After almost 20 years I am going to be building a layout for myself. My first layout, over 30 years ago, was a 4’x8’ HO scale that I had a great time building & running but sadly when I got to be a teenager priorities changed. I’ve been wanting to build a layout for some time now but havent been able to come up with a suitable location. Our basement is large, empty & dry but unfortunately it is only 5’ tall and I don’t feel like developing a hunchback. The attic above my woodshop is about 16’x30’ but it is unfinished & unheated. It is still a possibility but it will be quite a few years before I could get that ready.
Finally I decided to switch to N scale and build a layout inside a coffee table (which I still have to build as well) I am going to make the layout 28"x52" and use the track plan on page 54 in the Feburary issue of MR. As I am using a solid table top I would like to build up my roadbed with foam to get the proper grades & keep it lightweight. What is the best way to shape the foam to get the proper inclines grades & keep smooth transitions from one piece to the next? Any thoughts/comments would be helpful.
I would use Woodland Scenics flexible foam inclines and risers. I would stick to the 2% grade ones, though as 3 or 4 % can be difficult. DOn’t know what the plan uses for grades…
Welcome to the forums and back to model railroading.
Also, welcome to the society of “something got in the way when we were teenagers and are just getting back to model railroading” club. For some of us it was a long time others didn’t stay away as long.
If you are only going up and down, not to an over and under height, one thing I have concidered is cutting a strip of foam a little wider than the track (could even have some additional shape) and just putting a shim under it when you have the grade you want. Sculptamold, chunks of foam, spray foam or cardboard lattice could be used to fill the edges.
Haven’t seen the track plan yet. Have concidered making my wife a coffee table layout for her N scale, that at the moment makes an occasional appearance at Christmas. (Not this year.) Wouldn’t be able to have one that long, but I know there are smaller plans out there.
A good sharp knife or utility knife are good to cut (and snap) your basic foam shapes. For shaping, the knife, a hacksaw blace, wallboard saw among other things, all work quite well. For final shaping of rounded edges, I have found the little Surfoam tool with a small, slightly curved blade, alittle over an inch square works very well. You can cut gourges, round hill tops, whatever is needed. Small chunks of foam can be used for dirt and coal piles and many other small scenic forms.
Use Woodland Scenic risers for the road bed. Use Styrofoam insulation for the mountains. . Glue the pieces together with low temp hot melt glue. Carve it with a steak knife. Paint with acrilics. I have pics in my sig.
Welcome to the forum. I learned most of what little I know on this forum.
You have received good ideas. For me I prefer ridged foam board (insulation sheets), and a filet knife works best for me. In other words, a long flexible blade. Keep it sharp and moisten slightly.
I also use a couple of filleting knifes and keep a sharpening stone handy as foam will dull any blade fairly quickly. I also use the breakaway utility knives (1/2" and 1") that you can get 4 or 5 for a dollar at the dollar store. I tend to stay away from serrated blades and saws because they creat a lot of extra foam dust.
Thank you to everyone for your ideas. After looking the plan over again, I was thinking of using the “cookie cutter” method instead of foam. I’ve never done this before but I wouldn’t think it would be too difficult. I am also considering some minor changes to the plan. Never having worked in Nscale before I was wondering how much clearance I would need between 2 paralell tracks.