If you have portable baseboards and want to hide the gap between them when the layout is joined up this tip I saw on an exhibition layout could be just the answer.
I see a lot of layouts at shows. They’re naturally often made of sections (for portability) which are then joined up to make the full layout.
However, there’s often a nasty gap between the boards which ruins the look.
I saw a great solution to this problem at a show recently.
With the boards together spray expandable foam along into the gap. Let it set a little and then separate the boards. The foam will hold the shape of the gap where it met the other board but be fixed to one side only.
Once it’s dry paint and colour the foam so it blends in with the scenery around it.
Next time you put the boards together the foam will fill the gap and being slightly elastic it’ll flex as the boards are pushed together.
I’ve not tried it myself yet but it looked good – the gap between the boards was far less obtrusive.
I’m not sure which layout it was on so if you see it please let me know and I’ll update this.
> A final, personal, note: I spend a huge amount of time testing, photographing, writing and researching techniques for these articles and pay for all the running costs of MRE out of my own pocket. If you found this article useful you can support me by making a donation on my fund-raising page. Thanks and happy modelling, Andy.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.