Layouts and layout building

Tried to search this but didn't come up with much. I'm trying to figure out the best process for laying down track. What I've done so far:

1. Layed down the actual track and traced around it onto the foam bed.

2. Cut the cork to fit and layed it out according to the tracings. Glued it down with latex caulk.

So here is where my questions come in. Do you paint the cork roadbed or just cover it with ballast? And do you glue it to the roadbed (with latex caulk I'm guessing) and nail it down as well using brads? And do you glue the ballast down or do you just sprinkle it on and leave it loose?

Thanks!

Allen

 Allen

 This is what I do and you will get several ways of doing this.

1. Glue down the cork on the road bed. I use white glue or carpenters glue but caulk spread rel thin works too.

2.  After glue has dried I use a sanding block and sand the cork to take off the high spots.

3. I paint the cork with a color that is close to the ballast color.

4. Glue the track down. Same as the cork. Test the track and add feeder wires.

5. Spread ballast, Mist with wet water and glue.

   This has worked great for my modules and some are 7 years old. My home layout will be hand laid track.

     Pete

the above instructions cover it pretty well. My only comment is that painting the cork is optional, it's an extra step and won't be seen if you ballast the track.

I only paint the cork on the point areas of switches because the ballast can be real thin to non existent there.

These instructions all cover it all well with the exception of one thing. After spreading the ballast and before the glueing agent dries (either dilute white glue or matte medium). be sure to make sure that most of the ballast is off the tops of the ties, especially along the insides of the rails. This will ensure that there is no interference with the wheel flanges. Either a small stiff bristled paint brush or foam brush will do the job. Also, sweep or vacuum away any loose ballast after glueing agent dries as this could cause problems with loco mechanisms.

I follow the same steps as above but I paint the new roadbed with a latex paint close to the color of the ballast. I don't ballast all of the turnouts and it still makes it hard to see the missing ballast. In addition the glue mixture used on the ballast works much better on a painted surface than the porous cork.

Allen,

 My previous HO layout was built in the early '90s, and was recently dismantled and a new one is now under construction.  I too afixed the cork roadbed with caulk (a first for me), and then painted the roadbed a grey color.  I painted it for a couple of reasons, with the primary one being that it is a better base for the grey ballast - particularly in areas of turnouts, etc., where the ballast is put on sparingly.

Other reasons - which may or may not mean anything - is that painting tends to cover the joints of the roadbed (again, esp. around turnouts), and it "seals" the cork from moisture.

I suspect one could argue either way on the issue, so I'll just call it my personal preference.

ENJOY,

Mobilman44 

 Allen.

You cannot do much better than following the recommendations from the above gentlemen. I would only confirm that sanding the cork roadbed level BEFORE laying your track is an important step. It is amazing how many little bumps and hollows that you will find AFTER you have secured your track. (Please do not ask how I know). Also, when placing your turnouts, use the caulk very sparingly and not under any of the moving parts of the turnout.

I ballast my turnouts as soon as they are laid onto the caulk and press the ballast gently into the still soft caulk. This saves me from having to glue the ballast down and possibly get glue into the moving parts of the turnout. After a day or two, you can gently vacuum up the excess loose ballast. If you have previously painted your roadbed a similar colour to your ballast, the whole thing comes out looking quite good.

Blue Flamer.

rrebell:

I only paint the cork on the point areas of switches because the ballast can be real thin to non existent there.

Nice ballast job.

Mark