Need Help with Train Yard

[Anonymous]

This is kind of a stupid question, I am just about to finish up on my engine yard, It is N scale, and I have seen a lot of layouts that have what looks like cement down for the engine facility, it also goes down the center of the track. Is this really some type of plaster or is it sold pre-made that you can just glue down. I Hope I made myself clear......Mike

[cacole]

If the track is straight, you can use sheet styrene cut to fit. Very thin balsa wood sheet, card stock or poster board would probably also be suitable as long as it's in an area that is not likely to get wet during ballasting or other scenery work.

Sheet styrene and sheet balsa should be available at your local hobby shop. Card stock and poster board can be purchased at an office or school supply store or your local Wal-mart or K-mart, etc.

[Pennsy58]

I used sheets from Plastruct. Took awhile but I cut them to fit in between the tracks and in between the rails. I work in HO and the sheets were rather thin. This worked out since being so thin I could cut the sheets with scissors. I also had to place pieces of filler under the plastic so that it was level with the tops of the rails. Used sheets of crafting foam that were very inexpensive. On the outside edges of the rails the plastic concrete touches the rail. On the inside of the rails of course you need to leave space for the wheels. The plastic is slightly lower inside the rails to prevent snagging by the coupler hoses etc on the engines. Then I painted lines as I see in pics of facilities that indicate walkways or stop points for pit danger etc.
The plastic is a bit shinny for an oily dirty place, but when asked I say the floors were just painted by maintenance.