Building new layout

[gwg50]

so u put this foam down then put the track on top of the foam?

[cnw1995]

A Hearty Welcome gwg! The old track should be fine - I've been using track made before WW2. I'd look over the trains though to lube them appropriately. This foam you've heard of is insulation foam - not styrofoam - you can find 4 x 8 slabs of it in colors like pink and blue in home centers throughout the northern US in thicknesses ranging from 1/2 to 3-4 inches. You can glue them in stacks to make hills, carve them to make tunnels or rivers - cover 'em with plaster or paint it. You have to get the right foam glue at the same store - it'll be where you find sealants and caulk. I would recomend buying some - maybe some broken pieces that sell for practically nothing - and put it right atop the plywood and see what you think. I've used them to 'level off' the raised crawlspace where I have my layout. I got 8 or 9 of 'em.

[gwg50]

The last time I did a layout was in 1978 and I just put it on plywood. It seems that a lot has changed since then. What's this about foam? Do I need to put some kind of foam down on top of the plywood? The layout is all 4’ wide in a U shape the back 11’7” the right come out 10’8”, the left comes out 7’8”. I would like any help that ya’ll can give me. I hope its ok to use my old track from my last layout. It’s been in boxes since 1980, with my 4 trains. Gary