I hope I can phrase this into an intelligent question… I am still batting around just how to build my first (as an adult) layout. The latest track plan I have is for an N scale 4X8 with a mainline running around the parameter with a “branch line” circling just inside that with 5 or 6 sidings coming off of the branch. I want to use a foam base and slice it along the the track and flex it into slight grades to simulate the rolling Ohio countryside. If my math is right I can get the elevations I want with only a 2% grade my concern is will the foam flex or will it shatter into pieces when I start pushing into the contour I want?
It has been almost 30 years since I worked with any foam, that was insulation in referigerated semi-trailers, very strong stuff but it did not like to bend.
Foam doesn’t really flex at all. Woodland Scenics makes a set of foam risers for just that purpose, though. Just lay the risers along the flat foam and cut the surrounding foam to match the landforms you want–cuts and fills, etcetera.
If your rises and dips are purely cosmetic, I’d lay a full sheet of foam and use sandpaper to gently undulate the track profile, MUCH less that 2% (less than 1% too). Carve and sculpt the foam around the track more to accentuate the fact that the terrain is rolling hillside.
At least, this is how I thought about modelling SE Ohio, while chasing the OC’s steam around for the past couple of years. The track did roll a bit, but the terrain rolled a whole lot more!
And foam does flex, you just have to be careful with it. My entire layout is a three times around shelf design, so the track is constantly changing grades. More to the point, I make my own roadbed out of 1.5" wide strips of 1/2" thick foam, and it works great. Working carefully, I can curve the strips down to about 22"-24" curves without breaking.
I am planning on a cookie cutter N Scale layout that has a pretty good grade. It even requires “splints” between some of the sections to make the top continuous. Do you think I could use Foam Board? It should sure be a lot lighter, but I wan’t sure it would hold up. I would much rather use the foam, but the plan calls for 1/2 in plywood. Also what about attaching the risers? Could I glue them on or something?
Thanks for the feedback, I will check into the Woodland Scenics risers. I had a feeling that even pushing the foam a few inches out of level was going to be to much.
I still might try to cut out the parimiter of some ot the sidings and just bump them up or down a fraction of an inch the worst that can happen is I have to glue a section back in. I will definatly use risers for where I need a real elivation change.
Excuse me, but I have a differing opinion. I am building a 3’ x 6’-8" N scale layout on a hollow core wood door (could you guess from the dimensions?) and have successfully done the basic layout with 3/4" foam in a cookie cutter method. It flexed just fine and gave me a nice transition into my grades.
I used cut pieces of the same foam as riser supports. I used Liquid Nails for Projects as my glue for foam to wood door, and foam riser support to foam sheet.
Here’s a couple of older shots that show the cookie cutter risers:
Ed, that’s a great looking layout! I pieced my 3 by 6 N scale together in a little bit different way, but either method works. You can see mine on railserve.com’s model layouts page. It’s called Pennsylvania N scale. N scale is awesome. Heck, all the sizes are!
Okay, that’s good to know…my main experience is with expanded foam, since they don’t let us have the blue stuff in California anymore, and expanded foam doesn’t flex.
If there is, I can’t find it–I have tried Lowe’s, Home Depot and OSH and they all look at me like I told them I was from Venus when I ask for pink or blue foam. They point me at the extruded foam if I’m lucky, or the fiberglass batts or cellulose insulation if I’m not.
I tried a specialty roofing/insulation place and the closest thing they had was this tan stuff that was way too crumbly to be suitable.
You might try going to the OwensCorning website and trying to find a retailer through them. They have a place on the website where you can enter the product you are looking for and your zipcode and get some ideas. If that turns up nothing they also have a place to look for OwensCorning certified contractors and energy specialists who might also be able to give you a lead on where to find this product. I suppose Dow Chemical probably has something similar on their website (although I didn’t check that specifically). OwensCorning makes the pink foam (think Pink Panther) and Dow makes the blue. Same stuff, afaik.
Or you could get their 800 customer service number from their website and call them and ask.
Really?? Why? If they have really outlawed the blue stuff then they’ve probably nixed the pink too. Time for a border run to a neighboring state.
I went to the Owens Corning Website and it gave me a couple dozen Home Depots within 50 miles. I think I’ve been to all of them. Despite the fact that the O-C website says that they carry the Pink Foam, THEY DO NOT. It’s really frustrating. I certainly am willing to believe that the stuff is no longer legal in California!
However, with all the searching, I’ve found that they all seem to carry EPS or “Expanded Polystyrene” instead. The brand name is “Insulfoam”. I’ve researched it on the Web and it is manufactured differently from XEPS (“Extruded Polystyrene” which is the Pink or Blue stuff). The Insulform is clearly made from pellets which have been processed into sheets.
Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? It seems it’s the only choice for us Californians!
This Insulfoam is all I could get at my local HD in New Jersey also. It’s made by Dow (I think). Has a blue cove on one side and silver on the other. I’m new to this so this question might be real dumb, do I remove the blue and silver covers? This stuff looks like what they are using in the Worlds Greatest Hobby DVD and they did not remove the outer layer.
InsulFoam is a completely different product. I’m not familiar with it, bu it defnitely is NOT the same thing as the blue extuded foam. I am very suprised you can’t get blue or pink extruded foam in NJ, as all the various stores around here in Eastern PA have it - Home Depot seems to only have Owens-Corning pink, no Dow in sight, but that IS the same stuff.
When you say it is the same stuff, do you mean the InsulFoam is the same thing they use in the Worlds Greatest Hobby DVD? Should I peel off the covers?
What part of NJ? I can easily get the pink stuff at HD in northern NJ in 2’x8’ pieces. Also the local building supply place (Dykes Lumber) can get 4x8 sheet sized pink foam.
I used sheets of 2", 1" and 1/2" insulation board, cut with a hot wire and created blocks roughly 3" squares, cut my grades and stacked the blocks, glued in place with low temp hot glue. This is quite rudimentary but very effective and simple. I then made a cookie cutter deck with 1/2" foam, I had no problem getting it to flex, I even created a concrete dam for a resevoir.
For a hard shell, I used cheesecloth and drywall plaster, mixed it to my own desired consistancy. For any rough spots or uneaven elevation changes, add extra plaster and then sand smooth. Most the supplies are available at Home Depot and Lowes, and your local fabric store for the cheesecloth.
Jetrock, I too live in Sacramento area (FOLSOM) and have looked everywhere for the blue, pink, foam. All I can find is 1/2 stuff that is yellow, and it does look too crumbly to use, it has a cover to hold it together, just like the insulfoam (pressed beads) stuff with the blue plastic covers. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO GET THIS STUFF IN CALIFORNIA PARTICULARLY IN SACRAMENTO AREA. HELP!
