Basement Layout: Getting Started

After slightly losing interest in this project for a couple of weeks, the other day I decided I'm tired of waiting around and need to get started soon or I never will. I've got the long weekend for labor day coming up plus the rest of the week off for vacation, so I'm hoping to at least get the benchwork put together so I can start fiddling around with the sectional track I already have. 

The other night I got a bit of a head start and cleared out the space in my basement where the layout is going to be. I have the entire open area of the basement to myself, but I didn't want to go overboard with my first layout, so this one does not take up a ton of space relative to the whole basement. The taped off area is exactly the size of the benchwork plans, so you can get an idea of how it will fill the center of that side of the basement.

Taping off the area where the layout will be.

I chose to put it in the orientation its in so I can have the control panel at the end closest to the camera. Also, this way when you walk up to the layout you'll be able to see both sides of the divider. Not sure if that's the best thing or not yet, but it seems like a good idea for now.

I've also been slowly buying packs of Atlas code 83 track from the local hobby shop. I know I will need at least a few packs to get me going and its nice to spread out the purchases so I'm not dropping over $100 on track all at once. I will likely need to buy a couple more packs as well as some flex track. 

Some of the packs of track I've been buying lately.

Now I just need to make the first of a few trips to Home Depot to pick up the lumber i need for the benchwork. I'm going with 1x4's for the perimeter and primary stringers. The smaller secondary stringers will be 1x3's. The legs are going to be L-shaped and formed with two 1x4's for each leg. Beyond that, I just need to figure out what type and thickness of plywood to go with as well as what thickness foam to put on top.