In the July 2014 issue of MR, Louis Sassi showed how he built sectional benchwork using 2" blue extruded foam insulation board topped with 2" thick Woodland Scenics white foam.  Many articles explain how to use just blue or pink foam and WS uses just their foam on top of the benchwork.  Lou explained that the blue foam had more rigidity and the white foam is softer and easier to shape.

I am in the early planning stages of building my first layout (should I call it the Chainsaw a Central?). I'm thinking of using XPS foam as a subroadbed material. Reading posts from the U.S. seems to get it from their local hardware "barn". That doesn't seems the case here in Australia. The two big stores (Bunnings and Masters) don't seem to carry the stuff. Where can I get XPS foam in Melbourne? I live in the south-eastern suburbs. Thanks.

After I put down my roadbed of homasote I realized I forgot to super elevate my curves. So I had to do it after I laid down my roadbed. The first method I tried I thought was working great. I put down a thin strip of masking tape all the way around the curve. Then I kept adding layers of tape making each layer shorter than the previous layer. But after laying down the tape, I did not get back to it for a couple of days. And I discovered when I put down the tape I was stretching it. And it shrunk causing the tape to come off the roadbed.

Many modelers have little space and even less area to use as a work space. When building even a small or modular layout this lack of resources can present a problem. The home supply store can precut your lumber, but not always to your exact needs. Sometimes you only need a single cut. Also, in most layouts & modules, holes are needed for various reasons. Tools can be used in your living space. but can create a mess. With a set of cordless power tools many outside areas can be used for cutting and assembling a layout frame.