I've just finished ripping up all of my Atlas N scale Snap Track. A lot of the pieces still have ballast or foam attached to them. I was wondering if I could soak the track in a bucket of water in order to loosen the ballast adhesive. I figured I could use a scrub brush on the track afterwards to get it clean, and then re-use it. Anyone have any experience or suggestions? Is this going to be more trouble than its worth?
I have do it with N scale ME code 55 track and some Fastrack turnouts
I have put them in a bag of relatively hot water during an hour, most of the ballast residues comes over, about the few remaining I use an old toothbrush to put away the ballast and whithe glue residues.
After I let dry them on a piece o tissue, don't put it on a source of heat.
The track is ready to be reused, painted and ballasted.
It depends on the adhesive you used. If you used white glue, that will loosen with a soak in water, and you can salvage the track pieces.
Many people use track over and over again.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
deadeye43 I was wondering if I could soak the track in a bucket of water in order to loosen the ballast adhesive. I figured I could use a scrub brush on the track afterwards to get it clean, and then re-use it. Anyone have any experience or suggestions? Is this going to be more trouble than its worth?
If you ballasted the track using white glue, ordinary water with a little dish detergent added should remove all the ballast and ground foam.
I needed to move the turnout shown in the centre of the photo below...
After pulling out the track nails and unsoldering the joints, I simply sprayed the area with a generous amount of "wet" water, then lifted the almost completely-clean track and turnout. Anything still clinging to the track brushed off easily.
Here's the area with the track removed...
...and with the debris removed...
Turnout moved and altered track back in place....
...and site re-ballasted...
Wayne
deadeye43 Is this going to be more trouble than its worth?
Is this going to be more trouble than its worth?
Is this going to be more trouble than it is worth?
The responses so far address the issue of white glue. Soak the track in warm water and most of the ballast and glue comes off - - - most of it.
If you used matte medium to glue the ballast, soak the track in 70% isopropyl alcohol and much of the ballast and glue comes off - - - much of it.
I use matte medium to glue ballast. When I tore down my last layout, I made a concerted effort to save flex track. I used a 40" long section of 2" PVC, capped at both ends, and filled it with 70% isopropyl. I was able to soak 6 pieces of 36" long flex track at a time overnight. I was able to remove much of the ballast and matte medium, but in the end I bought all new flex track and sold the best used flex track on eBay.
Since I was much more cautious in gluing turnouts, it was a lot easier to clean most of the turnouts. But, even then, I sold off most of my used turnouts and bought new ones for the new layout.
In my experience, cleaning used track to rid it of ballast and glue was not worth the effort. It was more trouble than it was worth.
Rich
Alton Junction
All this track has been saved for re-use:
When torn down track was lifted for saving:
All the track nails and spikes, scews, even all the wood.
Reuse, recycle, reduce.
Here are two 16 foot sections recycled from the last layout.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I resued most of the track following the method described above. Any track that got destroyed can get used along an abandened track. That can occur at a siding or along part of the mainline. Quite realistic actually!
This was just on MRVP, where they are redoing that port area on the MR&T.
You won't hurt the track soaking it in water and/or alcohol, nickel silver rail does not rust and alcohol will not melt the plastic. There's really nothing to lose, either it will work or it won't clean up.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Given the price of track and turnouts these days (and no I am NOT trying to jump start that topic again) I'd say the entire "is this more trouble than it's worth?" equation has shifted. It's worth much more trouble now than it was a few years ago.
It's also worth pointing out that if the track is going to be reballasted then there is no reason to go ape over every last grain of old ballast being removed so long as the bottoms of the ties are smooth and switchpoints aren't being gummed up.
One thing about soaking an area with water/wet water/alcohol. It won't hurt the plastic tie track. But do give some thought to the wood or homasote or other material which is beneath or to the sides of the track. At the least cranking up the heat or a dehumidifier might be in order.
Dave Nelson
I lay mine on the basement floor, near the drain. Hit it with hot water tru garden hose/spray nozzel.
I have found that as long as the bottom is clean enuff to allow the track to lay flat. don,t be concerned about the rest.
Most of my track is on it's 4thtime around. If it somewhat flat and in gauge, trains don't care if its used or new.
Is it worth it?? Some here, have no problem with tossing 100 dollor bills in the dumpster,I aint one of em.
A lot of my track has been on three prior layouts. I've lost maybe 5% off each layout when I've disassembled them, and not lost any turnouts.
Track was installed in a variety of ways: Nails in the center; Spikes against the rail base; and caulk under the ties. They all come up just fine with a little care.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Most of the track in the pictures has been on two layouts now and is being re-used again on the current 3rd one under construction.
I saved almost every turnout from my last layout by soaking in plain water and I used matt medium for glue.
rrebell I saved almost every turnout from my last layout by soaking in plain water and I used matt medium for glue.
Ballasted track, glued with matte medium, will not clean up by soaking in plain water. That would require a soaking in isopropyl alcohol.
richhotrain rrebell I saved almost every turnout from my last layout by soaking in plain water and I used matt medium for glue. No way! Ballasted track, glued with matte medium, will not clean up by soaking in plain water. That would require a soaking in isopropyl alcohol. Rich
No way!
rrebell you have to soak it for weeks but it will come off