Laying track

My layout seems to be progressing pretty well. At this point I have some sub-roadbed down, some roadbed and I will lay some track in the next few days. The how-to books suggest using white glue to fasten the cork roadbed and it works very well. Can I use white glue or Liquid Nails to fasten the track???
Howard

 

Howard,
Water-based glues take forever and a day to dry. Imagine holding a piece of flexed track (sprung like a spring) in place until the glue dries. Some people use Liquid Nails to glue down the track and like it.

Personally I nail it in place using a large nail set with a dished end to push the nails in. That way I can pull the nails and adjust the track to my heart's content. I glue it in place by ballasting the track.

Mark in Utah

 

LN holds the track down real nice, just put pins in between the ties to keep it in place when its drying.

 

Thanks guys.......I have ruined track while trying to hammer the nails in. And if the diameter of the nail is small enough to fit the hole in the ties, it bends easily.

 

Depends on what brand of track you are using. I used Walthers Code 83 on my layout over precut Homasote from Homa-bed. I 'spiked' it in place. Once the ballast dried, I went back and pulled out most spikes to keep sound from transmitting to the plywood. (I read that somewhere and tried it)

Anyway.. the track has held up nicely. As to whether or not it is actually quieter because I pulled the spikes out after the ballast dried... ehhhhh.. who knows. I can't tell a difference.. but I like the looks.

 

DON'T pound in the nails with a hammer. I've been able to push them in by hand using a large dished-head nail set. You can gently push the nails in. If you can push in pins to hold the track, you can certainly push in the nails.

If you push the nails in too hard you'll push the ties into the cork, and this will change the distance between the rails. Just something to watch out for.

Mark in Utah

 

Kit Bash, Nice pic!!!! Whats with the speed trap behind the wall in the back?

 

Ahhh yes. The speed trap. Late 40's early 50's "Radar" you might say. OR... that could also be the "nit-picker" police making sure I did my track right!

 

I tried L.N. and made a mess. It oozed up between the ties. Then I tried some small brads pushing them into place with the nail set. But I haven't completely given up on glue. For my next trick...........I'm going to try some contact cement. My local hardware store has PL 200 and PL 400.......no 300. Is there an appreciable difference?

 

I used Elmer's Pro-Bond with fantastic results. Apply a bead where the center would be and with a putty knife flatten it out to about the width of the ties. Then pin it in place until it dries (6-8 hrs). The stuff has great strengh but yet can be re-done if necessary without too much straining.

 

Thanks Jamison, I'll give Pro Bond a try. Does it leave any stain on the cork roadbed? Do you apply the glue to every tie?
Howard