Building new layout

[gwg50]

The last time I did a layout was in 1978 and I just put it on plywood. It seems that a lot has changed since then. What's this about foam? Do I need to put some kind of foam down on top of the plywood? The layout is all 4’ wide in a U shape the back 11’7” the right come out 10’8”, the left comes out 7’8”. I would like any help that ya’ll can give me. I hope its ok to use my old track from my last layout. It’s been in boxes since 1980, with my 4 trains. Gary

[cnw1995]

A Hearty Welcome gwg! The old track should be fine - I've been using track made before WW2. I'd look over the trains though to lube them appropriately. This foam you've heard of is insulation foam - not styrofoam - you can find 4 x 8 slabs of it in colors like pink and blue in home centers throughout the northern US in thicknesses ranging from 1/2 to 3-4 inches. You can glue them in stacks to make hills, carve them to make tunnels or rivers - cover 'em with plaster or paint it. You have to get the right foam glue at the same store - it'll be where you find sealants and caulk. I would recomend buying some - maybe some broken pieces that sell for practically nothing - and put it right atop the plywood and see what you think. I've used them to 'level off' the raised crawlspace where I have my layout. I got 8 or 9 of 'em.

[gwg50]

so u put this foam down then put the track on top of the foam?

[Buckeye Riveter]

[gwg50]

the last time I just screwed the track to the plywood. What your saying is to put the foam down and start laying the track on top of the foam?

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gwg50

the last time I just screwed the track to the plywood. What your saying is to put the foam down and start laying the track on top of the foam?

For my layout, there is 1" of low density foam (white) on top of 2" of higher density foam (blue or pink) on the bottom level. The track is MTH Realtrax and I used deck screws to hold it down to the foam. It hasn't moved in the five years is has been operating.

You can see more of the construction details at:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8ZYtnLVwwwg

When I built mine the foam was rather cheap. It isn't that way anymore.

[ChiefEagles]

Let me tell you. The Buckeye has it done right. Have seen it and seen it run. Light but strong. I'm going to use wood and then 1" foam then track. In NC, Lowes and Home Depot only carry 1" foam. It costs here. So wood then only one layer of foam.

[Roger Bielen]

Gary, the foam board, or the fiberous type insulation board, as a layer under the track acts as a sound dampening material to reduce noise. It'll also allow you to cut out depresions for ponds, etc. The one caviat is not to screw the track through the foam into the plywood, the screws will carry the vibration causing noise. When I did my layout I initially screwed the track through till I ballasted and glued everything then I removed the screws, the glued ballast holds all in place.

I've read of others drilling through the foam and plywood and using elctrical ties to hold the track down. Let us know if you need more details.

[gwg50]

Thanks guys I'll get back when I get the foam down. I guess just put the foam down with silicone caulk with a caulk gun. that should hold it down. right. also I have a lionel locomotive 1688 that would not go across the switchs back then. I think it was made in 1946 or 47. I guess I should not use it at all just put it on a shelf. And thanks Roger for the info. You explained what the foam was for. I didn’t know what the reason for the foam was.

[FJ and G]

gwg,

yes, that will do it; maybe put a bit of weight on the foam until it sets

[cnw1995]

These guys are right. Personally, I covered the foam with LifeLike's green grass matt - that looks and feels like green sandpaper - then laid the track on that - didn't screw it in - but tied it all together.

[gwg50]

Just an update. Down here in Texas I could not find any 1" foam so I got 3/4" white at lowe's thats all they had an 1/2" pink at home depot an gluded them together. I ordered some midwest cork roadbed but have not got it yet. but I don't have a clue as to what kind of layout i'm going to do yet. Gary

[lionelsoni]

Gary in Kyle, I just noticed your location. I'm in Austin (Anderson Mill). My layout is at your disposal if you want to run a little right now, or just hang out. (Conventional power, O34 curves)

[gwg50]

Thanks for the offer Bob maybe we can get together sometime and run our trains, I need to come to Austin to a hobby shop to get some roadbed. The roadbed I order from Midwest is on backorder. Gary

[gwg50]

Update on layout now that I learned how to post pictures.

Thanks for looking Gary

[csxt30]

Gary : your layout is coming along just great !! I took a look at your website & some pictures in your album just show the little RED X s. Maybe it's just me !!

