Allan Miller posted:For many years and many layouts, I have always used a plywood sub layer with two-inch-thick Extruded Polystyrene (pink or blue) on top, and either cork or Woodland Scenics foam roadbed under the track. There are a number of adhesives available that will glue foam to plywood and foam to foam (or some other material). I cut/carve the foam with saws, old serrated kitchen knives, and hot foam cutters (the latter leave no mess at all). I have never been concerned much about noise reduction because real trains make noise and I don't mind my model trains making some noise as well. I have never found that the noise caused by the underlying materials has detracted much from the train sounds (chuffs, roars, horns, whistles, bells, squealing brakes, etc.).
Allen, when you use the hot foam cutters, how is it with fumes/vapors coming off of it? I am thinking of using that in shaping foam based scenery,but my layout is in my basement and doesn't have the greatest ventilation in the world (though I could use an exhaust fan in the one window I have to vent it as needed).
