Using Woodland Scenics Subterrain incline to elevate the track IS FUN!

[AlanRail]

Over the years I have employed many methods to elevate track. I created supports from single posts to double posts usually with wood dowels and such. Painstakingly measuring and guessing inclines to 3 or 4% with rulers and strings. But now Woodland Scenics has take the pain right out of the construction with their inexpensive system. I first saw this in the new Lionel Building Book. And after trying it for myself , I find that laying out these pre-cut Styrofoam pieces is a breeze. I am now in the process of building an elevated section with a double switchback.

I have begun with the approach as shown in full view below ( these are 88" Ross Custom sectional tracks, the lower level is 072"):



CLICK TO ENLARGE--- EACH PHOTO

Using a felt-tip pen I marked the general curve of the elevation and using hot glue ( I am using a different type of hot glue that is actually polyurethane hot melt adhesive) glued down the starter 2% incline pieces. The approach is several feet of elevated section at 2%, I glued the cork roadbed over the incline and will glue the track to the cork:



Next I started using 4% incline pieces to get to a height of 4" The heights are nicely printed outside on the Woodland Scenics box.. The height transition is very smooth and sturdy. Since I want the rise to be a total of 6-1/2 inches I added another 4 feet of 4% incline on top of the 4" risers.



A closer view of the second set of inclines on the risers. Note that I cheated a bit by placing the second incline set further down.



After I finish gluing the risers I will then glue the cork and track. Now after this elevation is completed I will add the first switchback that will rise another 7 inches in height and curve back to the right and then another will curve back to the left at another 7"

Each switchback will rise from a succession of Styrofoam tables. This will start the mountain that will cover the tracks you see now.

The final termination point on the left will be a three-way switch ending in three sidings for the Shay, Heisler and Climax engines and their lumber skeleton Log cars.

I will post more photos as this progresses.

Alan

[Buckeye Riveter]

YES
It is so great to see someone else has caught on to the idea of the foam methods of building a layout. When I was building my layout, four years ago, I used the Scenic’s inclines but only have one photo of them in place.


The inclines are at the middle right hand portion of the photo. The idea of the circle in the middle was ultimately scrapped.


Our trains do not weigh that much and most people are wasting materials building benchwork. For additional information about the use of foam in construction today, see http://www.rewardwalls.com/ae/ae_home.html?ae If it is strong enough to be a form for concrete, it will hold your trains.

[willpick]

I too have used (and will be using again) the Woodland scenics system. It's made doing elevation changes so easy that i've often wondered WHY didn't somebody think of the concept 15 years ago???
Styrofoam has been around for at least 25 years- how come it's only been in the last 10 years that using foam(in any form) on a layout has become THE alternate method of building benchwork???

[AlanRail]

GREAT

I use foam a lot in the layout construction. I have an entire city made from a foam base. But this is the first I have used it in an incline system to elevate the track. We forgot to mention the sound-deading characteristics too.

The HO boyz have been using foam a lot longer. I think the idea of using wood first came about from the old LIONEL books in the fifties and the idea just continued to L-girder, etc.

I have friends that have wasted whole plywood sheets to make a few curve track base sections; when foam could have been used instead and a lot cheaper.

Now from the photos, it is a mess at first; but it cleans up fast with a vacuum.

Alan

[Buckeye Riveter]

The book, Model Train Benchwork only has one small section in the back of the book that discusses the use of foam. When I install an accessory, be it a light bulb or an animation, I just punch a small hole down through the foam. No drilling!

There is not that much waste with foam. You use the scrapes for the scenery