Benchwork to Accomodate Underpass?

[AL1]

I recently put the final touches on my layout plan, but need a way to make a highway underpass with the rail above, then come back to a level area with the railroad. I will be using a drywall joint compound that I found in the garage for my roads..

I also attached the trackplan since the above is hard to explain. The road will be under the tracks at the top right, approximately 1.5ft from the end of the shelf.. The road will head towards the backdrop, then turn left into the town. It would need to be level again 5ft from the right edge of the table.

Anyways, what kind of benchwork would I need to accomplish this? I am using plywood for the rest, do I just drop this section down a bit? Would I need a curved ramp to make it level again?

 

[wheeler1963]

Frank, have you considered using the 2" Styrofoam rather than plywood? It would make what your attempting to do a bit easier.

Also, can you draw your road in on your track plan?? If I'm following you right, the road will be at the corner across the curved section of track???

 

[Larry]

I agree w/Jerome about the foam. But, I have done it w/plywood before. I cut the plywood on both sides of what is going to be the road & then pushed it down to the depth that I wanted. I then blocked it w/2 pieces of wood so it would stay & then added the remaining road to the other side. I have also used mirrors in a tunnel to give it depth. Don't cut the plywood at the bend.
Styrofoam would be better though if you haven't put down plywood in that area.

Larry

 

[UP2CSX]

I'll third the idea of using 2" styrofoam on top of the plywood. This makes doing things like adding an underpass as easy as carving a ham. If you want to stick with just plywood, do as Larry suggested. For a smooth curve into and out of the underpass, I'd suggest using .020 sheet styrene cut to size and secured to the two at-grade plywood sections and the below grade plywood section with latex caulk. Sheet styrene is much easier to use for roads in general than drywall compound, which is messy and hard to get level. A cheap source for good quality sheet styrene is those "For Sale" signs in Walmart.

 

[AL1]

Thanks everyone for your input.

I have decided that I am going to stack 2" foam board in two layers, then have my track on top of it. That way I can carve out my underpass area and also my creek.

I thought about using styrene for roads, but the problem is I like for my roads to be level with the tracks when they cross, so I generally use drywall compound (which I have never had problems with).

 

[UP2CSX]

Frank, cork or foam roadbed under the styrene road surface does a fine job of slowly rising the road surface to the the track level at a grade crossing. You can fill in the shoulder with fine ballast, which is just what a real road would look like since they are laid over a sub-roadbed of grushed gravel.