Rusty Rails Part Three - Terra Forming

 Taking a break from structure building (actually, just having trouble figuring out how to paint the Tofu Shed...), I diverted to laying down the basic groundwork.  Being a portable layout, I would be using extruded foam insulation boards.  This for several reasons; sound dampening, keep the weight down, and the foam is easy to work with for terrain effects.  For the base, I used two layers of .5" pink foam on top of the door.  I glued the foam with PL-300.  A good product but it takes a hell of a lot of time to cure and it has to have "mechanical assistance" when drying.  That took a day.

Now with a solid 1" foam base, I could add the next level for the industries.  Unfortunately, I hit a bit of a snag with this.  The track plan had tunnels, so a thickness of 3" is recommended for adequate clearance.  But the length of track for the grade is only 16" long.  Doing the math gave a very steep grade of 19 per cent.  Too steep as I did some experiments with the engines and wagons.  A few attempts later it was possible to have a 2" raised section, which was only a grade of 12 per cent.  Engines could do the hill with one to two wagons at a time.  But this meant the track plan had to be modified accordingly, so back to SCARM...

I removed the tunnels which caused shortening of the sidings, but on the plus side, I have now incorporated a three-track fiddle yard to the left.  Visually hidden of course by various scenery elements.  It was then off to the DIY and get some 2" styro-foam.  I chose a less dense material for the upper area as I will have to drill access for feeder wires and such.  After some time on the old three-wheel bandsaw,  I glued down the upper level with the same adhesive and left that overnight.

Now with the base in full build, it was easy to see how limited the space was.  But this is basically a beginner's layout; starting from scratch.  I haven't done anything like this since the late '70's!  And while on the subject, I have noticed how much has changed.  Spent many hours watching and reviewing instructional YouTube videos.  There are many new techniques since I bought those how-to books from Kalmbach!  

The final visualization was to cut out the track template I had printed to sort out the track plan.  I also placed some engines in various spots and located the Tofu Shed.

The 4" level will be section of town or village, with a staircase down to the track level.  I plan on running a Rail Car there between freight shunting.  That shed takes up more space than planned, and now with the limited space in the industrial area, I am going to have to revise what trades I will model.  Originally there was to be a truck facility/cargo transfer, Tiberium refinery (we can revisit that concept/back story another day...), and of course, the junkyard.  The junkyard won, so the entire right hand side will be the knacker's yard.  It will make for some very interesting flat car loads!

 I'll be "excavating" the base foam to give it more depth, as some if will be a dumping ground.  Also some of the tracks currently on ground will be replaced by bridges, as well as various gantry cranes and other equipment.  All those older sci-fi kits will have a new purpose.  Luckily I am well stocked in rusty paints, washes and pigments!