Moving the immoveble object

[spookshow]

It shouldn't be too difficult to disassemble the puzzle pieces. As mentioned above, the various sheets of foam are held together with nothing more than white glue and a bit of plaster cloth to hide the seams. So, I'm guessing they'll pretty much just pull apart after I slice the plaster cloth. Also, I don't foresee having to cut any wires. I'll just paint the ends so I remember which terminal panel they came from (re voltage) and then unscrew them from the terminals.

-Mark

[CRL]

Since it sounds like your wiring goes through the plastic tabletops, I would be sure to put the seams between the tables and leave the foam attached to the tables. When you get where you are going, then you could use a piece of plywood or foam to help splint the foam back together.

[spookshow]

Upon further review, taking things apart at the original seams is not going to work. I'd forgotten that one of the sheets is 8' x 4', and no way is that getting up the stairs. However, after staring at things for a while I'm starting to see some natural places to cut the foam that shouldn't wreck too much havoc (basically limited to turf and/or dirt areas). Should net me five manageable chunks.

In the meantime, now I have to go try to match a 20+ year collection of locomotives and rolling stock to their original boxes. I tell ya, this is not the most mobile of hobbies 

-Mark

[Chris333]

one of the sheets is 8' x 4', and no way is that getting up the stairs.

-Mark

How did it get down the stairs?

[spookshow]

When that 8'x4' section went down the stairs there was nothing on it and it was OK to bend it. I suppose it could still make it back up the stairs, but there would be a significant risk of damage to the modeling. Also, the seam at the left end of that piece runs right through my soybean field and I sure don't want to mess around with trying to cut through that 



-Mark

[davefoxx]

Mark,

If you're going to try to avoid cutting the layout at the seams in the foam, I would suggest using something like construction adhesive (that's safe for foam) and gluing something to the underside of the layout across the seams to reinforce them.  I would be concerned about the weakness of white glue and plaster cloth, if that is all there is holding those foam seams together.

DFF

[MVW]

When that 8'x4' section went down the stairs there was nothing on it and it was OK to bend it. I suppose it could still make it back up the stairs, but there would be a significant risk of damage to the modeling. Also, the seam at the left end of that piece runs right through my soybean field and I sure don't want to mess around with trying to cut through that 



-Mark

I hope you have crop insurance! 

Jim

[CRL]

Here’s a thought for your soybean field problem.

Go ahead and split the field in half. When you reassemble the field, cut in & model a drainage ditch bisecting the field at the joint, and then model 4 culvert crossings for your traveling sprinkler system. I’ve actually seen that done in the 1:1 world.

[Steveruger45]

What about making a cut parallel to the track along the edge of the ballast such as to save the whole soybean field area as its own section?
Rejoining it again might be easier to disguise then.
At the same time this could also reduce the overall length of that 8 foot section to make it easier to move that part up the stairs too.
Just a thought.

[spookshow]

These two cuts should work well for that section -



Just turf and dirt for the most part. Size is good, soybeans are unmolested.

-Mark

[spookshow]

How about one of these for making the foam cuts? If it slices more than it melts it seems like it could get the job done pretty well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html?cid=paid_google|||60313&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUeq_kwmdkOz_iKiS_6xGzBRL3qF9hWu3lvyBfIAb7xRNA2zHEmYo8xoC_ugQAvD_BwE

-Mark

[C855B]

When that 8'x4' section went down the stairs there was nothing on it and it was OK to bend it. I suppose it could still make it back up the stairs, but there would be a significant risk of damage to the modeling. Also, the seam at the left end of that piece runs right through my soybean field and I sure don't want to mess around with trying to cut through that  ...

Might I suggest proper modern farming practice by scraping off the soybeans altogether and rotating this field to corn for this growing season? 

[spookshow]

You might, but I'd probably have to smack you upside the head for doing so 

-Mark

[Philip H]

How about one of these for making the foam cuts? If it slices more than it melts it seems like it could get the job done pretty well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html?cid=paid_google|||60313&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUeq_kwmdkOz_iKiS_6xGzBRL3qF9hWu3lvyBfIAb7xRNA2zHEmYo8xoC_ugQAvD_BwE

-Mark

For that price i'd say try it on a scrap of foam.  If it works you are in business.

[Steveruger45]

How about one of these for making the foam cuts? If it slices more than it melts it seems like it could get the job done pretty well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html?cid=paid_google|||60313&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUeq_kwmdkOz_iKiS_6xGzBRL3qF9hWu3lvyBfIAb7xRNA2zHEmYo8xoC_ugQAvD_BwE

-Mark

My concerns are the same as yours. It probably works well for soft foam but for styrene foams that we use I think it will melt more than cut.