roundhouse directly on foam with inspection pits cut in, anyone done this

[rrebell]

I have a turntable and roundhouse that are well done but made to sit on a plywood base. New base is 2" foam. I also have some Chooch inspection pits I would like to install in the roundhouse also. Would like to know if anyone has done this or will I have to experiment.

[selector]

I don't know of it, but I like the idea.  Seems simple enough to achieve.  I would use a new blade, score at least 5/8" deep, pull out what I can with pliers, keep the side walls clean and flat, and maybe pour a tbsp of thinned drywall mud, or wall repair slurry into the bottom to make it flat when it dries.  Then paint it up to look like concrete...?

[BATMAN]

I built mine on Kerdi board which is similar to foam, it is used to line shower/tub enclosures. I had some scrap left from a bathroom reno and it was perfect for my RH.

I cut the pits into it and made it like a module so I could lift it on and off the layout while I worked on it. Progress was slow on the whole project but we got there.

 

Where it would go on the layout.

Then the lighting part took over with lots of experimenting, so being able to move it to my desk was a Brentsend. Being able to hang these light while working at my desk made me glad I made it the way I did.

 

Once I figured I was done a little painters tape covered the cracks so the ground cover did not end up on the carpet below.

[Pruitt]

I put mine directly on foam. Worked just fine.

Here's my friend Walt cutting inspection trench clearances in the foam:

He's doing some of the trenches because I couldn't reach quite that far. We used my hot wire foam cutter. I chopped up a yogurt cup to provide a depth gauge, and we just dragged it slowly along the track centerline on the foam and presto! clearance cuts!

Here's the roundhouse floor in place, and erection of the building's internal frames and installation of the tracks has begun:

I affixed the floor to the foam using adhesive caulk - the same stuff I used to attach the cork roadbed to the foam, and the track to the cork. Versatile stuff!

Here's an under construction view after all tracks were installed. The back wall is complete and lighting has been strung:

And the more or less finished product under ambient light:

And at "night":

Still need to fix the light leaks.

[BATMAN]

Pruitt

Still need to fix the light leaks.

I used truck canopy tape. I cut it into thin strips and stuck it to the roof and with just a slight bit of pressure I push the roof into place and the canopy tape holds it there flat as well as blocks the light leak. 

[rrebell]

Pruitt

I put mine directly on foam. Worked just fine.

Here's my friend Walt cutting inspection trench clearances in the foam:

He's doing some of the trenches because I couldn't reach quite that far. We used my hot wire foam cutter. I chopped up a yogurt cup to provide a depth gauge, and we just dragged it slowly along the track centerline on the foam and presto! clearance cuts!

Here's the roundhouse floor in place, and erection of the building's internal frames and installation of the tracks has begun:

I affixed the floor to the foam using adhesive caulk - the same stuff I used to attach the cork roadbed to the foam, and the track to the cork. Versatile stuff!

Here's an under construction view after all tracks were installed. The back wall is complete and lighting has been strung:

And the more or less finished product under ambient light:

And at "night":

Still need to fix the light leaks.

 

Great pics, you just gave me an idea to use the flooring for locating the roundhouse in a way I can lift it up and off the layout (fixed roof built).