Help with Fixing a Second-hand layout

[modelrailroadforums]

I purchased a relatively inexpensive 4x8 foam/plaster of paris (?) layout with two tunnels, raised track etc. Yes - doing it from scratch probably would have been better, but I don't have the time, nor patience.

It needs quite a bit of work to get it to the point for painting, scene construction, etc. There are components that need support as they are spongy. Other parts need thicker plaster of paris or whatever it is that is used to form the hills, city underlayment, etc.

Some questions:

1. I was thinking of adding a bit of expanding foam (used at home to fill cracks, insulation, etc.) underneath those areas that need support. Any better product? The foam, if inserted modestly, will probably do the job, but....

2. The plaster of paris that was used over various cloth elements of the layout needs more layers. I could simply go with plaster of paris, but suspect there's something more professional. What I would really like is something sprayable.

3. Are there any sections on this site that have escaped me that would be a good overview of scenery construction?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[RW&C]

Working over someone else's mistakes is sometimes tougher than starting fresh. But, assuming the important stuff is there, it shouldn't be too tough to make what you've got into a workable base.

The important part is the roadbed. Basically, is the track (or where the track will be) on solid ground, or at least on smooth foam? Are the grades reasonable, smooth, etc?

If the right of way is built right, the scenery shouldn't be too tough. Many people use plaster of paris, though something like Sculptamold is the more professional way to do it. Pick up a few cartons of drywall patching plaster at the hardware store, and a few rolls of paper towels. You can mix up a watery (think pancake batter) batch of plaster, soak a few towels in it, then lay them out to cover the hills and whatever else. It'll take a few layers. If they're all soggy, leave them to dry and then plaster over them. You may want to slop some plaster over the whole thing after the towels have dried. I don't know of a sprayable scenery product, and I suspect it would make one hell of a mess.

Expanding foam's not a bad idea, but keep in mind that it won't stop expanding just because it filled the void. If you get the high-expansion stuff, it could blister the surface around it. (And the normal stuff, I know from experience, goes on like whipped cream, and doesn't expand much. It sticks quite tenaciously though.)

There are many scenery methods. The basic process as I understand it is to cover anything that shouldn't be scenicked (track), then paint everything else dirt color, then start adding textures. Texture can be anything from ground foam to sawdust to unscented kitty litter. Then plant a few trees, roads, buildings, ballast the track, and you're in business. It's an art, so don't expect to do it all in an afternoon and have it look good. On one of my tests (see below), I painted the base brown, sprinkled sifted sand into the wet paint, then used a 50/50 white glue/water mix to bond ground greenish foam to that. A few trees, bushes, maybe a little static grass, and you're in business.

If you have a few scraps of foam at your disposal, shape them a bit and slap some scenery on them. Just try stuff. Make your mistakes on your test pieces, not your layout, and write down what you do so that you can replicate (or avoid!) it later. There are many excellent books on model railroad scenery, and I suggest you buy one or two of them.

Can you post a pic of what you're up against?

 

[Capndick]

A pic would be good...from what you posted trying to resurrect something that doesn't have a solid framework to begin with will run you out of the hobby pretty quickly, it will never be right.
I'd salvage any good stuff and start from scratch using accepted practices.

Dick

 

[Trussrod]

Say New user, 'A user name would be good to decide on.' The moderators can help.

There are two issues that may be involved in working with the layout you bought.
1st. As mentioned above the road bed should be of firm foam to give a solid base for the track.

2nd. What are the radiuses that are in place and will they allow you to run the kind of trains your thinking about. Depending on the radiuses, no less than 18" in Dia for HO or 36" from Center to Center for some of the smaller locomotives, a simpler way is to measure from the outside of the far outside rail to the outside of the near inside rail at the half circle point to give you an accurate measurement, for others of the smaller locomotives at least 20 or 22" radius is required again for HO.

Hope this helps.