I'm finally ready to start putting the track down on the Enfield and Eastern and I came across the subterrain, incline and roadbed system from Woodland Scenics on the Atlas website - just browsing... I follwed the link to the WS site for further info. It looks like a nice way to raise the terrain and the roadbed looks good - better than cork or homasote. The only thing...it's a really expensive system. I don't want to invest a lot of money into something then have to throw it away because it won't work. I've some couple of questions... Has anyone used this stuff? How do you judge how much to buy? Is it easy to obtain - besides WS directly? How do does one tack down flex-track on to the roadbed and not have the nails pull out and the track untwist? Can I find a generic version of this foam at art/architectural supply stores such as Charrette - especially if I need to buy alot of it (not the roadbed so much as the subterrain blocks)? I'm excited about this next step in my lay out. It's been about 16 years since I built my last one! Thanks much in advance. John
I have experimented with Woodland Scenics Subterrain in HO scale. However, its use would be the same in N scale. I like it. In the areas where I have used it I use nails only for the temporary installation. When I am ready to lock it in I use glue. Either the WS Foam Glue or hot glue work well. After I determined the placement of the risers or inclines, I glued them to the base. Next, I put down the roadbed (I use the foam rubber.) and track and pin them down with the long t-pins. (WS calls them foam nails or something like that.) When everything is tested and ready, I use hot glue to put down the foam roadbed, then hot glue the track to the bed. I hope this helps. ------------------ Peirce Behrendt Southbury, CT peirce@ibm.net
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peirce: I have experimented with Woodland Scenics Subterrain in HO scale. However, its use would be the same in N scale. I like it. In the areas where I have used it I use nails only for the temporary installation. When I am ready to lock it in I use glue. Either the WS Foam Glue or hot glue work well. After I determined the placement of the risers or inclines, I glued them to the base. Next, I put down the roadbed (I use the foam rubber.) and track and pin them down with the long t-pins. (WS calls them foam nails or something like that.) When everything is tested and ready, I use hot glue to put down the foam roadbed, then hot glue the track to the bed. I hope this helps. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thank you very much for your information. Did you use flex-track? I'm afraid of the track pulling up and away from the roadbed. (creating a wash-out kind of effect). - John
Yes, I use flex track wherever possible. I also use a liberal amount of glue, even if it shows between the ties. It will be covered with ballast later on, in almost all cases. You can use track nails or t-pins along with the glue to help prevent horizontal shifting. I believe the t-pins would be the better choice on the foam base because of their greater length. They can be pushed in against the ends of the ties and painted to match the ground color or the tie color. I haven't had any problem with track pulling up, as yet. My installation is fairly new, so it hasn't had the test of time. ------------------ Peirce Behrendt Southbury, CT peirce@ibm.net
Hi John, I have used the Woodland Scenics trackbed in N and HO scale and I must say it is great stuff to use! It does not warp even when you bend it in whatever direction. I would recommend it. ------------------ Paul Van Herwegen Rappannahock Terminal Railway
Glad to help. There is now only one thing left for you to do - have fun! .. .. .. .. ------------------ Peirce Behrendt Southbury, CT peirce@ibm.net [This message has been edited by Peirce (edited 13 August 2000).]
Thanks to all you've all been encouraging and helpful... Sorry I didn't get back sooner. We're moving at work and all I've done is sleep when I get home... Anyway, I'm off to a great hobby store in Tyngsboro, The Hobby Emporium, on Saturday to start collecting my stuff. They specialize in N-scale equipment. John
