My previous layouts I have used hollow cor doors with blue foam glued on top. The track directly laid to the foam.0n this 1’x5’ layout the base is compressed particle board I’m thinking of painting the particle board top and edges to seal it then using caulk to apply the track directly to the board.would this be a good idea? What would the pros and cons be doing this way vs glueing foam to the toap of the board and the track glued to foam?
Thank you.
Using the foam base would allow you to model depressions, like ditches, creeks, culverts, etc, that would be below track level. It would also be easier to mount trees, fences, signs, etc.
I guess it would depend on what your going to model with a 1’ x 5’ layout.
Mike.
Partical board is a bad base, do you have it on a box at least?
Hi kh25
Call me old fashioned if you like but good quality plywood would be a better base, with a good frame and nice facia on it so you can hang your control pannel etc off it.
Still seal the board.
I think I would still put the foam on it as this would deaden the noise to a degree.
Also allow scenery to go below track hight, fences trees and any other feature that is a push into a hole is easier to anchor in foam than wood.
I think I would have cork or other road bed on top to get a nice ballast profile.
Not required if using one of the brands of track with moulded ballast on it.
Don’t forget to drill holes in the wood for wiring and poke a coresponding hole in the foam and insert a straw to make getting wire through the hole easy.
This may sound a bit over engineered for such a small layout but rather that than base board problems later and you won’t have any problems taking it with you if you move or go mad and decide to exibit at a train show.
regards John
“The earth ain’t flat.” – Eratosthenes
I agree with Mike. Foam allows you to make ditches and gullies.
Steve S
Here, here for foam! I use 2" foam on top of an L-girder setup with track on cork. That much foam is perfect for elevation. While getting the wires through is more of challenge than 1" foam, 2" gives you more latitude.
I like the L-girder arrangement since you can more easily alter things under the layout than with solid pieces of wood.