Hi all,

I am close to starting the work on the roadbed on my layout. Based on the prototype (Pasadena), the majority of it has the mainline on the same level as the surrounding terrain (ie roadbed / terrain on the same level) while in small parts the track is paved  and the railhead is flush with the terrain (depot, crossings etc). Based on photos, even the sidings on the main depot area are on the same level as the mainline (while that is not the case in other industrial and/or passing sidings, in different areas of the layout)

I know i want to have styrene as the top of all (non-rural) surfaces and then laminate/add layers for roads / pavements etc.... in a modular / removable way so that i can work on everything on my workbench.

Q1: I wonder though if between the styrene top and the plywood subroadbed below i should use cork, craft foam or styrene (most expensive and heavy solution). I am talking about the scenic areas and not the track which is just cork (5mm or circa 1/4") roadbed.

I am also wondering how i should optimally tackle this.

1. Install cork roadbed in strips as normal and build up the terrain around it to become flush with the roadbed. (foam & styrene? Cork & styrene? Thicker layers of styrene alone?

2. Place sheet cork all over the benchwork plywood top and then add sheet styrene adjacent to the tracks, leaving cutouts for building foundations...

3. Other?

I understand that where buildings/foundations are going to be placed, i am leaving things without extra layers so that i got room to play with elevations / slopes etc... so that i can have a level foundation while the whole terrain (including plywood) is sloped.

Many thanks for your time /help

Yannis