Hi all, This is my first time using road bed on a layout and need some more information about it. First off, I know that you would trace the track and lay the bed over that, but what method would you recommend using to secure it to the benchwork? Thanks for any suggestions that you may have.
Matt, On some of my older layouts I tacked it down and it worked OK except if you had to move it. Lately I have been glueing it down with carpenters glue, it gives you a little working time to move it around if you have to. I have also seen it done with Elmers white glue, so if you want to move it later you can soak it down and pick it back up.
Thanks Andy, not sure which method I'll use, but am kinda leaning towards the Elmer's white glue. Thans
I have always used Elmers white glue. I just run a thin bead along each half of the roadbed and use push pins to hold in place until set. I find this very easy to do.
I concur. Wood/carpenters glue for durability and permanence, white is pretty good othewise. I love the wood glue because its bulletproof, but it has the same qualities as wood glue during application. Make sure to have LOTs of pins handy to hold stuff down while it dries.
I am with the rest of the white or wood glue school. I use the foam roadbed to add the proper profile to layouts built on the blue insulating foam. White glue does a nice job of laminating the cork roadbed to the foam. You do need a lot of pins to hold the roadbed in place while the glue sets. Allow a few days for the glue to dry completely, as the water has trouble finding a way out as it evaporates.
If you are newer to track design and laying, you might want to consider using AMI. The reason I say this is that I have changed my mind several times now that I have laid the track on about 45% of my layout. In the first instance, I decided my yard area was to much a "switching challenge" than an efficient yard design so I changed the yard by adding on and modifying - easy with AMI. In another area, I've decided my interchange track is too short and I could work it into a "live" junction, again no big deal because I used AMI. If you decide to use it, buy one scale higher then divide in to so as to cut your costs in half. So for example, I bought HO and cut it in two to double the amount in N scale. AMI is sticky on both sides.
Thanks for all of your suggestions guys. They are greatly appreciated and will let you know what I choose to do and how it turns out. Thanks again Matt
