Safely transport and store model trains: Customizing pick-and-pluck foam in 6 steps
May 07, 2026
Materials & Tools
Step by Step: How to Customize Pick-and-pluck Foam
Place the foam on a clean, flat surface. The top surface shows a uniform grid of pre-scored lines — these divide the foam into small individual cubes that can be pulled out one by one. The foam consists of two layers: the scored top layer (the picking layer) and a solid base plate underneath that supports your object.
Place your model upside down (underside facing up) on the foam. This exposes all protruding parts — the chassis, wheels, couplings and gears — so you can account for them in your tracing. Make sure to leave at least 2–3 rows of cubes as a border around the model to keep the frame stable.
Using a light-coloured paint marker (e.g. Edding 751), carefully trace around the full outline of your model. Think in grid units: follow the scored lines and round outward to the nearest grid line. Pay close attention to protruding details like couplings and axle ends — add extra notches in your tracing for these areas.
Grip a cube at the edge of your outline, give it a slight twist and pull upward — it detaches cleanly along the pre-scored lines. Work your way inward cube by cube. All cubes inside the marked outline are removed; everything outside stays in place.
Place your model — now the right way up — gently into the cutout. It should settle in snugly and be held firmly on all sides without needing any force. Check every side: no sensitive parts should protrude above the foam edge. Remove additional cubes if needed until the fit is just right.
Place the finished foam insert with your embedded model into the case. The solid base plate slides in flat and keeps everything in position. Your model is now safe, shock-protected and completely secured in its custom-fit form — ready for transport or long-term storage.
The Perfect Result
Pick-and-pluck foam is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect fragile models professionally. No glue, no cutting, no special tools — just trace and pluck to create a perfectly tailored insert. The method works equally well for locomotives, cameras, drones, tools, figures and many other objects.
FAQ: Pick-and-pluck Foam for Model Trains
Pick-and-pluck foam is a pre-scored foam where small cubes can be removed by hand along built-in grid lines — no knife or scissors needed. It is used to create custom-fit protective inserts for fragile objects such as model trains, cameras, drones or collectibles.
Place your model upside down on the foam, trace the outline with a paint marker, then remove all cubes inside the marked area by hand. The process typically takes only a few minutes and requires no special tools.
No special tools are required. All you need is a paint marker (e.g. Edding 751) to trace the outline — the cubes can then be removed with your fingers.
Pick-and-pluck foam works for any fragile object with an irregular shape: model trains, cameras, drones, tools, figurines, musical instruments and all kinds of collectibles.
Once cubes have been removed, they cannot be put back. It's best to work conservatively and remove additional cubes as needed. For a different object, a new foam insert is required.
Ready-Made Cases & Pick-and-pluck Foam in Our Shop
For most model trains we already have ready-to-use solutions. If you have a special model or want to build a fully custom case, we have the right Pick-and-pluck foam for you — available loose or as a set.
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