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Woodland Scenics Foam Roadbed

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Chesapeake, Virginia
  • 226 posts
Woodland Scenics Foam Roadbed
Posted by BobL609 on Monday, January 24, 2011 9:11 AM

I will be using WS foam roadbed for my layout which is currently under construction;  I have only found sheets of the foam roadbed in addition to the roadbed itself...what do you use under the switches?

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: Newmarket, ON Canada
  • 334 posts
Posted by Aralai on Monday, January 24, 2011 9:33 AM

I use the roadbed and cut the angled piece with an exacto knife to fit. It cuts pretty easily, and if you cut it on an angle to match the bevel - you can match it up nicely.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, January 24, 2011 9:57 AM

Aralai

I use the roadbed and cut the angled piece with an exacto knife to fit. It cuts pretty easily, and if you cut it on an angle to match the bevel - you can match it up nicely.

Yep, that is exactly what I do.  Instead of the sheets, I use the rolls of roadbed.  As Aralai indicated, tapering or beveling the sides is key to making the ballasting easy to apply.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Chesapeake, Virginia
  • 226 posts
Posted by BobL609 on Monday, January 24, 2011 1:17 PM

I appreciate the assistance....thank you.

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: Newmarket, ON Canada
  • 334 posts
Posted by Aralai on Monday, January 24, 2011 1:32 PM

I should have clarified - I use the rolls - well actually the sectional roadbed. I only used the sheet for my yard area.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,484 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, January 24, 2011 1:34 PM

I have a section of my layout where I have 4 parallel tracks, closely spaced.  It's intended to be either a staging yard or an operational yard, or one or two tracks used for through traffic.  In any case, I bought some sheets of the WS foam for this, and it worked out quite well.

I had a bit more than I needed, so I cut some to use under my turnouts.  It also works well for this, and you avoid some of the lumpiness or gaps you can get by imperfect trimming of strip roadbed.  Really, though, it doesn't make much difference.  You might try buying one sheet to see how you like it.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, January 24, 2011 2:07 PM

MisterBeasley

 You might try buying one sheet to see how you like it.

True, but the cheapest way to buy it per foot is the roll.

Rich

Alton Junction

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