Would you suggest cork roadbed or Woodland scenics "track-bed". The track bed seems like it would be easier to work with, it comes in 24' rolls.
Also, how many feet of it do you think I would need for the Red Wing Division?
Acela
The timbers beneath the rails are not the only ties that bind on the railroad. --Robert S. McGonigal
Acela026Would you suggest cork roadbed or Woodland scenics "track-bed". The track bed seems like it would be easier to work with, it comes in 24' rolls. Also, how many feet of it do you think I would need for the Red Wing Division? Acela
Cork or WS - matter of taste.
As for length: rough estimate - one loop around a 4x8 is about 16 feet of track length (cirumference of circle with radius 24" - ie 2 * 3.14 * 24 = 150" = abt 12 feet + 2 feet of straights along each side for a total of 4 feet).
You got about the equivalent of 2.5 loops (16 * 2.5 = 40 feet) plus 4 tracks on the side which each is about 4 feet long (=16 feet), for a total of about 64 feet.
2 packs of 24' long track bed is 48 feet, three is 72 feet. So up to you, either buy two packs and see how far it goes, and then buy a third pack if you need to, or buy three packs in the first place.
Smile, Stein
steinjr...for a total of about 64 feet.
How much ballast will I need? One bag from a hobby shop is about 18cu", and how much should I put on? Is it any different for sidings?
And, should I spray-paint the track brown before I lay it down?
Your four rules are pretty much on the mark. Just look around. Your yard. Your neighborhood. Your town etc. It all will tell you what you need and where to put scenery . I have found numerous things in my yard and even ouside our building at work to use for scenery making. And when done,they look realistic. I have used the cleaned and dried roots from my hot pepper plants in my garden at the end of summer to make trees and other shrubs. Many people are amazed at the scenery on my layout. There is no right or wrong like you said. Just enjoy and refer back to rule #1. Thanks from BigD Burbank