Due to certain needs (space, storage, & some physical limitations) I need for my next n scale layout to be somewhat light & modular. I have stuck to 2.5X4’ foam track layouts for running & experimenting, but much of my structure building is nearing completion, so its time to get building.
On foam - I’ve always used 1/2 DOW foam board for a base, but thats just track with no scenery, for a solid base, will doubled/tripled DOW construction foam do the trick? Largest module will be 28"x48".
I am using WS foam system, risers & inclines, am I better off using their foam bases? For my size I’ll have to bind together for a base, will this be sturdy?
And are there standards out there for specific modular RR styles? Link? Books?
I can’t answer your question about NMRA standards regarding construction since it varies so much from modeller to modeller. As for what foam to use, I would recommend 2" foam cut to the dimensions you need for your modules and keep the foam contained, if possible, in a light frame or exo-skeleton of some form to keep its edges from getting eroded by contact and hard objects. The 2" foam will be plenty stiff over about 30" from centre to centre, but many of us would add one rigid joist or other support below it halfway over that span just 'cuz.
The advantage of 2" over a thinner one is that you will be able to have deeper gouges for stream beds or ditches, etc, and will not need to glue and stack thinner layers to get the height to the higher ground…unless you want hills. Stiffnesss is the big one, though.
Note that foam, by itself, is noisy. Cork or a less dense foam under your track will help immensely, but so will a thin sheet of plywood below the foam…on which the foam can be left free or glued.
I have not used the WS risers…apparently their use is not always intuitive to the consumer if some threads asking for help in the past 6 months are any indication. If you can figure out how to get a reasonable easement into and out of the grade so that your locos don’t face plant at the bottoms of the rise, you should enjoy success with the foam risers. Of course, you could make your own out of some left over foam scraps. Draw your intended grade profile on a large piece of cardboard, and then cut foam risers to be spaced every 5" up your grade. It will take some patience and doing to cut them all, but it could save you a few bucks…if that is an issue. If you do this, don’t forget to account for the heights of the roadbed, ties, and rail heights along the way, top, bottom, and for any overhead clearances.
What I used with success is a frame of 1x3" lumber, topped with 1/4" Luann Plywood, topped with 1" foam. I did use Woodland Scenic Risers and grades. My layout is sectional so it can be moved if neccesary, and I kept the lengths to 4’. I’m using “N” scale so my width is 2’. I did have to move it , and keeping the lengths to 4’ was a help. I have a bad back, 4 surgeries, and this gave me a weight I could work with. Mine is wall mount Sectional, but not modular. Modular to me means it could be inter-connected with someone elses module using standards like “N” track. Another way to go if starting from scratch is do a search of “Domino Style” Modules. The Author is a guy names Barrows I think, the layout is the Cat Mountain. Using a standard module layout and size allowed him to move the modules around to get the layout he wanted. I think his modules were all 2x4’ or maybe 2.5x4’ A google will find info, it was also covered in Model Railroad Planning Guides. Good luck, Dave
Head over to Ntrak.org; the basic Ntrak module standards are online. And for a small fee, you can buy their module planning booklet.
1/2" foam will work fine, IF you laminate a sheet of 1/4" pine plywood under it. The ply will hive you more than enough structural strength for moving the modules around.
Save your money, get rid of the WS foam junk, and just carve your own out of pink or blue foam sheets. It’s fast, inexpensive, and easy.
If you’re building “real” modules (standard Ntrak), then no fascia is needed. The outside shell of all Ntrak modules is 1x4 pine (or 1/2 plywood 4" wide), and that forms your fascia. Even if you’re not bothering with Ntrak, I wouldn’t worry about fascias on a lightweight layout. Just carve the edge of your foam base smoothly and paint it a dark, unobtrusive color like black or dark green. If you want to dress up the underside of the modules, add Velcro to the underside and add removeable skirting.