Jim,
About a year ago,(I think I related my experiences on this list) I built
two 6' modules for our club layout using Gatorfoam. I used 1/2 inch
brown surfaced material. BTW, Gatorfoam is trade name, but I don't know
if they have any competitors. At this time the only variations are the
color-white, brown,& black and the thickness.
The photo and display business's have been using the product for 25+
years without any deterioration in the product or it's strength. I
convinced Jack Troxell to use it on his second level when I first heard
of it. He was able to lay track on a 2' X 8' section in workbench
fashion then simply lift it up and insert on the upper level. I think
he used double sided tape to fasten the track in position. Small
plywood pieces were used to splice the units.
I was able to reduce my weight by about 50% by using this material over
straight 1/2 plywood. My modules are about 20 lbs for the 6' length.
I used standard 1 x 4 for perimeter framing, 1 x 2's for a couple of
cross members and standard Homesote for most of the trackwork. I just
don't think you can build much lighter. I haven't compared the weight
of the Gatorfoam to traditional 2" foam, but if I was a betting man, I
would put my money on the Gatorfoam.
The product has two downsides--cost and it can be punctured fairly easily.
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
On 5/17/12 8:05 AM, Jim and Cheryl Martin wrote:
Hi Bill.
The article was an introductory piece about the numerous sizes and
types of Gator foam and their applications for model railroad
construction...buildings, bases etc.
As I get older, my Free-Mo modules seem to be gaining weight. I plan
to retire my current modules to the basement after next January's
Springfield show, and I'm thinking of building new ones out of Gator
foam board. I'm trying for a target weight of 10-15 pounds per module.
If the article can't be found, I can find websites on how to glue it
and use it.
Thanks
Jim Martin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Bill Rigsby <[email protected]>
*To:* [email protected]
*Sent:* Thursday, May 17, 2012 3:04:06 AM
*Subject:* Re: {S-Scale List} Help please
Was that the article about the use of form board to lay track work on?
Bill
--- On *Sun, 5/13/12, Jim and Cheryl Martin
/<[email protected]>/* wrote:
From: Jim and Cheryl Martin <[email protected]>
Subject: {S-Scale List} Help please
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, May 13, 2012, 8:41 PM
I've been looking for an article that I believe was in RMC a few
years back on using Gator foam board. I've scoured all my back
issues but have come up empty. Can anybody provide me with the
date of the issue this article was in?
Thanks
Jim Martin
