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[Anonymous]

I haven't had a model railroad layout for over 30 years. I now have a two year old grandson and am back at for him.....and for me.

I have the standard 4 X 8 structure built and have been reading MR to discover that I need to put down 1" of foam plus another 2" of foam. Other than sound deadening I am not sure why. I understand that the foam (pink insulation board) can be used for scenery but don't understand the 1" - 2" thing. I also can't figure out what to do if I want to have an over/under layout and have all this foam insulation to deal with.

What's the story?

Jim
Rochester Hills, Michigan

[Anonymous]

Hello Jim,

The pink construction foam is far from sound deadening in fact it makes a nice amplifier, much like a drum head. Using the 2 layers does make for a rigid and light base board often removing or reducing the need for ply-wood. It is easy to work with, gluing, cutting and painting are all trivial but can be a bit messy. If your layout has different levels the foam can be easily layered and cut away to achieve this. How you use the foam is determined by your layout requirements. A more precise description may get you some more useful responses.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply.
Am I better off to attach the cork roadbed to my 1/2" plywood base, or should I install some kind of foam before I install the cork? If so, what is the best way to install the cork and track onto the foam?

Also, I have a box of nickel flex track that is about 25 years old. Has technology changed this product or am I safe to use it?

[Anonymous]

Hello Jim,

I have attached my cork roadbed directly to the foam and in other places to ceiling tile layered to the foam. I have never tried attaching cork roadbed directly to the plywood because of the difficulties of sculpting trackside effects. Foam and ceiling tile allows ditches and gullies to be dug easily. I have used both pliobond liquid nails and yellow carpenters glue succesfully to bond cork, ceiling tile and pink foam.

HTH

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, Nickel Silver track is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

heck no to foam, lol i use cork road bed on just plywood works great just apply your scenery and it doesnt affect it at all!!

[Anonymous]

Jim:

I use a single layer of foam over 1/2" plywood base as 'grade level'. To this I add successive layers of foam where I want higher elevations. For cuts I use inset hydrocal castings detailed and colored to suit. For sub-grade work...ponds, streams etc., i use suspending ribs made from plywood.

Randy

[Anonymous]

I also just use the plywood for my trackwork with cork roadbed attached. I use foam in some places for the scenery.

PS Welcome back to the model railroading.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. The comments have been very helpful.

Any recommendations on a good online store for purchasing model railroad supplies?

Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jbfrench

Thanks for the input. The comments have been very helpful.

Any recommendations on a good online store for purchasing model railroad supplies?

Jim

Your best resource for information on available products is the 2004 Walthers Catalogue. They have one for HO, one for N/Z, and I believe one for larger scales as well, depending on what you need. They should be readily available at your local hobby shop or from walthers.com.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jbfrench

Thanks for the input. The comments have been very helpful.

Any recommendations on a good online store for purchasing model railroad supplies?

Jim

Jim,

As a beginner, you might want to consider one of the Woodland Scenics layout kits, or training dioramas. These products will show you how to use foam for scenery sub-terrain (which you can substitute the "pink" extruded foam for). You can also get one of the Woodland Scenics videos -- If you do, I would suggest "The Clinic", which I haven't seen, but I have participated in at the 2002 NMRA Convention.

Good online stores:

www.walthers.com
www.standardhobbysupply.com
www.trainworld.com

Check out the ads in MR, MRC and other simular publications for more web sites.

Dale B.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:
You can also get one of the Woodland Scenics videos -- If you do, I would suggest "The Clinic", which I haven't seen, but I have participated in at the 2002 NMRA Convention.

I have this video and it's really good.