Laying track and wiring on cement patio

[barclaysierra]

Until I decide what to do with the backyard, I've decided to put my LGB and Aristocraft brass track on my very large cement patio, so the grandkids and I can have some fun in the interim. Besides using railclamps for connections, does anyone have any ideas on how to run the wiring to various locations? Can't bury it underground and all of the ideas I've come up with will look even tackier than the setup on the patio. Eventually, I will add DCC so will have the track powered.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[tangerine-jack]

Run the wire under some outdoor carpet. Maybe some astro-turf style would be good- you could make that into some low cost scenery, maybe throw a farm on it real quick.

Depending on how large an area you are talking about, you could either lay the carpet down like throw rugs, or for a larger area, carpet the whole thing and poke holes for the wire wherever you need to.

have fun!


[oX)]

[Anonymous]

Checkout the preformed roadbed by Aristocraft. It is a thin plastic formed into a shallow tray that holds the track. It is hollow under the edges and could easily conceal the wire. However, it could get pricy if you needed very much of it.
I think the product is targeted at people who want to put down a layout on carpet. so trains do not leave a stain on carpet.

[tmcc man]

i would go with the new lgb preformed roadbed,but i am not going to buy it because i am putting my permanent garden railway in over june.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I've had success tacking track to block wall using a dab of clear silicone caulk every 2 - 3 feet, then pressing ties down into it. On curves did a dab at each end of a section and 1 in the middle.

You could run wires along expansion joint or tooled crack, then run bead of gray silicone over them to hold them down in there!

Run power wire using outdoor lighting wire around outside edge of patio and bury it in slit, then just bring smaller connector wires up along expansion joint to track.

[barclaysierra]

Wow. Why didn't I think of that? I'll check into all of your suggestions, they all look like possibilities. Thanks for the help.

[tangerine-jack]

Isn't that the way it is? Once you hear it from somebody else, you smack yourself and say "why didn't........"

Well, that's what this forum is all about!!!!

[oX)]