So I'm working this problem over in my head, and I think I've come up with a solution.
The problem is that a good portion of my layout is a double tracked mainline, and I am using WS incline kits to make the grade. The issue comes when I try to have the kits in parrallel and go around a curve- obviously the length doesn't match up nor does the height. I've attempted to stretch and squish them, but it really doesn't work out that great.
The solution I've come up with is use the single track incline section, and have some sort of heavy cardboard (or similar) template to stick on top of it with the track plan on it. The edges of the overlay will be supported.
So this begs the question- what would be a good material for this overlay?
Thanks!
-Denny
Hold my beer... ya'll watch this!
I incorporate a cardstock (not cardboard) track template into ALL of my tracklaying. Mine is cut to flextrack width (28mm for Atlas HO products) and fastened to my roadbed with latex caulk.
The roadbed (what I think you're looking for) is cut from extruded foam, specifically fan-fold underlayment. The pink version is about 9mm thick, easily cut with a utility knife. I use it in place of cork or Homasote roadbed. Rather than try to bend it I just cut it to shape - including 30 degree ballast shoulders instead of the usual 45 degrees.
Rather than using a solid tabletop and WS ramps, I prefer to use cookie-cut plywood subgrade, supported above Westcott-style L-girder frameworks on risers. Framework and risers are steel stud material - here in the dessicated desert the climate does unwanted things to forest products. Not only to I find cookie-cut roadbed more flexible than solid tabletops, but it's also less expensive. One sheet of plywood, cut into appropriate shapes, provided me with enough subgrade to support most of the trackwork on a 5 x 12 table with multiple track levels (five, actually.) The rest of the track is laid inside steel studs supported rain gutter fashion - track in the netherworld that's never intended to see the light of day.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with trackwork as bulletproof as I can make it)
I should have added that I'm using the squishy WS roadbed. I just need something somewhat solid but thin to widen the incline thing appropriately. Would this card stock be strong enough?
Thanks for the advice, Chuck!
Figured it out! 1/8" hardboard! I sanded off the shiny finish on the top side so the liquid nails will attach the roadbed to the hardboard.
What I did with mine was lay them both and then use a hot wire cutter to cut the taller one down to match the shorter one.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow