Hello Model Train enthusiasts! I am starting my layout (3 1/2 feet x 6 feet). I have the table built consisting of a sheet of plywood on legs. For my scenery, I thought about having a 2-4 inch sheet of extruded styrofoam on top of the plywood. Then I could carve out the landscape as needed. Another model railroader did not think that was a good idea. (reasons: how to attach to board, how to attach cork roadbed / track to the styrofoam). So my quetion is: Has someone done this? If so, were the results good? Any problems that you encountered that I have not considered? Any feedback / advice would be appreciated.:tb-biggrin: Thank you
Assuming you mean the white foam, that's how I've done mine. Some glues will eat into it. I've used Fuller's Max Bond here in Australia. It comes in a cartridge. Just be sure to get something that's intended to glue polystyrene. I use it to glue down the trackbed, and also to glue the track to it. You have to weight it down while the glue sets. The white foam is easily dented, so don't lean your elbows on it or you can end up with annoying hollows [some are useful!] and obviously you get a mess when cutting it. Not the end of the world, though. Many modellers frown on its use and I'm sure there are better things to use - such as the blue and pink foam I've read about - but it does the job and it's cheap. Around here, if it can't be done cheaply it doesn't get done at all. Mike
I have used the white expanded cell foam for scenery with spackle on it, but I don't use it for under track. I am lucky that here in the Dallas area, we have a company that specializes in Dow Corning foam boards. anything from 1/2" to 6" in 2 by 8 and 4 by 8 foot sheets. Everybody here uses the 2" blue closed cell foam board and it does the job. Matter of fact, my entire sectional layout is built on 2" blue foam. If you go on the net, search for SOUTHWEST VAULT BUILDERS website, they deal with many sales offices across the US and may supply one near you. Their prices are about 50% of the home depots, etc. since they sell to them and then the store marks it up. I am sure that some will tell you differently, I have only been building trains for...over 50 years..and this is the way to go now. Woodie
If this is the beaded/white stuff, I'd agree with Woodie. Don't use it for other than scenery. Although even that can be a pain as the beading creates a mess. If it's the pink or blue stuff, that should be just fine for roadbed and mounting. For gluing foamboard down to wood, attaching cork, etc, I've used Liquid Nails "Projects & Foamboard" adhesive.
The pink and blue foams are good , but possibly consider cushion foam . It's free . Yes I said free .....at your local reupholstery shop . They throw the old stuff away which is better than new remnants I think . The enclosed pic shows a mountain made entirely of foam . I built up the base with the bead board foam because it wouldn't be showing anywhere . I then glued , using foam glue in a cartridge , the cushion foam on top and used el cheapo powder paints and washes to finish . Terry
