Foam Note

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Went to a train show this weekend and viewed some bridge piers that were made from extruded foam and the stonework scribed in with a ballpoint pen. I have mentioned this in a couple of threads where folks were trying to make piers or stone walls.

The gentleman who gave the clinic a couple of years ago was there and I asked if the piers on the layout were made from foam. He said they were, but he has heard that at least the blue extruded foam formula has added borax to help keep “critters” from damaging the foam when it is used on the outside of foundations. Not just sure when the formula was changed. For some reason it makes the texture of the foam just enough different, so that scribing with a pen doesn’t work as well as it used to. He did not know if the pink foam had changed formulas or not. If you have older foam, you should still be able to scribe it easily, if it doesn’t go well you probably have the new formula.

The stonework he had done looked very realistic, so I would encourage folks to give it a try for piers and walls. Scraps of the stuff are cheap, so you are out very little, except your time trying. You may have to try something a little different to scribe it. He hadn’t run out of “old” stuff, so did not know just what would work the best to scribe with.

Hope this helps,

2

All the places around here carry mostly only the pink stuff, which is what I use, and it definitely will scribe with a pen or pencil, even the sheets I just bought in the past few weeks.

–Randy

3

Any pics of the piers made from foam?

4

If they have it set up at the show I go to May 1, I’ll try to get some. Of course I will have to remember to take the wife’s camera.

Have fun,

5

I have seen some pretty intricate work done with a hotwire knife as far as carving details in to foam. Such as brick and stone patterns that were pretty darn convincing. I was sure I was looking at hydrocal castings…Tim

6

Just bought a nice electric hot wire at Hobby Lobby for $20. It is a single wire on a plastic handle. easy to work with and heats up instantly.

7

If it was the guy from the Hot wire foam factory I’ve seen him several times at Timonium he’s really really good. He honestly makes it look easier then I really think it is but hey get a couple piece of scrap some where and give it a whirl. One thing I have found that has kept me from continuing to use extruded foam is the cost. That stuff ain’t cheap and it really starts to add up real fast.