Corrogated cardboard as a layout base (over plywood)

[Anonymous]

Dismantling HO layout to begin construction in a new bigger space soon. Considering the use of cardboard box materials as a scenery substrate over a plywood base to make my contours. I model the coastal region of South Carolina so I only need slight contours with raised track bed and lower lying drainage ditchs. Any thoughts on this? Seems much easier to shape (cut with scissors and stack and glue), about the same weight as foam, much less messy and its free.

All input appreciated.

[Jetrock]

It has been used before--it is heavier than foam, but an older style of scenery called "hardshell" is often based on strips of corrugated cardboard, stapled to the layout base and bent to create contours and hills. Sheets of paper towels dipped in Hydrocal plaster are draped over this to create the scenery itself.

The disadvantage of using corrugated cardboard like foam in creating contours: It is heavier than foam, because the layers are only 1/4" thick you'd have to use 8 times as many layers as 2" foam (at least), and you'd still need to cover the cardboard with some kind of scenery treatment (plaster, Sculptamold, drywall mud, etc.) to cover the contours themselves--whereas foam can be shaped directly and have paint and ground cover texture applied directly to it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I was planning on covering it. 2 inches would probably be my max elevation. Avoiding mess (cutting foam) and/or fumes (hot wire cutting) were my primary issues along with expense. I seem to come accross a lot of cardboard and stacking it similarly to the contour lines on a map seemed kind of neat.

[Medina1128]

The other concern I would have is how long would it take for glues, plaster, etc to dry with that much cardboard under everything. I have found that commercial remodeling construction sites a good source of foam. They just throw it away. Sheets and sheets of it...

[Jetrock]

Cutting that much cardboard would probably make quite a bit of mess.

Hmmm...I'm gonna have to go raid some construction sites for discarded foam!

[chateauricher]

I'd be concerned about the amount of moisture the cardboard will absorb, either from the air (of particular concern in humid areas); or from the plaster used to make the landscaping. Cardboard tends to warp and even disintegrate when exposed to moisture.

[Anonymous]

What is everyone's experience with foam life span? In my experience, I have seen foam in other applications (cars, speakers, etc.) begin to crumble/lose its "structural integrity" after about 10 years. The construction foam seems to be more durable and has held up well in the instances where I have seen it after 10- 15 years. It does sound like the cardboard idea has its limitations.

Thanks for the input.