Benchwork - Roadbed
"Cátia's Branchline" Benchwork... doubts!
Hi all.
I have come to a halt on my layout, because I am full of doubts, and I hope that you could help me clear my mind.
I made the benchwork for my around the walls shelf layout using 1 x 2 (sort of) lumber, and placed a nice subroadbed made out of plywood. But I am having second thoughts about this.
An Approach to Butt-Joining Rigid Insulation Foam
I decided a while back that I would use rigid insulation foam to support the scenicked (non-roadbed) areas on my layout (at least in the flat areas). I later decided to use 2" thick foam to match my spline roadbed's height without having to resort to shimming. I'd previously tried stacking two layers of thinner foam and assumed (correctly, as it turned out) that the thicker foam would provide a more solid base between benchwork supports.
Help wanted - looking for a post with a photo of cardboard scenery
Not very long ago, a couple of weeks or so, someone posted an interesting photo from his layout showing a tight cardboard web instead of the usual mesh for making the basic form for scenery.
It looks more like some cut foamboard to scenery contours and glue them side by side.
I have searched through many posts from the last weeks, but not been able to find this photo.
Can anyone remember this and point me to the right link?
Even better if the builder can come forward and tell us more about his technic.
Building a foldable yard for PNW FreemoN
Another project! The guys in the Freemo group really REALLY want a yard to be able to support some operations. Up until now, we have pretty much been in "proof of concept" mode and getting all the modules bullet proofed. We have attracted some new active participants and now have a pretty decent length of run and variety of industries, and a couple of other yards that are under construction.
A friend helping me out with the ballasting. His method was so quick and nice I just had to make a tutorial.
Hi!
This passed week I got help to ballast most of my lines. My friend had such a nice and quick method, which ended up with a really realistic and nice look. I just had to make a video helping me to remember the routine for next time. Maybe it can also be of help to others, like it did for me.
Foam benchwork
I'm about to start on an HO layout.I figure it's about time since I'm turning 71 this month. If I ever hope to get something going I'd better start soon!
I'm considering foam on top of plywood as a base. How thick of a layer of foam does one need to model the Midwest?
What TYPE of foam is recommended? I've seen polystyrene at Menard's. Anu problem with it other than using adequate ventilation when cutting with a hot wire?
Thanks, John
Tour-Induced Lighting Improvements and T8 LED Retrofits
My layout is on a self-guided tour this weekend in conjunction with my NMRA Region's convention ("Rails to the Capital" - MCR). Like most people, an event like this can lead to a flurry of work; in my case that involved rushing some mock-ups of some of the industries in Circleville, the current focus of the layout. One thing, of course, always leads to another; the mockup work, specifically some reasonably precise plan-drawing and foamboard-cutting that requires good light, made the known weak lighting spots very obvious and somewhat problematic. I.e., I need
Hawaii Island Railroad
Umauma Railway & Navigation
The Umauma (pronounced Ooma ooma) Railway and Navigation along with the subsidiary, the Umauma Plantation Railway, is a common carrier on Hawaii Island. It draws inspiration from the Oahu Railway & Land Co., the Hawaii Consolidated Railway, Ltd,, Hawaiian Ag, and the many, many Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii plantation railroads.
Spring Update
A busy spring has slowed progress on the railroad dramatically. Goals for February were pushed into March, and then into April. Despite this, some progress has been made. I will quickly run through what has gotten done, and my plans for the summer.
Add realism by ballasting your tracks with integrated roadbed
Hi!
I have found that Styrofoam sheet sidings of the track with integrated roadbed both fixes the track in position and adds a good amount of realism to the scene. In addition the track remains free from glue, paint and is preserved in state as new. Very good for both future layouts and when it´s time to sell the track pieces second hand. 
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