Thanks Steve! I’ll try it next time…
I am using earth to raise my layout. Is there something I can use to fill the cavity other than earth. I have quite a bit of the denser Styrofoam and had thought about using that. Question, would it want to float after a heavy rain? Any feedback would be appreciated. Regards, Dennis.
Dennis; Welcome to LSC…
Have you checked out the OVGRS web page at: www.ovgrs.org
We are also here in Ontario, namely in Ottawa, and make extensive use of raised roadbed. Most of it has been in service for over 20 years, and we pride ourselves with having few if any derailments, (Other than operator errors) while carrying on railroad operations, every Saturday, during the Summer months. This past Saturday was our 17th operation this year.
Fred Mills
Steve, sure a nice layout you have there. My lot is flat, so I have a flat/slightly raised layout, wish it was taller!
Thanks, Jerry. Its been fun. I’m sure glad I don’t have to bend over, much.
Dennis Brown said:
I am using earth to raise my layout. Is there something I can use to fill the cavity other than earth. I have quite a bit of the denser Styrofoam and had thought about using that. Question, would it want to float after a heavy rain? Any feedback would be appreciated. Regards, Dennis.
Yes, Welcome Dennis! Interesting question you pose, and the first time I that I’ve heard an idea like this. Since you have it and I’m sure would like to get rid of / use it, I say give it a shot. I’d test with a small section first, if you can stand to wait before moving on the the rest. I would try to stack it neatly (flat and level with overlapping joints) Next I would lay large flat stones (flag stone) across the joints in the top and then cover it all with dirt. I think the weight should keep it all down and I think it would probably drain quite well. Please report back if you attempt this. To me this is a very interesting strategy.
Dennis Brown said:
I am using earth to raise my layout. Is there something I can use to fill the cavity other than earth.
How high do you want to raise it ?
The “problem” with foam is that insects, namely ants, like to tunnel through it. I saw a sheet, that was stored outside in a shed, that ants had turned into swiss cheese. With it buried in the ground, it could become home to a real nice colony of ants.
On my raised reverse loop, I stacked bricks on either side of the surveyed roadbed. I built up on the outside and inside of the loop with dirt. For the roadbed, between the stacked brick, I used broken concrete (from a slab that was in the middle of my yard) and rocks of various sizes. Then I filled that in with some dirt, and laid my track on that, with ballast. Over the years I have had a few spots settle a bit, but they were easily fixed with more ballast.
“…I used broken concrete (from a slab that was in the middle of my yard) and rocks of various sizes. Then I filled that in with some dirt, and laid my track on that, with ballast. Over the years I have had a few spots settle a bit, but they were easily fix…”
Similiar here with the BatheValle being comprised undergrd of the former bathtub (summer 2000 bathrm reno). And then topped off to grade with the overlying alpine mix.
The base fill of the four summits is comprised of cinder blocks, topped off again with the overlying alpine mix.
When the house if sold in the (far) future, the new owners if not continuing to utilize the railway site as a rock garden, and decide to level or reposition things will be shocked (^%#@!!^%&*%$) to find all this unorthodox fill 
!
Doug, and I figure, in my case, that will be the new owner’s problem.
Tires would work.