Benchwork
Every layout needs to have a stable base. I was fortunate to
buy the book "How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork".
This guide to benchwork and layout construction saved countless
hours at the local Home Depot and Lowes, when I was in the
process of buying lumber for the layouts base. I was able to
construct the girder framework in a very short time, after the
initial frames were made. Jigs to based on the first pieces were
fabricated and reduced the time of construction considerably.