Foam Board?

[Anonymous]

I'm looking to add some elevation to my layout which is in N-Gauge. I'm not very good when it comes to carpentry work. I was wondering if foam boards are a good way to add elevation to a lay out and if so what type should I use? If there is any other way to add elevation to a layout please let me know. I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thank you for your advice.

[Anonymous]

By add elevation do you mean put in hills an such or do you mean have the train climb up a grade? I learned long ago that N does not climb well. On my layout I try to keep things almost level and give the illusion that the train is climbing.
The easiest way to raise the grade is to use open frame bench work with risers. You don't have to be much of a carpenter. If you want to work in foam check out N Scale Magazine May/June 1999 for a complete faom layout. In constructing a layout using this type of construction I used foamcore under he top of the layout to raise parts of the foam. I cut the foam like some people cut plywood so that part will rise up. Good luck both foam and N have a lot to offer.

[Anonymous]

Try using Woodland Scenics inclines. They worked great for me, since I did not want to calculate degree of inclines. Also I have used a very usfull inline guage I got through Micro Mark. It tells me what degree of incline I am making. This has helped me stop from bulding to steep several times.

[Anonymous]

I recently picked up a layout book put together by Model Railroader. One of the suggestions they made was using foam insulation boards. This makes it super easy to work with because they are firm and easy to make your cuts. Not only did they use it to build elevation and hills, but they also used it as the base, and cut out river beds.

The boards can be purchased from any lumber store, and I don't beleive that they are that expensive. It should be much cheaper, and easier to work with than making wood platforms.

Mike Oryszak

[Anonymous]

I bet I read that same article and have tried the foam approach. However, there should be a warning on those articles. While using the material for landforms and the like has worked out fine, I strongly urge caution in usinf the material to place any track on. I followed the directions and used "Liquid Nails" and everything went fine . . . until I decided to change the track plan in the area. The road bead came loose from the foam readily, but would not seperater from the track. I checked with the company that makes the glue and tried mineral spirits as suggested. After soaking the track and leaving overnight, I was able to get some pieces seperated, but only a few. So, while I would agree that foam is a great material for scenery, traditional roadbed is still the best.