Foam Insulation Sub Roadbed

[markie97]

I am planning on using foam insulation sub roadbed with Midwest cork roadbed and I have two questions:

1) Will the noise level be bad?

2) Will 1" thickness be adequate if I have my cross braces at 1' on center?

Thank you,

Mark

[cowman]

Some folks have said it is loud, others say they don't notice the difference.  One thing I have seen as at least a partial quieting of any layout sound is hang a curtain around the front of your layout.

What scale are you in?  If you are in HO I would recommend 2" foam so that you can have below track level scenery without having it too thin. 

As for 1" foam on 1' centers, would think it should hold, but someone else may have experience, not just an opinion.

Good luck,

Richard

[rrinker]

 If you want to have any below track level scenery you might want to consider going with the 2" foam since 1" doesn't leave you much room to carve down and still have a reasonable thickness for support under the scenic feature.

 I did not think it was noisy, on either of 2 layouts I build using just foam, one with cork and one with Woodland Scenics foam Track-Bed.

                             --Randy

 

[PED]

I think the 2" is preffered especially if you plan any heavy structure on top of it or want to carve any features (stream, lakes or varable road levels) into it. I started with 2" on 16" centers and added a 3/4" sheet to that so I am working with 2.75" and am glad I did. Allowes me to add small bridges/etc to give it some depth so it does not look like a flat table.

[BigDaddy]

Ken Patterson, a professional MR photographer/videographer uses several layers of 2" foam.  He carves his grades right into the foam.  I think I just read in MR about using 1 1/2 + 1/2 to give an easily carvable top layer for landscaping. 

I would not use 1" personally.  If anyone leaned on it, they might punch a hole in it and there is no flexability for carving a river or stream

[mbinsewi]

I used 2" for the main base, then added additional layers as need for hills, mountains, grades, etc.  My track bed only varies an 1 1/2" in elevation, and was carved into the foam as needed.

So, to do it all again, I would still use at least a 2" base to start with.

Mike

[UNCLEBUTCH]

I have mostly 2in foam table top, I don't use roadbed.After track is ballest I really don't notice noise, I have sound in all locos, and run at slow speeds, if that makes a difference.

I have spaned 1in foam up to 18in. it will carry the load, but as said above don't lean on it.

If you could use 2in I think you'll be happier, could profile the sides, cut in culverts ect.

[DigitalGriffin]

The foamboard isn't any louder than plywood (that I have noticed.)  I do find foamboard more limiting in two areas:

1.  Carving out foamboard to make scenery shapes (mountains, hills, includes) is harder than building up sections of foam.

2.  Putting under table switch machines is harder.

As to spacing, if you are using 1x4's < 4' span, 16" OC should be fine unless you intend to stand on it.

[BroadwayLion]

Loud?

 

Yes Loud, but then I do not need to have sound on my equipment. I wonder what this will sound like when I have all 10 trains running at once.

ROAR

[bearman]

You can always center your cross braces farther than 1' center and then lay 1/4-1/2" playwood and lay the foam on the playwood.

[rrinker]

 My last layout has 2' centers, I had 1/4" plywood and then the 2" foam glued on top of that. Plenty sturday. The one before that had a 2' open grid with 2" foam glues on that, no plywood. Also was very sturdy.

 Something to think about, if you use lighter materials that needs more frequent support, you increase the chance of some support being in the way of under table accesories or even just drilling holes for feeder wires or structure lights.

                                 --Randy