I am currently building an N-scale module to Australian "NTRAK" standards. One major departure from accepted practice is the material I chose for the benchwork - BALSA WOOD!
When I worked in a hobby store I used to sell balsa wood to aeromodellers. They obviously use this material because it is LIGHT and STRONG (relative to the loads imposed on it).
I got to thinking "why do we N-scalers use such HEAVY material to support the light loads we have running over our layouts?" (assuming the use of lightweight scenery material, not plaster).
I decided to build a "concept" module using balsa to explore the advantages/disadvantages of this medium for OUR hobby.
I have found it a snap to work with - easy to carve, saw or slice with a hobby knife and easy to pin/glue together. It does not swell with moisture (like chipboard).
The 100mm x 10mm balsa "boards" which form the base of the module are light yet strong. The top surface of the module is comprised of 100mm x 5mm balsa sheets glued edge to edge (one wide sheet of balsa would have been easier if it was available).
Pictured (right) is a photo of the module showing my progress so far.
It is easy to build the roads and "concrete" yard aprons up to rail height by simply gluing another sheet of balsa on top of the module ("T" pins, as used by aeromodellers, hold it in place while drying). Then the roads, which I make out of sheet H.I.P.S (high impact polystyrene, painted grey) are glued down.
The white road markings are made by painting masking tape flat white. This is then sliced to width with a hobby knife and applied to the roads. (I've also used white 1/16th Letraline flexible tape as well). The sides and centre of the roads were then airbrushed with Floquil Earth and "oil stains" added down the middle of each lane using graphite shavings from a grade "B" pencil (dry brushed on with a small hobby paintbrush).
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