ve3ho.ca/Z-scale/american%20page%205.html a page on my web site covering my construction of a light weight 2 x 4 Ft layout.. based on Rokuhan Show Layout plan S but expanded to fit a 2x4 3 inch thick pink foam block. regardz Garth
Garth, I have to ask: your call: ve3HO, is that by accident? A nice easy layout that all newcomers to Z ought to take a look at. Mark
Garth, I am planning my first Z scale layout and was planning on using the same methods you have used with the foam base and Woodland Scenics risers to a max of 2% grade. I was wondering if you experienced any excessive noise when running the trains. I have always heard that the foam amplifies the sound and was wondering what your opinion was.
I have not noticed any noise problems, there is standard clicketty click at rail joints as I use metal wheels but I do not consider this a problem. The only thing I have seen is when using Michael's Cleluclay if you put down too thick of a layer over a Styrofoam riser it does not dry out properly, you get a hard crust but below crust it is still wet and you eventually get shrinkage which shows on surface, so I have been using plaster cloth over riser before adding track and ballast, and I use a fan blowing over layout to enhance drying.
I have a small section on my current project that has an added section that did not get a plywood base. The original base had 3/4" foam and 1/4" ply. When I built the addition I had 1 inch foam. I skipped the ply so things would be level. That one section was louder that the rest of the layout, but I think the 1 inch thickness is part of the reason. . Also the base frame that surrounds that added area makes it like a drum head. Thicker foam and scenery will probably solve that issue. I might not have noticed without hearing the transition of the loco travel onto and off of the the added section. Trey
