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Model railroading benchwork can be constructed using different methods. Some methods are better than others. For small layouts plywood tables made from 3/4” plywood and supported by 2x2 or 2x4 legs are fine. Model railroading benchwork for larger layouts is constructed by using 1x4 pine boards
 screwed together to form a grid usually 16”x16" on center. This type of model railroading benchwork is also supported much the same way as the plywood table style. Then you add 1x3 diagonal braces for the legs as needed to hold the model railroading benchwork solid. Remember, in an earlier article, we discussed the ideal height for your model railroading benchwork as being 36” to 42” off the floor. Constructing this type of model railroading benchwork has some definite advantages over the table style. Free Ground Shipping on selected HOT items at HobbyTron.com For the larger railroads the vertical boards of the grid allow you to attach riser boards virtually anywhere you need them. These riser boards will support the sub-roadbed plywood that your track work will be mounted to. We will discuss sub-roadbed plywood a little later in this article. The riser boards can follow a gradual rise and fall to form your elevation changes in your track work. You can add riser boards to support buildings, scenery and many other items on your model railroading benchwork. Another type of model railroading benchwork utilizes the grid girder support system as the base. The sub-roadbed is constructed from thin strips of plywood, usually 1/4” that are curved into the turns and elevation changes of your layout and then glued together. The plywood strips are usually ripped 11/2” to 2” wide. These strips are glued together in the vertical position, adding more laminations until you attain the total width required for your roadbed at any given point. Model railroading benchwork that utilizes these laminated roadbed units are very strong. These roadbed units can be made as long as you want by just staggering the joints between each lamination. These sections can now be mounted to the grid girder supports using riser boards. As I stated a few sentences back, now we can take a look at the plywood sub-roadbed method. This method of model railroading benchwork utilizes 3/4" or 1/2” plywood for the sub-roadbed. This is great because now you can use up all those scraps of plywood that you’ve been saving. It doesn’t matter what size and shape they are. Lay the scraps on top of the grid girder base then map out your track plan, drawing each area on the plywood scraps and then cut the sections out using your saber saw. Keep in mind that plywood has more strength with the grain rather than across the grain. Fit the sections together, kind of like a puzzle, and then install riser boards underneath to achieve your desired height and angle. Using riser boards on model railroading benchwork, to mount everything to your grid girder base, enables you to unfasten
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This form of track sub-roadbed can span greater distances between the riser board supports, thus simplifying your model railroading benchwork. 
them, here and there as needed, to make adjustments in location, height and angle and then refasten them. This way your model railroading benchwork, sub-roadbed, will be flat and straight