Locogirl,
My current On30 layout is entirely supported by Mianne benchwork and its my fourth layout with the same Mianne stuff so I can attest to its durability and portability. With a couple of the layouts, I have used half-inch plywood tops and it certainly makes the things sturdy as a battleship (about as heavy too) and I used the subterrain foam for grades and scenery. With the most recent layout, I am using 2" blue foam on top and it seems to have lasted for the five years of construction that I have put in to it so far. I use the subterrain system for a lot of the scenery, including grades (up to 3%), etc., and it all seems to be pretty cooperative (the 2" of foam allows me to do streams and rivers easilty, as well. Wiring just requires a little planning prior to installation of scenery. Even though there's a 2" foam base, you don't need to drill down to the buss, just dig a furrow in the foam, run your wires to the edge, where the buss can be conveniently located. Turnouts are another thing. I use manual ground-throws so I don't need to get to switch-machines. My layout is sort of E-shaped and walk-around with turning those manual throws works well for me.
Here's a picture of part of my layout. You can pick out just a little of the Mianne over on the far right of the photo. All the wiring runs across the top of the 2" base to the side where the buss is located (you can't see it, it's under the table).
Hope this helps.
Jim
Welcome to the forum, again.
I still use L-girder for the places where I have mountains and valleys. I built it sort of as a modular layout, though the sub road bed is all connected. I build the foam scenery on the bench and put it in in sections. That makes it portable as well as easy to fix. There are many pictures in my signiture.
For my engine facility, I started with a 4x8 piece of 2 inch foam and built up the grade with WS risers. They were great. I then filled in with pieces of foam.
I have tried it all over the years, and the foam is they greatest scenery material I have found.
Keep in mind the risers aren't just for grades. You use risers - usually 2" to 4" high ones - under all your track. Of course you can raise or lower the level with 2, 3 or 4 pct. grade sets.
With the risers under all the track, you don't have to cut out the plywood or work between the joists to have scenery below track level, like a bridge over a stream or valley. Besides the risers you put under track, there are sheets of foam you can use under buildings, towns etc.
I'd suggest taking a look at the WS video and/or book showing the system...especially the video/DVD, it's really a lot easier to understand when you see it being done. I used it on my last layout, and will be using it on the new one recently started.
Will you marry me?
The only thing I can add is I've used their foam roadbed and was less than happy with it...
loathar wrote: The only thing I can add is I've used their foam roadbed and was less than happy with it...
Actually, I've used WS foam roadbed and, after splitting it down the middle (to make smoother curves), I think it's easier to use than cork. I attach mine with silicone cement and pin it to the subterrain foam. It does require some patience, then, because it will take about 24 hours to dry before attaching the track.
Thanks for the positive comments on the layout.
Locogirl--
I've built the Rio Grande Yuba River Sub with a combination of open-frame and solid table construction using 2" foam for the base, and WS 2% grades and risers for the roadbed. The layout has been in operation for about seven years, and I'm really happy with the results. With the WS grades and risers, you can build as high as you want as far as grades, and the results for me have been rock-solid. The highest point on my MR is Yuba Pass, 18" above 'ground' level, and I run heavy brass articulateds a lot. I've had no problem at all with the foam sub-roadbed and risers, and the layout is pretty rock-solid.
Here's a photo of the East Side of Yuba Pass, everything under the track, which is 18" above table-top, is stacked WS risers. Works like a charm for me.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
wtf is Mianne? I've never heard this term before, and I've been reading MR for like, 15 years.
The Woodland Scenics subterrain stuff is awesome. I use it on my layout. The only thing to be noted is that you need to 'blend' your grades into the starting/ending height level. You need to sand a smooth vertical curve into the grade, because you can go from level straight to a 2% grade.... tracks don't bend like that, lol.
For working with foam scenery, this guy's Youtube series is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL (and pretty awesome)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=D1D4KBB_GC4
Theres like 8 videos in the series. Very worth a watch.
Greg,
Mianne is the maker of pre-constructed model railroad benchwork. They've been advertising in RMC and MR for quite a while. For those of us who can barely draw water, much less a straight line (and hate benchwork), the Mianne system is a godsend. I bought my original sections about 12 years ago, have been adding new sections since, and the stuff is supporting the fourth layout. It works great ...
Voila !!
http://www.miannebenchwork.com/default.htm