Roadbed

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Most building centers like Lowes or Home Depot carry what they call grading stakes. Since they are intended for more temporary use, they are not treated. You could get some, and soak them in a 5 gal bucket with a preservative chemical, and use them to place an occaisional stake to keep it all from "sliding".

You could also use treated 2X6 for your roadbed and fasten some treated 2X2 down the middle of the underside to give a keyway ot Teffect which would keep them from sliding.

Get some shelf brackets and mount the trains right on the fence (then you don't have to crawl around in the dirt to do things)

I'm sure you will get a bunch more ideas in short order!

[ttrigg]

David;

Just another thought about wood. I have some pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine that has been in the ground for just over 15 years without any sign of decay. (Birdhouse posts, fence post, and other "yard art") If your budget can afford it check out the price, verse "garentee".

[dukebasketballer`]

Thanks Tom,
This sounds like a great plan and it sounds as though it should hold up. But, I am still up for new ideas.
Thanks,
David
Let's Go Duke!

[ttrigg]

David;

If you are going to bury the wood "roadbed" be sure to use pressure treated wood. Make sure that when you cut it that you wear a protective mask and eye protection as the saw dust from that stuff can cause some serious effects (with enough exposure.) If you are concerned about the boards moving, then drive a 4x4 fence post into the ground (below ground level) and screw the "roadbed" to the posts. Since the pressure treating chemicals do not completely penetrate the wood, when you get the wood ask for some preservative that you can paint onto all cut surfaces, allow it to soak into the wood as per the instructions on the can before applying a second coat.. Again wear a mask and eye protection as those chemicals are bad for you as well.

[dukebasketballer`]

Hi,
I am planning to expand my mainline this summer [^][yeah] and I want to know a good roadbed to use. Currently I have ground/crushed concrete that is packed in between 1x6's. This works great, but my extension will run allong the fence and I am afraid of the grass and weeds taking it over and I want it seem as though you cant see the track (that way mom wont freak out about it). My thought was to screw the track onto a board of some sort, but I dont know how to keep it from sliding out into the middle of the yard. Suggestions[?]
Thanks for your help[bow],
David
Its tournament time!
Let's Go Duke!