Hello,
I am getting ready to build a small layout, basically 9' * 5' with two extensions. I had planned on just laying cork for road bed on top of plywood and then I remembered homasote and while looking at homasote in this forum I remembered about foam board. Is there anything really wrong with just laying cork on plywood? What is the advantage of layering plywood, foam then cork?
Can anyone tell me the month/year of articles in MR that use foam board as a scenery base and/or track base.
Thanks to all who respond and best regards!
Rod
I have always used cork on plywood. I find it easy to do and works well. My current layout (soon to be replaced) has used it for over 10 years without problem.
Enjoy
Paul
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Thanks to all who responed!
Regards,
IDAHOSURGE wrote: Hello,I am getting ready to build a small layout, basically 9' * 5' with two extensions. I had planned on just laying cork for road bed on top of plywood and then I remembered homasote and while looking at homasote in this forum I remembered about foam board. Is there anything really wrong with just laying cork on plywood? What is the advantage of layering plywood, foam then cork?Can anyone tell me the month/year of articles in MR that use foam board as a scenery base and/or track base.Thanks to all who respond and best regards!Rod
Rod,
I hate to get off topic and beat a dead horse on something that has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum, but...
If you are still in the planning stage, I highly recommend looking at an around-the-walls or walk-in type of arrangement instead of a 5x9. The first layout I built was a 5x9, and after trying to operate it for a couple of months, I promptly ripped it apart and started over with a donut-shaped layout where I could stand in the middle and run the trains around me. The new layout occupies the same amount of effective space (including aisleways around the edges of the 5x9), but everything is within easy reach since the sections are only 2' wide. Half of the layout is on shelf brackets, and the other half has freestanding benchwork.
Check out this link for an idea for an alternative to the traditional 4x8. Maybe it will give you some ideas:
http://www.layoutdesignservice.com/lds/samples/betterbeginnerlayout.htm
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
Dan, I agree heartily. I decided when planning my second (current) layout that being surrounded by the entire scenery and tracks would be a experience in immersion. It was also a most sensible use of the same space. The only drawback is that it requires a gate or duckunder...no big deal in my case; I am short and still young. I think this is the ideal for many of us. I don't misunderstand and fail to appreciate the obvious sense and appeal of around the wall, very likely my next design, but for now this is it.
In this image, the central pit is 36" across and 92" long...room for two realistically, three in a controlled pinch.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet