Decoynh--on flat land I lay track straight onto the foam. On grades, I run the luan supported by foam blocks underneath (with the foam blocks gradually changing height as dictated by the grade). Then I lay Midwest cork on top with the track on top of that. It "seems" like it should be a good system. But we will see--the jury is out.
My last HOn3 layout was by the book--L girder benchwork supporting plywood with homasote on top. I foolishly did not wear dust masks when building it and I have been dealing with the respiratory issues that ensued ever since. It was all my fault. Homosote on plywood is a great base for a layout. But I am so spooked now that I knew I would never do anything like that again. Then I started the new layout on the foam and I have never looked back.
My "benchwork" is even more off the track (pardon the pun!). It is a metal frame that started life supporting tape racks in Blockbuster! I bought the used frame to use building a trade show display. It was sitting around after the my last trade show was long over and I said "hmmmm....looks like sturdy benchwork to me!" The metal frame has worked out very well indeed. Solid all around. But I took precautions to bolt the sections together instead of just using the pot metal clamps that Blockbuster used. I would never risk crawling my 265 pound bulk onto the platform. But I have come close!
With the metal frame, another bonus is that the frame and legs are all around the edges of the platform. Underneath is mostly clear (I added some center support legs just as a precaution). I built several automobile-style "creepers"--taller and more comfortable-- to lay down underneath, looking up at the underside of the platform. There is plenty of space underneath to "ride" the creepers from one wiring hub to the next. Such luxury!
Laziness is the mother of invention, right? Or do I have the quote wrong?
Don Merz
