink and the screws to make them flush as well.
Always good videos and inspiration.
Thanks – since my layout is in an unheated building, I am planning to do mine in the late spring. Your tips will help a lot! I think the fascia will add a nicer appearance to the layout that I am constructing.
I noticed that you did not use finish washers with screws on the fascia. Was this by choice?
Fascia certainly finishes any layout. However, the finish carpenter in me cringed when I saw you chose to expose side panel edge to the front of the layout. Once painted it will be hardly visible. I guess I am so conditioned that It jumped out at me. I would have overlapped the side panel with the front panel the 3/16. Just to hide the cut edge from the primary viewing point.
Maurice. Cut on the side marked with the pencil(the rough side).Makes it a lot easier to follow the marks.;-}
David, I used this material for facia. However, I counter sink the screw holes, just slightly and use flathead screws that disappear when the facia is painted.
When cutting the hardboard for the fascia, does it matter if the smooth side or rough side is facing up?
Why wouldn't you use a Robertson screw vs the Phillips screw??
Ain't fascia fun David? That is why I prompted Cody to look at the history of fascia, fascinating element of MRR layouts that if done poorly, reflects poorly on the whole project. Your's looks great. Our home improvement center will cut 8' long slices from a 4X8 sheet of hardboard to any width (like 6" or 8") and fortunately they slide right up inside the SUV like a flyrod, no joints up to 96".
Your splice in the Red Oak front fascia upsets my need for symmetry. Why not cut both pieces to 40" so the splice is centered?
Great series David, building in N scale really does show how you can get a lot more layout in a smaller space and the locomotives and rolling stock are as good as HO now. I think many an HO modeller
get a pleasant surprise when they get a closer look at N scale as your new project build is clearly demonstrating. An N scale Texas themed layout in Model Railroad Planning 2015 also comes to mind on the switching from HO to N scale way of thinking, it is also another very good example of the realism that can be achieved in N scale these days ! 🙂
like it david i would like to see a tour of the layout thacks david nise video