Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Changing elevation around curves with foam board

2344 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Changing elevation around curves with foam board
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 8, 2004 3:49 PM
I am considering the foam board techniques described by Bill Darnaby in MR, and can see how it would be easy to incorporate grades on a straight run along the wall. However, at a corner, it is not clear to me how the foam board accomodates the compound curve/grade. My only experience is with open grid, and I haven't seen this issue discussed about foamboard in Darnaby's articles or elsewhere. Can someone with experience with this technique tell me how to handle the curves? My plan is to use a long around the wall segment to connect an upper and lower level. Thanks.
Jack
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Along the Murphy Branch
  • 1,410 posts
Posted by dave9999 on Sunday, February 8, 2004 4:02 PM
Two words! Foam risers. They are available in 2%, 3% and 4% Grades. They take the guess work out of it.
http://home.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/179/179121/pages/445631/IM000427fw.JPG
Dave
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Sunday, February 8, 2004 5:23 PM
Jack;

Dave is referring to Woodland Scenics foam risers, see SubTerrain on thier website:http://www.woodlandscenics.com/

Or you can make your own, easy for straights, no so easy for curves.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Elgin, IL
  • 3,677 posts
Posted by orsonroy on Monday, February 9, 2004 9:15 AM
Don't bother with foam risers. Bill Darnaby doesn't, and neither do I. Working around a corner is absolutely the same as working down a straight wall. Set your starting and end points for your grade, snap a chalkline for them, and start hanging your brackets. The brackets ARE your risers, moving the entire layout up or down based on what base track elevation you want. It's simpler than you think.

Email me offlist if you want to see some pics of my layout and how the brackets climb the walls for elevation variations.

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 20, 2004 9:44 PM
I have used the 2% and 3% foam risers and they are a no brainer. Very easy to use and near perfection grades. I highly recommend. I paid about 10.00 a box for mine.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!