need help after benchwork is complete

[Anonymous]

I am new to the model railroading and i am trying to get it started. i have all the track i need and i have what my layout is going to be. but now i am stuck and dont know what to do. do i need to put styrofoam under the entire layout or what.. i need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Plywood, is usually first, you can then use homeasote and then your roadbed if you have an open grid for your bench work, it is best to by some books and ask at your local hobby shop if this is possible, Kalmbach has many books on this from start to finish. Good Luck and enjoy it can get frustrating.

[Anonymous]

This is working for me: Start with 4x8 ply wood and lay track for layout with switches only. This will help you identify what works and what dosen't. Don't secure the track until you are certain that your layout has the right radius on your turns, correct #turnout required, etc. I found out that I couldn't run the motive power I wanted in the space I had. Be enthusiastic about model railroading but don't try to build the Union Pacific all in one fell swoop. If anything, I learned that patience is the best virtue, defenitely where model railoading is concerned.

John

[Anonymous]

john, i have all the wood working done as far as the table is concerned. but what should i do with the plywood does it need to be covered with styrofoam or something else. or just leave it bare wood?

[Anonymous]

Cover it with:
white styrofoam - if you want to save a buck or
pink styrofoam is easier to cut and shape but a bit more expensive. You will have to choose the thickness of the foam. My foam is 3" thick which allows me to dig into the foam so that scenery can extend up to 3" below the track. With this particular thickness you can also run a highway or stream under the track (install a bridge here).

glue the foam sheet (i'm assuming your table and hence your foam are 4*8') to the plywood. I would also use roadbed under the tracks - I prefer AMI instant roadbed.

All of this wiil give you more scenery options and sound deadening as well. Hope I answered your question.