Ways to build inclines over a foam layout surface?

[nickelplate759]

I'm building a layout on a base of 2" foam over 1/4" plywood with appropriate structural support.  I wanted the thick foam base for two reasons - relative rigidity with light weight, and so I can dig down below grade a bit where the scenery calls for it.   The 1/4 plywood is for structural rigidity of frame frame (think gusset plates) and to give me something substantial I can screw to when I install things like switch machines.

Now I need to figure out how to make inclines for the track.  I know Woodland Scenics sells nice flexible incline kits, but they only come in  2%, 3% and 4%.    The 2% kit will work pretty well to reach my elevated track, but I happen to also need (approx) 0.5% grade, used for a 0.5" change in elevation; it will also be curved (16" radius minimum).      I'd like suggestions on how to do that.     Options I've considered are:

1.  cut or sand Woodland's Scenics' 0.5" flexible base to the 0.5% grade - this seems like it would be hard to do, but maybe I'm wrong.
2.  make something similar out of scrap blue foam (I have lots!).  This seems especially messy, but inexpensive.
3.  make a ramp out of something stiff like Masonite, and put shims under it to support it.

If anyone has already solved a similar problem, I'd appreciate the opportunity to learn from you.

Regards,
George

[Scottl]

I used foam risers and glued the 2" foam on them to get the grade I wanted.  It is easier than trimming a long length of foam board to resemble the WS grades.

[C855B]

I think Scott is saying the same things, but your solution is here, in pictures: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31558.msg350214#msg350214

The trick is to cookie-cut the incline and then put riser blocks underneath, between the foam and underlayment. Added benefit is that it also solves a very tricky engineering problem, easements in a vertical curve.

[nickelplate759]

Hmmph.  Wish I'd asked BEFORE I glued down the 2" base 

Any other suggestions, given that the base is glued down?

[DKS]

Any other suggestions, given that the base is glued down?

Just add another 2" layer. Won't hurt one bit, and you'll have ample below-grade scenic opportunities.

[robert3985]

Just add another 2" layer. Won't hurt one bit, and you'll have ample below-grade scenic opportunities.

I LIKE it!

[MichaelT]

Check out Dave Foxx's Seaboard layout thread. How he built his inclines on his HCD layout is very cool and looks great.

[OldEastRR]

Working with foam should be thought of as working with plywood in the old traditional layout -- cookie-cutting the foam and putting it on risers. This also applies to putting roadbed foundations -- you can cut a long piece of foam as your incline only as wide as the track, and fill in the empty space on both sides with scenery (more foam base) later.