What to Use for Fascia?

[SeeYou190]

Lakeshore Sub

Wow Kevin.  You still have a functioning Troller power pack!!!.   

I think I have more than a dozen Troller Transpak 2.5 units ready to go.

-Kevin

[Lakeshore Sub]

Wow Kevin.  You still have a functioning Troller power pack!!!.   

Have used 1/8 hardboard for my facia on both levels of the layout.  Found it to be flexible enough to bend around corners when wet and sturdy enough to use screws to attach panels and switches.

Scott Sonntag

[SeeYou190]

After experimentation with the product, I am going to use 5/8" PVC boards as my fascia. I can recess mount the power packs and the control panels.

-Kevin

[kasskaboose]

Another vote for masonite.  

You CAN bend it around cuves.  The trick is to wet (not soak) the back.  Additionally, you can pin it to the pack part before screwing it in.  

[dknelson]

gmpullman

Later I decided to cover this with a dark green indoor-outdoor ribbed carpet using latex carpet cement. ... The carpet is not at all expensive and is easy to work with. I bought mine at Home Depot and they cut it into 16" strips for me which made installation easy. 

I visited a layout where the owner had done this same thing - the inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpet covering the fascia -- and I have to say it looked extremely handsome and really gave a professional museum like look to the entire layout (as does the skirting below a fascia).

In terms of Masonite/hardboard, I have seen excellent examples of nicely painted Masonite/hardboard, but I have also seen layouts which leave it unpainted and assuming neat workmanship and relatively consistent coloring to the hardboard, it too looked neat and clean and professional.  I do note that the Masonite type stuff with a high gloss finish to the smooth side seems prone to having paint scrape off of it.  Years ago I bought a sheet of a Masonite/hardboard like product which had a different color, a bit more yellowish to the brown, and the surface was flat but matte to the feel, not hard and shiny.  I have been unable to find an exact match ever since.  So I am glad I didn't start in using that stuff and expect to find more.

I have even seen layouts where the fascia uses pegboard and again assuming neat workmanship, it can look nice.     

Dave Nelson

[freeway3]

riogrande5761

Masonite or Hardboard

Another 

This is my 1/8" hardboard, easily curved and contoured. Primed and painted w/ 2 coats of semi-gloss.

[gmpullman]

I had originally covered panels of 3/16 lauan plywood with dark green vinyl wall paper.

IMG_1333 by Edmund, on Flickr

Later I decided to cover this with a dark green indoor-outdoor ribbed carpet using latex carpet cement.

IMG_7108 by Edmund, on Flickr

IMG_7721_fix by Edmund, on Flickr

It holds up extremely well, does not scuff, reduces noise and is easy to keep clean.

IMG_0759 by Edmund, on Flickr

The carpet is not at all expensive and is easy to work with. I bought mine at Home Depot and they cut it into 16" strips for me which made installation easy.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMaster-Elevations-Color-Leaf-Green-Ribbed-Texture-Indoor-Outdoor-12-ft-Carpet-7PD5N620144H/203240737

 

Good Luck, Ed

 

 

 

[BigDaddy]

Ken Patterson uses 1/8" plywood, oak stained with 3 coats of polyurethane.  It looks really nice but if you've priced plywood lately, you'll be using 1/8" tempered hardboard too.

[mbinsewi]

riogrande5761

Masonite or Hardboard

  

Mike.

[riogrande5761]

Masonite or Hardboard

[JDVass]

Hi all. I am wanting to do the facia on my layout and want it to match the contours of the ground. But I don't know what the best material to use is. What do you use for yor fascia?