Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Foam Bed

2729 views
11 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 5 posts
Posted by questions on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 7:44 PM

hi all - many thanks. finally located the "pink" foam in our area !!!

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 547 posts
Posted by eaglescout on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 5:10 PM
Fieryturbo, I have used that myself and several years ago I posted about how I cut it at an angle for roadbed based on an article in Morel Railroader that used a foam underlayment for laminate floors as their roadbed.
  • Member since
    August 2015
  • 371 posts
Posted by fieryturbo on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 3:06 PM

If it's for yards, I use 12"x18"x3mm EVA foam from Hobby Lobby at 99 cents a sheet

Julian

Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 5 posts
Posted by questions on Friday, November 18, 2016 5:59 PM
thanks to all
  • Member since
    July 2016
  • From: Cumberland Plateau
  • 393 posts
Posted by CentralGulf on Thursday, November 17, 2016 4:21 PM

Some kinds of foam shrink. Some outgas. Some react chemically to contact with other materials. Some contact bond with other kinds of material, including paints, given enough time.

I have experienced all of the above at one time or another in non-MRR applications. Repurposing an unknown foam product for MRR use seems risky to me.

Edit:

A few years ago I started picking up samples of likely looking candidate roadbed material at home improvement stores, all because homosote is unobtanium in this area.

Last week I was moving some of my stuff from my old place to my current abode when I ran across two of these samples. One seemed undiminished from its original properties. The other crumbled to dust when I picked it up.  Stick out tongue Surprise

It was a type of insulation board. It was so far gone that I could not read any identifying marks. Sad

Fair warning.

CG

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, November 17, 2016 3:31 PM

I use WS foam roadbed for single tracks, but for a large area like a yard, foam board (poster board) in 3/16 thickness (I think) works well and is very cheap.  For whatever reason, it's much cheaper at a craft store like Michaels than at an office place like Staples.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Saskatchewan
  • 2,201 posts
Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Thursday, November 17, 2016 10:35 AM

Whistling

There is a closed cell product that is used for underlayment for Laminate floors.

I have used it in my staging area. Leftovers from my SIL's remodelling.

Johnboy out...........

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 5 posts
Posted by questions on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 10:01 AM

thanks henry

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 5 posts
Posted by questions on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 10:00 AM

thanks mike

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 7:23 AM

questions
Are there cheaper alternatives to Woodland Scenics Foam Sheets ?

Welcome to the forum

Did you mean these?  http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/images/NewWSWeb/st1477_f_1.jpg

I was just looking at that product at the LHS.  I think it was closed cell.  The product wasn't developed only for Woodland Scenics, so it must be used for something else and come in bigger rolls.  Maybe this?  http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Density-Volara-Closed-Cell-Foam-Auto-Upholstery-Crafts-By-the-yard-BTY-/161225495525

 

 

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 9:49 PM

Well, not exactly sure what you mean by "foam beds", is it track beds, or just general layout surface, but, you can buy 4' x8' sheets, of various thicknesses, of foam at the big box stores, and , if you any construction going on around, you "dumster dive" for peices and scrapes.

I spent my working life in the building trades, so I always had a source for scrapes and "throw-a-ways". 

The base on my layout is 2" foam "blue" board or "pink", and so are the hills and scenery.

I do understand that in certain parts of the country, big box stores don't carry foam sheets.

Mike

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 5 posts
Foam Bed
Posted by questions on Monday, November 14, 2016 10:25 AM

Are there cheaper alternatives to Woodland Scenics Foam Sheets ?

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!