Handlaying track

[SOU Fan]

I'm planning to bulid a N scale layout, and handlay my track. What raodbed material holds spikes the best for the money?

[rolleiman]

Homasote... I like the look of wood ties on my wood roadbed (visit my web page below if you like) but Homasote is the best I've ever used for spiking rail.. The spikes go in easily and the material grabs on to them like a clamp.. The one thing about using homasote however is you have to make sure it's well supported (plywood underneath).. It can be suseptable to expansion and contraction on wildly varying environments and can also absorb moisture.. SO... Before you glue tie one, you might want to paint the homasote, particularly on the edges.. Oh, one more thing.. Cutting this stuff with a power saw makes a hell of a dusty cloudy mess.. If possible do it outside, and where a mask.. To find a distributor in your area,

http://www.homastote.com

Good luck,
Jeff

[tstage]

Jeff,

Where is your link to your layout?

Tom

[dehusman]

Some N scale handlayers use PC board ties and solder the rails to the ties so there are not spike heads in the flangeways. In that case the roadbed is less important as long as it is smooth.

Dave H.

[SOU Fan]

Thank you for the information [:D] [:)]

[donhalshanks]

If you wi***o bypass the cutting and very big dust problem with homasote, at some cost, you can get precut strips, kerfed strips for curves, turnout pads, and flats for yards from California Roadbed Co. www.calroadbed.com You can order a sample set to examine. I was most pleased with it, and just placed a large order for handlaying my new HO layout. I felt the price was reasonable vs. the cutting problems with homosote. After a lot of research, I perceive the consensus is that homasote is preferred for handlaying track, though a minority will make exception to that. Usually, the climate change is stated as the weakness, and usually the counter is that painting it after installing solves it.
Have fun doing it, Hal

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Jeff,

Where is your link to your layout?

Tom

At the bottom of the post where it says "WEB" where it's always been [swg] ...

Jeff

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dekruif

I'm planning to bulid a N scale layout, and handlay my track. What raodbed material holds spikes the best for the money?

For holding the spikes I would say upson board. It is a very dense cardboard. Back when the club was under a "handlaid" track only rule, we used it over the homosote because the homosote didn't hold spikes well. It is very hard to work with in other regards though. Cutting the ballast bevel was a nasty job even with a knife blade in a saber saw.

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher
we used it over the homosote because the homosote didn't hold spikes well.

Really?? [:0] That hasn't been my experience with homasote..

Jeff