Foam over a wood frame works very well, and is very lightweight (athough it's on the floor.... is weight really an issue if you don't intend it to be portable).
The only thing you have to deal with is that if you want to fasten things like switch machines under your layout, you need to attach pieces of scrap wood on which to mount them. Not a big deal, really, just requires some additional effort.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Thanks for the pictures. This is a great help. I'm starting with a 4 x 8 layout with the thought of expansion. I will contact you again when I get to the layout.
My previous layout was build like that. 1x4 open grid with 2" form glued on top with yellow wood glue. Plenty solid, and more than once I bashed my head into the bottom of the foam ducking under and it never popped loose. CHeck the "Old Stuff" part of my web site for some pictures of it.
---Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Welcome to the forums.
2" foam is strong enough to be supported on 16" or 24" centers. If you expect folks to lean on it, I'd go with 16". The actual weight of the layout isn't really very much. As suggested it is a good idea to have a lightweight frame, it helps protect the edges of the foam as well as give a little extra support. I have seen it placed on 1"x3" bracket tops (3" against the foam) and just a facia to protect the front.
Good luck,
Richard
I used a frame of 1x2's and glued the foam to it. No problems on this 30x42 layout.
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Yes, half of my layout is 2" foam with wood supports and the other half is 1/2" foam on 1/2" plywood with wood supports.
See my links below for some pictures.
Chris
Check out my railroad at: Buffalo and Southwestern
Photos at:Flicker account
YouTube:StellarMRR YouTube account
I am brand new to model railroading and want to know if any one has made their layout on foam (2" thick) as the bench top on a wood support without a plywood base under the foam insulation. Is this possible to make it light weight bench?