Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should use for a base board on my new layout? Wood? Foam board? Plastics?
-Thanks
Posted by lynn (Member # 533) on :
Jesse, I don't know if I can do you any good or not. There's a lot of guys know more about this than I do, but I can give you the results of my tries. It doesn't look like anyone else is. I have used plywood, foam, homasote, and plastic. I have got to where I don't like cork roadbed (personal preference), and plywood is too hard and noisy. I am fixing to start a new setup, and I will probably use some plywood in spots, mostly homasote for (most) of the roadbed, and some thick foam for hills and such. If I can get the right foam, I'll use it in spots for rails so I can carve specific type ditches along the right of way. At least this will tell you how I intend to go, so use your own judgement and I think you'll do just fine. Lynn
Posted by lynn (Member # 533) on :
Jesse, I forgot. On foam or homasot, if you use nail on the track, dip them in glue first, they hold a lot better and don't tend to back out Lynn
Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :
I am working on my fourth railroad. I tend to like the old tried and true plywood base. I like the "cookie cutter" method. I use cork roadbed glued to the plywood. As Lynn said, it is a little noisy. But I would rather have more strength, even if it is a little more noisy.
Dean
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Posted by shamus (Member # 657) on :
Hi Jesse,
All wood used in the making of a baseboard has got to last for years, so get the best wood possible. Seasoned wood is the best, as it will not warp. The size of the wood is also important, I, like most other enthusiasts, use 3" or 4" by 1" for all main frames. 2" by 2" I use for the legs . The meaning of open grid baseboards means just that. If your baseboard size is an 8' by 4' your open framing will be every foot. This allows you to build below as well as above the baseboards for scenic details. More on this aspect a little later. See fig 1 for a drawing of the open grid baseboards. Fig 1 Represents one 8' by 4' layout. The size of your layout might not be an 8' by 4', it might be smaller or larger. What ever size you make it, just make sure that the open grid baseboards are spaced at one foot intervals. The RED squares in the corners and around the edges represent the 2" by 2" square legs. Once the baseboards have been made, you must now make a decision on what material you are going to use for the track bed. I personally use 1/2" chipboard with 1/2" insulation board on the top. One reason is for strength (The chipboard) and the other (Insulation) for easy pinning of track pins when laying the track. Once the chipboard and insulation is in place, now is a good time to paint the insulation board an earth colour. Apart from anything else, the insulation board will be sealed and easier to cut and it looks nice also.
