February 1, 2017
Update February 7, 2017
Updated March 6, 2017
I can’t seem to find either the pink or the blue foam sheets anywhere near Hemet, California. I see modelers online using foam sheets in 1/2”, 3/4”, 1” 11/2”, and 2” thicknesses. It must be a regional thing—it appears to be readily available back east.
I made some progress in my search, though. I’ve identified some brand names for the foam.
The pink foam is made by Owens Corning and their product names are Foamular 150 Rigid Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation and Foamular 250 Rigid Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation. The only difference I can see is that the 150 has a compressive resistance of 15 PSI and the 250 has a compressive resistance of 25 PSI.
Update March 6, 2017: According to the Owens Corning website, the square-edge Foamular 150 is available in 24” × 96” and 48” × 96” sheets in 1”, 1 1/2”, 2”, and 3” thicknesses. The square-edge Foamular 250 is available in 24” × 96” and 48” × 96” sheets in 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/2”, 2”, 2 1/2”, 3”, and 4” thicknesses.
Home Depot sells Foamular 150 in 1/2” × 4’ × 8’ sheets, but according to their website, not within 100 miles of my zip code.
The blue foam is made by Dow Chemical and their product name is Styrofoam Brand Square Edge Insulation and apparently, it’s only available in the United States. (It’s possible that there is a U.S.-only version and another version for the rest of the world.) Like Foamular 150, Styrofoam is made in 2’ × 8’ and 4’ × 8’ sheets, however, Styrofoam is available in 3/4”, 1”, 11/2”, 2”, 21/2”, 3”, and 4” thicknesses.
Neither Home Depot nor Lowe’s sells Styrofoam.
Lowe’s does carry Cellofoam’s Poly Shield expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation in 4’ × 8’ sheets in 3/4”, 1”, and 11/2” thicknesses. According to their website, Lowe’s Hemet store has 58 sheets of the 1” in stock and they can be found on aisle 51 in bay 9. I’ll have to check it out and see if it’s what I think it is. I’ll update this post with my findings.
Update February 7, 2017: Elson T. (Metro Red Line) left a comment telling us about Foam Sales and Marketing in Burbank. Their contact info is:
Foam Sales and Marketing
1005 W Isabel Street
Burbank, California 91506
(818) 558-5717
Click here to see it on Google Maps.According to their website they sell Dow Styrofoam square-edge extruded polystyrene (blue) foamboard in 24” × 96” and 48” × 96” sheets in 1/2”, 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/2”, 2”, 3”, and 4” thicknesses.
I didn’t know you’re in Southern California too! I live in Los Angeles and found a foam source in Burbank. Their prices are somewhat higher than Home Depot, but then again you won’t find it at Home Depot anywhere near you. This company sells foam in bulk to the TV and movie studios which uses them to make sets and props. But they can also sell small quantities.
Visit: http://www.foamsalesandmarketing.com/ for more information – They have the Dow blue foam in all thicknesses and can cut the foam to a size where it can fit in your car. And since you’d be out there anyway, do visit The Train Shack and Burbank’s House of Hobbies, and stop by the East Valley Lines club layout at Travel Town in Griffith Park!