Cardboard terrain contour

[motofavorite]

I get plenty of cardboard boxes. If I don't have another use for one I break it down and recycle it. 

I am building a new layout and I wonder whether layers of cardboard could replace the current convention of layered foam sheets. I’m testing it on a little “trial size” layout, but I am not sure how it would scale up to a larger layout with taller terrain. The cardboard is cheaper than foam but it is also thinner, and more layers means more glue. It’s also denser. Deep gorges and tall summits could add up to heavyweight scenery.

Has anyone tried this?

[wazzou]

I think many of your own observations answered all of your questions, TBH.
It appears that it’s much more labor intensive to use the cardboard and certainly heavier.

[martink]

I use that sort of cardboard for all of mine, but they are small T or N scale layouts.  I doubt it would scale well for more ambitious projects.  Also, I don't layer it, but fold it over into irregular box shapes, often with an additional layer or two on top to pad and fill out holes.  It works very well for what I do, but for your purposes...   

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[motofavorite]

I use that sort of cardboard for all of mine, but they are small T or N scale layouts.  I doubt it would scale well for more ambitious projects.  Also, I don't layer it, but fold it over into irregular box shapes, often with an additional layer or two on top to pad and fill out holes.  It works very well for what I do, but for your purposes...   

I will try that approach too. Maybe some of my Amazon boxes will keep their original shape and act as scaffolding. They're meant to be strong in that shape. Thank you.

Also, that viaduct is gorgeous! Is there some place where I can see more?

[martink]

I will try that approach too. Maybe some of my Amazon boxes will keep their original shape and act as scaffolding. They're meant to be strong in that shape. Thank you.

Also, that viaduct is gorgeous! Is there some place where I can see more?

It works very well for long and narrow terrain, such as embankments or cutting walls, where the span in one direction is fairly short.  Use lots of PVA glue, and you can temporarily use nails to hold it while the glue dries.  A couple of plywood ribs to give the shape for more complex contours.  Overall, it is one of many viable techniques.

That layout was Sarum Bridge, my first attempt at T Gauge from 2014.  So, to see how the cardboard scenery worked out...

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[MegaBlackJoe]

I am thinking of laser cutting balsa wood in a similar manner, once I find the software that generates terrian by layer. It shall be safer for your health than the styrofoam which emits poisonous styrene when cutting it using a hot wire.

[davefoxx]

I would think that layered cardboard would be much more difficult to sculpt into a smooth landform than foam.  I do all of my foam carving with a 2" snap blade knife and smooth it with a layer of lightweight spackling.  Easy peasy.  No hot wire knife, and no fumes.

DFF

[Dave V]

I'm just imagining all that cardboard turning to goo when you soak the ground cover with alcohol and scenic glue.

[Hawghead]

I am thinking of laser cutting balsa wood in a similar manner, once I find the software that generates terrian by layer. It shall be safer for your health than the styrofoam which emits poisonous styrene when cutting it using a hot wire.

I can't begin to imagine the cost for the amount of balsa it would take to cover even a small HCD layout.

Scott

[MegaBlackJoe]

I can't begin to imagine the cost for the amount of balsa it would take to cover even a small HCD layout.

Scott

True, the cost of balsa can be high, but there are still places where you can get it relatively cheap. Alternatively, you can use some light wood like linden. The idea is to make it light and at the same time avoid harmful emissions. If you have a separate garage for the layout, this is fine. But in Europe most people have the layouts inside their homes or appartments, so having an extra source of harmful emission is not that good.

[dem34]

Is it really that much of a long term concern? I just wear an N95 and run a fan if I'm doing anything more than a couple inchs of hot knifing foam.

[nscalbitz]

Hi
As a one time QA Manager in a corrugated/ flexographic manfr business, yes corrugated board, especially the 'natural' papers not recycled so much, can be a very effective ground contour. Used vertically you bypass the layers problem AND glue use- hot melt is good enough, since its actually used to assemble things like some waxed boards.

I'd add a pic of my own test layout built mountain, but I've just archived everything RR hobby off to external backup and dont have them handy. Oops yeah I do from 2008- I kept the rear exposed to show how easy and useful it is recycling materials of all kinds:-
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cheers dave

[motofavorite]

I'm just imagining all that cardboard turning to goo when you soak the ground cover with alcohol and scenic glue.

Yeah, but at least it would be a flammable goo. Clean out the understory.

I used Florist OASIS foam for a small layout a few years ago.  It sported the obligatory mini-mountain with tunnel. I attached the plaster rock castings to the foam with hot glue. Then I mixed up a small spectrum of rock tones and colors, dotted them onto upper surfaces of the castings, and then drizzled turpentine down those faces.

The sweet smell of turpentine flooded the room, distracting me from the lava-like crawl of molten foam from pockets below the rock faces. Those rocks looked beautiful as I tossed them into the trash.

That's just one reason I desire to use the cost-free cardboard accumulating in my basement. Oil paint is sooo forgiving. At least until it hits foam.

[160pennsy]

@motofavorite ...If you have tons of cardboard, hot glue gun or stapler a roll of plaster gauze and some Sculptamold then test out this old school approach for deep gorges, mountains, etc..

[peteski]

On a more realistic note, I used Florist OASIS foam for a small layout a few years ago.  It sported the obligatory minimountain with tunnel. I attached the plaster rock castings to the foam with hot glue. Then I mixed up a small spectrum of rock tones and colors, dotted them onto upper surfaces of the castings, and then drizzled turpentine down those faces.

The sweet smell of turpentine flooded the room, distracting me from the lava-like crawl of molten foam from pockets below the rock faces. Those rocks looked beautiful as I tossed them into the trash.

That's just one reason I desire to use the cost-free cardboard accumulating in my basement. Oil paint is sooo forgiving. At least until it hits foam.

Turpentine (or paint thinner) is a relatively mild solvent.  I have never used Floral foam (too crumbly), but I'm still surprised that turpentine melted it.  Extruded polystyrene foam ( the blue or pink sheets which are often used for model layout Terra-forming) should not be affected by turpentine.  However lacquer thinner/acetone would melt it.