After a gazillion dozen sets of basic plans I'm tired of planning! Now I want to temporarily put down (one at a time) two different track plans and run some trains over them to get a feel for how they'll operate. Right now the table top is 1/2" plywood and will later be covered with 1/2" or 1" foam board as sub-roadbed. Want to use flex track as much as possible Using code 83, so no nail holes in the flex track Care to share best, good, or even barely workable solutions for laying down the track for just a couple days, taking it up and laying down a different plan?
Use a thin (THIN!) smear of caulking to glue the rails down. Weight the track while the caulk dries, when you're done with it you should be able to just pop the track up with a putty knife. I've heard of doing the same thing with diluted white glue, but have never tried it. The advantage there is that you just spray the track enough to wet the glue and it comes free. In either case, don't get the adhesive near the turnout workings.
Reduced white glue might work, but might also end up needing to be sanded after a couple test tracks have been laid and removed. Will keep it in mind. Silicone caulk/adhesive has been suggested in a number of articles I've read, but is for a more permanent bond. I think it is more aesthetically pleasing when using a brand that dries clear, so might come down to personal preference more than exceptional utility. Hot glue might be just the ticket, but I'll have to give it a short trial, first. Might be some concerns about pulling up small chunks of plywood when removing the testing track. Thanks for all the response. Each has been helpful!
Most flex track has holes in the BOTTOM of the ties. Just drill or punch the holes thru top side. But if not get a drill the same size as your nails & drill thru the ties every 6-8".
If it is completely temporary you might be able to get away with double sided tape or even rubber cement. Another option is to use elmers white glue. Glue it and pin the track down. It will hold the track until you re-wet it.
I'm wondering if I would use this method, caulk or white glue, and then decide that I would like to keep a layout as is, would just cluing down ballast be good to make it permanent? Or will more be required?
There has been a lot of discussion about how ballast holds track down. You may want to pin the sections while you ballast, but once it's dry it should hold. At the same time, there is a lot to be said for doing things right. Maybe you pull it up and relay with a firmer glue. My overall experience is that most of my experiments in model railroading failed.
Hot melt glue is the winner! Quick Easy Controllable Doesn't damage plastic ties Holds the track in place in curves and straights Easy to remove track if/when you goof Easy to scrape or pick of glue from track and plywood Not recommended for foam, but might work with cork. Although cork is a lot more absorbent than plywood. This idea deserves a medal! Thanks, BoxcabE50.
-A different solution - go to trainplayer.com and download the free 30 day trial. You need tracklayer. Draw your trackplan and build your trains. -I drew my trackplan in the program then ran trains as for operating potential. This brought to light where I needed an extra passing siding and runaround .
Great idea! Just might do that for the next on, but right now I'm working on remembering the skills necessary to actually lay the track.
I found very thin (like Scotch tape thin) double sided tape at Hob Lob that I've used to temporarily hold track and craft foam for roads down. Don't get the permanent mounting tape with the foam core - much tougher to pry loose. If you do put down your foam, I've found that Atlas track nails will temporarily hold down flex and turnouts pretty well even in foam. At least enough to get the glitches in the plan worked out.
Forgot - I have a pack of the sticky putty kids use in their dorm rooms for posters, etc. like MM mentioned above. Fun Tak or something like that. I bought it to hold track temporarily, but I haven't gotten around to trying it.
