advice on laying Powerloc track

[Anonymous]

I plan on using Powerloc track. Currently I have 1/2" plywood benchwork. What is the best way to lay this track? SInce the roadbed is part of the track do I just drive nails into the plywood? Can I use latex chaulk and nail it into the plywood? Or should I use styrene (bluefoam) over my plywood and use latex chaulk to glue it down to and nail? If you have used this track before, please enlighten me on this process.
Thanks
BUS

[steffd]

My only brief experience with Powerlock track is Marklin’s C-Track, which is very similar. I would recommend you still add a 2” or more sheets of Pink Styrofoam on top of your plywood base to allow you to carve out sections to have scenery bellow the track level. As for securing the track, I never found it necessary to use nails or go overkill on adhesives. I have used heavy-duty carpenter’s glue mixed with just a little water to help apply it with a 3” brush directly on the surface of the plywood or Styrofoam and then set your track on top and let it set. This is usually sufficient enough to secure the track in place as it is not temperamental like flextrack or even sectional track requiring lots of soldering, tracks nails or spikes and even glue as it is very rigid and not affected by temperature as much. Once dry, paint and weather your track if you so choose and then once that is dry, apply some ballast matching the color of your track bed along the edges at the same time the rest of your scenery is being applied. Soak it all with your white glue and water mixture as you normally would for your scenery. Once all dry, it should be quite solid. Make sure contact is firmly secure between the track sections when installing.

Stephan

[Wdlgln005]

I'd go with the foam under the track. You may use a pin or two, but use some white glue to hold the track steady. Paint & ballast the trak to make it look better. Water based glue will let you change it later.