What is the best kind of plywood to use for HO scale layouts?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I wondering what kind of plywood to purchase to use as a foundation to a train layout. I am planning to place foam on top of the plywood for the modeling and track laying. The layout is in a basement that normally stays between 50 and 60 degrees all the time. Moisture sometimes can get high, but with AC and heat being available to control the moisture, moisture is not really a concern. I am concerned that if I choose a cheap type of plywood that it may warp in time. Thanks for any help in advance.

2

I believe 1/4" plywood is sufficient. I’d just get cheap stuff. It doesn’t need to be cabinet grade. As long as you secure it to the bench work properly it’s not going to warp.

3

Hi,

You can’t go wrong using 1/2 inch ply. But, there are plys and there are plys… Get the best you can afford.

Don’t be too sure about the moisture problem. My layout is in an climate controlled spare room, and six months after my benchwork was put in, I awoke to several unwanted curves on the layout. Even with the plywood painted and sitting 3 months in the attached garage beforehand, it still shrunk a bit. Thankfully, a slice here and there with a Dremel cut off tool removed most of the problems.

4

Thanks for the info this definitely helps. If I go with the 1/4" I most likely will go with a better wood. Thanks!

5

I use 1/2". Make sure it’s properly supported. I use a grid with cross members on 16" centers. That should work with 1/4" and foam especially if you glue the plywood to the grid and the foam to the plywood.

Good luck

Paul

6

I’m going to agree completely with Paul … I wouldn’t trust 1/4-inch thick plywood to be strong enough to maintain a good even level geometry. What I used was no less than 7/16-inch thick ply or wafer board and it worked well in HO. I would err on the side of more strong than too thin.

If you go on the “cheap” and use 1/4-inch, you may find out later that it wasn’t up to the job and then it’s too late.

7

Another vote for 1/2" standard ply. Cheap as dirt and works just fine.

Stu

8

I would suggest 1/2" birch plywood. It has enough ply’s to keep it straight.I am not sure of the grade but I call it cabinet grade. One side stain able the other not quite as good.

Just saying.

Lee

9

Thanks for all the information. So it seems like 1/2 inch is probably the best thickness to go with. Thinking over what i am planning to build, I will most likely now go with the 1/2 thickness. Thanks.