Bob's Layout Techniques????

[drjohn691]

Hey Bob,

Love your articles and videos.  I put up a piece of Mianne benchwork (8 by 12 feet) .  I have attached 1/2 finished plywood on top and then glued 1/2 construction foam over the top.  Now I am lost.  I have Gar Graves track and Ross turnouts.  How do I attach the roadbed and track to the layout.  Glue the roadbed but how do I attach the track?  Woodland scenics risers look good but they do not make them in O gauge and also I hear they are very expensive.  I am ready to give up as I don't know how to proceed from here.  Any help appreciated.

[Bob Keller]

I glue the roadbed down, then use screws to hold the track in place (Lionel Tubular and RealTrax).  I have used Liquid Nails to secure Atlas O track to the roadbed and this worked quite well (i.e. needed a long screwdriver to rip up the roadbed when replacing track).

We've used Woodland Scenics risers on the last two project layouts, so they work fine with O gauge track.

You might want to re-read the story, I think most of the details are in the article.

[drjohn691]

Are the risers wide enough for O Gauge, Bob? 

[Bob Keller]

Well, yeah. Check the image on page 50 of the March issue for a visual of the width.

[Demay]

Dr John,

Woodland Scenics does not make the risers in O gauge, but as Bob said, you can use them with O gauge.  If you do not feel they are wide enough to use, you can always place two of them side-by-side.  I understand that may increase the cost so you may want to consider making your own risers out of foam.  I created an incline/decline on my own and it was easy and cheap. 

If you search the forum you will find many threads covering track and how to secure it.  I use Lionel Fastrack and I was able to secure mine to the foam with screws.  I have no experience with Gargraves and I did not need to use roadbed since it is built into the Fastrack.

Regards,

Joe

[drjohn691]

Do the screws really hold into foam?  I can't imagine them not stripping and spinning in foam??

Thanks Fellows....

Bob, will you be at York?  Coffee on me

[traindood]

Hey Dr. John:          I use Gargraves track and Ross switches also. I have a 3/4 inch plywood base with Midwest cork roadbed. All my track and are screwed down. My two cents: if you don't screw it down you'll pull your hair out later with track moving around a bit here and there. Just find the right screw to penetrate through the track, roadbed, foam and base. By using screws you can always fix real easy if you make a mistake.  If you glue it down, you'll regret it later!!  later.     

[drjohn691]

That picture of Bob scares me.

[Demay]

Dr John,

I'm glad someone who uses the same type of track as you posted.  The screws I use are just long enough to pass through the Fastrack and into the foam.  I do not go through the foam into the plywood base because that would negate some of the sound deadening effect.  The screws bite the foam enough to prevent shifting (Fastrack does not shift too much because of the built in roadbed), but if you are concerned about it you could use some Lock-tight or other foam safe adhesive on the end of the screws to give the screws extra bite. 

Bob is a very mysterious fellow. 

Regards,

Joe

[drjohn691]

Perhaps Bob is CIA???

[Buckeye Riveter]

drjohn691

Do the screws really hold into foam?  I can't imagine them not stripping and spinning in foam??

Thanks Fellows....

Bob, will you be at York?  Coffee on me

Yes, screws really do hold into foam.  Mine have held now for over 8 years.  I used deck screws and drywall screws.   All the track below is held to the foam by screws. 

Months later

[Bob Keller]

Nope, Carl & Kent. I believe Carl and Roger will be going in fall, so maybe I'll be there in spring 2012.

[Penny Trains]

drjohn691

Perhaps Bob is CIA???

CIA?  Nah, CTT!    OK, dumb joke but somebody had to make it! 

Becky

[drjohn691]

I will begin to seek out some longer screws as advised and see if I can grip the plywood in spots.

I just have no idea what to do on risers....ready to take the whole thing down and just run on the floor.  Really wanted this to be relaxation but it is getting complicated.

Thanks

[Demay]

Dr John,

How much of a rise are you trying to achieve?  There are plenty of people on this forum who can help. 

Don't let a small change of plans wreck your whole idea either.

Joe

[Brutus]

Hey man - you can literally just get a sheet of that foam, slice it into strips with a long straight edge and a razor knife, and then glue together to the desired width and shave down into the angle you want.  It will be a bit messy!!!