Thanks, John

[Frank53]

I'm going to use wood and then 1" foam then track.

anytime in the near future? 

[jefelectric]

Gary : your layout is coming along just great !! I took a look at your website & some pictures in your album just show the little RED X s. Maybe it's just me !!

Thanks, John

Gary, The same for me on the web site.  Nice job on the layout construction.  It looks good sized, what are the dimensions?

[gwg50]

I think i got my website fixed take a look and let me know thanks.The layout is  25' long, the left side is 7.5' and the right side is 12' long. all 4' wide and I'm thinking that is not good I'm finding that I'm not as young as I was when I built my first, so it s hard to get to the back of the layout. So I thank I'm giong to cut it down to 3' wide and go all the way around the rooms but would have to put in two lift bridges to get to the inside of layout. One from the kitchen & one for the front door. I might end up using the whole mobile home its 80' long by 12' wide.

 Gary

[csxt30]

It's working now !! Very nice layout you have started also !! Yes, 4 feet is a long stretch I learned too !  I see you do some rerailing too. Nice cranes. Those are really big ones ! I used to work on a steam wrecker & wreck train years ago. Then we got a Pettibone 110 ton off road crane & now we use outside contractors that have the sidewinders & they have one German crane called a Mantis.

Well, nice website Gary & you might want to come on over to The Coffee Pot if you have time !!

Thanks, John 

[Cheese]

Very Nice,

I noticed on your site that you said the Williams Texas Special has bad sound as you can barely hear the horn. Has any other Williams Golden Mems F3 owners have that problem?

Cheese

[gwg50]

Very Nice,

I noticed on your site that you said the Williams Texas Special has bad sound as you can barely hear the horn. Has any other Williams Golden Mems F3 owners have that problem?

Cheese

Hey Cheese

I don't know about other owners of Williams, This is the only one I have bought. I would like to know that myself. So I can't say. Also I'm not saying I don't like the Williams. It looks great & runs like a bat out of H____. Look at my post on Williams I turned it up and yes it got louder but not that much. I would like to know if others owners are having the same problem? Maybe its just my Williams I don't know. Gary

[ChiefEagles]

I'm going to use wood and then 1" foam then track.

anytime in the near future? 

Progress, MAN, progress.  Got one room ready [insulated, walled and painted].  Now to get other one painted.  Then building starts.  Had planned to get the big room started today but tractor oil change got "hickups" with wrong filter from parts house.  Shot the day.  Tomorrow AM shot.  Maybe tomorrow PM and Thursday.   BTW: Gary, Bob Nelson's layout is an electrical marvel.  Go see it.  He can also cook.  

[Frank53]

I'm going to use wood and then 1" foam then track.

anytime in the near future? 

Progress, MAN, progress.  Got one room ready [insulated, walled and painted].  Now to get other one painted.  Then building starts.  Had planned to get the big room started today but tractor oil change got "hickups" with wrong filter from parts house.  Shot the day.  Tomorrow AM shot.  Maybe tomorrow PM and Thursday.   BTW: Gary, Bob Nelson's layout is an electrical marvel.  Go see it.  He can also cook.  

I'll believe it when I see it.

does this mean I have to start building your switch tower I promised you two or three or five years ago?

[gwg50]

Hey Chief

Been to Bob's house seen his layout but did not get any food. I even made one of his little turnouts. it did not come out just like his but almost and it works.Gary 

[Frank53]

Your custom made switch tower awaits you Cheif.

 

[gwg50]

Your custom made switch tower awaits you Cheif.

 

Frank if Cheif does not want it I'll be more than happy to put it on my layout. Gary

[lionelsoni]

Gary, come back sometime around supper time and I'll see what I can do.

My "little turnouts" don't seem to come out exactly the same way twice either!

[Frank53]

Frank if Cheif does not want it I'll be more than happy to put it on my layout. Gary

 

I told Chief I would build one for him when he finished his benchwork. Thought it might inspire him to get moving.

I think that was 1999 . . .

[Jumijo]

Your switch tower inspired me, Frank. I went out and bought one after seeing how impressive yours looks.

I own 2 Williams locomotives and love them both.

671 steam loco: Has a loud whistle and a not so loud bell.

2023 Alco diesel: has an incredibly loud bell, but almost cannot hear the horn.

Jim