Woodland Scenics

[plasticman]

Hi,
On my first layout, I was thinking of using the woodland scenics foam inclines and risers. Anyone have any input on this product? pros - cons? Any other product to use instead of woodland scenic?Woodland Scenics seems to be pricey because of there name. Any kind of foam board will do? Or, is there foam "specially formulated for cutting with a electric foam cutter.

my goal is to put together a fairly simple layout , no fuss no muss, with a limited small budget. Thanks again

 

[CP9302]

The only real con is the price. The risers are a very easy to use system.

If your incline is small, you can use foam insulation board and sand it down to create the grades you want. Cheap and easy, but very very messy!

Another way to get inclines is to cut the plywood base and use risers to raise and lower it.

 

[UP2CSX]

If you're a beginner, there's no better way to get smooth grades than using WS risers. There are about a hundred ways to do grades but all them require a lot more skill and patience than the WS foam risers. In this case, I suspect that WS has a patent on the design and that is reflected in the price since you aren't likely to se a similar product.

There's no such thing as foam of the same type that's easier to cut with an electric foam cutter. Some types of foam, like extruded foam known by the brand name of Styrofoam, is probably the easiest. What a lot of people cal Styrofoam, like the white stuff used for disposable coffee cups, is actually bead board, and that's probably the most difficult type of foam to use and cut.

 

[CBCNSfan]

Any other product to use instead of woodland scenic?Woodland Scenics seems to be pricey because of there name. Any kind of foam board will do?

Well I guess it's all about convenience, that's why the $$. Probably most of us here use the pink and the blue types of foam board used as insulation on buildings, it can be carved and shaped and I believe it can be shaped with one of those electric cutters. Myself I just use a sharp knife, most of it gets covered with scenery anyway. I've never used the Woodland S stuff so I can't really give you any pros (except it might be easier) and the con is it costs $$ but you already know that. I used plywood for the sub roadbed on mine and cork for the roadbed, filler for the scenery is foam pieces covered with plaster.
There should be more members along shortly ,who have experience with the WS blocks and first hand knowledge of what they're worth.
Cheers Willis

 

[TWhite]

Count me in as a fan of WS foam risers. I've used them extensively on my Yuba River Sub, and they make for really smooth grades. They come in 2,3 and 4% grades, and can be intermixed as per the instructions on the boxes to make almost any grade you want. Mine are between 2 and 2.4%, and I've been very happy with them. They can also be built up as high as you desire by using the 4" foam base under them.

I have about an 18" rise from level to my highest elevation, and it's almost all WS foam risers. Looks scary until you put in the scenery, LOL, but it works.

Here's a shot of Yuba Summit on the MR--the track is laid on stacked WS risers. It's about 18" above layout level.

They work REALLY well.
Tom

 

[plasticman]

thanks guys for all your help. ive been leaning towards the woodland scenics. i'll keep you posted. Thanks again!