Solid Top Baseboards.

The advantage of a solid top baseboard is simplicity and strength. The material used for the top surface should be relatively soft and easy to work, inexpensive and able to take track pins. This top should be supported at intervals no greater than 12ins to avoid sagging. This top should be fixed down to the framework using a mixture of glue and screws. The presence of a solid work surface means that the modeller can layout the trackwork before fixing it to test the configuration, plus wherever the track is placed it will be supported.

The disadvantage is that it is more awkward to build a layout with different levels, especially ones that go below the top surface, and because the top covers the whole framework weight becomes a factor, especially if the layout will be portable. If tracks are only required to be above the bottom level these can be easily supported on risers. If tracks are required to go down below the top surface you will need to remove the work top where required and cut into the framework, this must only done if you have designed the framework with this in mind or you will create a weakness that you may regret at a latter date.

Open Top Baseboard.

The advantage of an open top board is its weight and its versatility as you are not confined to one level. The basics of this design is a top surface is only applied to where track is required to be placed or where support is wanted for terrain or other features. Using this method is particularly useful if you want to model hills, mountains or ravines, etc. The track bed is supported on risers which are attached directly to the framework. Another advantage is that electrics can be easily applied from above the layout as there is nothing in the way.

The disadvantage of this design type is that there is no surface upon which to test your design beforehand, so a lot more planning is involved. Also because of the lack of a 'solid' top a little more bracing needs to be used in the framework.