Suggestions how to do this?

[electrolove]

My railroad begins at zero level and climbs at 2% to about 45 cm at the end. There are 3 yards that are flat, and when the yard ends the railroad begins to climb again. That's the background. I want to use Woodland Scenics Inclines between the yards but...

How do I build the yards, they will be around 25, 35 and 45 cm above the foam on my benchwork.

Please ask questions if this is unclear...

[dehusman]

Not use woodlands inclines. Use conventional benchwork.

Dave H.

[electrolove]

dehusman:

That's not an option, I already have the inclines. Thanks anyway.

[pcarrell]

Can you either build up 1/4, 1/2, 1, and 2 inch foam layers to the desired hight?

How about a raised shelf-like portion to support the yard? (s small shelf on riser blocks)

Either one of those would get you to 9.48", 13.78", 17.72", or REALLY close. Close enough for you to work with anyways.

However you do it, you're going to need a wide area of support for a yard and those are the two most obvious ways to do it that I can think of.

[selector]

If foam layers will not be practical for you, then I would do as P. Carrell suggests. Mate a plywood 'table', or platform, to the places where your risers end each climbing stage. You can use the cardboard strips and hot glue to make slopes along the edges, or rock faces for a more dramatic effect. Cover the strips with plaster cloth or plaster towels first, of course.

[davekelly]

Don't forget to figure out where a train will stop when working the yard. Don't want the cars running down hill the minute the locomotive is uncoupled!

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

If foam layers will not be practical for you, then I would do as P. Carrell suggests. Mate a plywood 'table', or platform, to the places where your risers end each climbing stage. You can use the cardboard strips and hot glue to make slopes along the edges, or rock faces for a more dramatic effect. Cover the strips with plaster cloth or plaster towels first, of course.

Yeah, what he said! [:D]

[electrolove]

pcarrell and selector:

Do you mean something like this?

[joeh19012]

I'm going to go along with pcarrell and selector. I have a similar situation with the layout I am building. There is a relatively large yard area--almost 8 feet (~240 cm) long--that is flat. As of the moment, I have a chunk cut from a 4' x 8' plywood sheet (roughly 120 cm x 240 cm) that I plan to attach to risers at an approximate height of 2" (~5 cm) over my zero elevation. Either end of the yard moves to another elevation.

I am not using the Woodland Scenics system (seems nice for smaller situations, but does anyone else think some of their stuff gets expensive?), so I appreciate the advice about using cardboard strips at the transitions.

Good luck with your plans. [8D]

[joeh19012]

QUOTE: Originally posted by electrolove

pcarrell and selector:

Do you mean something like this?

My first answer: That looks basically like the right idea to me, but you don't need any foam under the yard. Attach the bottom of the risers to your support system (L-girder, for instance), and the top of the risers to what your yard is mounted on.

OR:

(I haven't used foam, so I am speculating here). Build up enough foam to give your yard solid support, and then use the top piece of styrofoam insulation as the base for your yard. Then your transition is from one or more insulating foam sheets to the Woodland Scenics riser/incline system.

Maybe there will be some additional posts from a few folks with experience using the styrofoam.

Good luck. [8D]

[selector]

EL, yes, that is basically the idea. Don't use foam where it will serve no purpose (i.e.- under the platform). Make plywood risers, top them with the plywood surface shaped as you like. Use 1/4" plywood as it will be strong enough for structures and trains. Keeps the costs down, too.

So, you appear to have the idea. It is work, but that is how to build a 'railroad!" [:D]

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by electrolove

pcarrell and selector:

Do you mean something like this?

Right on the money!

I'd use 1/4 inch foam sheeting cut to shape on the platform under the yard just for sound deadening and so you have a little something to carve into for drainage ditches and so forth (helps you get away from that billiard table look!). Just figure the foam into the equation when you figure the height of the platform. [8D]

[selector]

Good thinking. Factor roadbed and/or foam into your overall heights.

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

Good thinking. Factor roadbed and/or foam into your overall heights.

Yeah, every once in a while I accidentally hit on something.

But it was an accident, it won't happen again! [:p]

[jacon12]

I think he's getting confused because Woodland S calls their foam sections 'risers' and the same English word is used to mean a piece of plywood that is used to elevate the track (where no foam is used). At least I think thats what is happening.
Jarrell

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

I think he's getting confused because Woodland S calls their foam sections 'risers' and the same English word is used to mean a piece of plywood that is used to elevate the track (where no foam is used). At least I think thats what is happening.
Jarrell

I was going by the picture.

[electrolove]

jacon12:

No, not cunfused yet. [:D] I feel that the picture I draw is a good way of doing it. I want to use the Woodland Scenics incline and risers because I think it's a very good product. It's not cheap but it will make everything so simple so it's worth it. I think I will use the plywood idea on one of my yards because I need room under the plywood for some other tracks. I will use lots of foam stacked on each other to give the other 2 yards massive support. That's the idea so far, but It will soon change again to something even better. [8D]

That's what I like about this forum. Someone have an brilliant idea, someone else tells me an even better idea and so on. Evolution, kind of....

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pcarrell

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

I think he's getting confused because Woodland S calls their foam sections 'risers' and the same English word is used to mean a piece of plywood that is used to elevate the track (where no foam is used). At least I think thats what is happening.
Jarrell

I was going by the picture.

You're right PCarrell, my apologies..[:I]
Jarrell