starting new layout

I haven't built a train layout for over 25 years and have gotten the bug again. I used flex track and cork roadbed and secured it all with brads. I have drawn up a plan for N gauge on 3 1/2 x 6 foot platform and no planned elevation changes with two main lines and one trolley with a yard (mostly for show, not so much functional). What track would you recommend and outside radius for passenger cars. Also, could I glue say 1 inch foam to plywood and glue track to the foam with or without roadbed? Was looking at some videos and thinking of using plaster paper.

You can do search.

The quick and short answer is up there in the upper right corner at the very top you can see the MRH search.  Enter PL300 and a number of posts will appear with plenty of reading.  You will read about many preferences for glue and foam. You best buddy is one or two containers of WS foam nails.  Those help hold things in place until the glue dries.  You pull those out once things are dry.  Then you can reuse.

I prefer the Loctite PL300 for the foam and laying down track. I had an N scale layout that used 3 inches of blue extruded foam on top of a specially built bench work.  That allowed for rivers and creeks below the track.  The roadbed was a layer of 3M Camper tape with a layer of WS foam roadbed.  Each layer had a very thin layer of PL300 to glue it down.  Once each layer dried I then added the next and finally topped the foam roadbed with track.  Atlas code 55 track has a better profile.  It looks more to scale.  PECO code 55 will allow you to run older equipment with the deeper flanges.  It also holds the curves better that you bend it to.

Atlas or PECO? It is your choice.  As far as the radius of the curves, the bigger the radius the better the trains will look.  Try to stay away from running track parallel to the bench work.  Also, try to leave space between the track and the bench work edge for scenery.

Use the search feature to find many answers to your questions.

Den

beginning again

Thanks Den. I am not ready to start doing anything so have time to research. Your information was helpful.

Steve