I am never quite sure how to secure the bridge track to the bridge deck, so I don't do anything. The bridge track simply sits unsecured on the bridge deck. I do wedge in some side bracing to keep the bridge track from shifting laterally.
How do others deal with this issue?
Rich
Alton Junction
I let mine float as well on the last layout but adhesives would seem to be the solution if you wanted track secured in place. Perhaps a thick "goo" type adhesive applied fairly sparingly.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
What type of bridge?
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I too let my tracks "float" on the bridge. You could try double sided tape or liquid nails to really prevent them from moving. The two bridges I own don't allow the track to move much. This is good for me!
NVSRR What type of bridge?
riogrande5761 I let mine float as well on the last layout but adhesives would seem to be the solution if you wanted track secured in place. Perhaps a thick "goo" type adhesive applied fairly sparingly.
Bridge track is expensive so I try not to do stuff that will make it harder to sell at a decent price if and when that day comes.
Bigjim7Tackyglue' superglue' caulk ect.
Turnouts and bridge track I let float. However a couple of times like where my bridge track is curved I have put a couple of dabs of caulk about half the size of a dime to hold things in place better.
I have had reason to pull it up and when I do I just roll the caulk off with my thumb and it comes right off. I then just dab a bit of new stuff on when I replace it.
With a 30" bridge I would probably only put 3 or 4 little dabs the entire length.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Because the track on most of my bridges is curved...
...I use a fairly coarse sandpaper to roughen the bottom of the ties, then apply contact cement to them and to the bridges on which they'll sit. The bridge ties are engineering plastic, so cannot be cemented to the styrene bridges using solvent -type cement. Ca is also not an option, as all bridges are removeable and will flex vertically to some degree when they're removed or put back into place, stressing the brittle joints created by ca.After letting the cement dry for the recommended time, the track is put in place. Where alignment needs to be precise, waxed paper can be placed on the bridge, then slowly withdrawn as the track is jockeyed into position.The same method is used to secure the guard rails, although the woodgrain detail moulded into the tie-tops is rough enough to omit the need to sand them, and the moulded-on spike heads also help to keep the guard rails properly aligned.
Wayne
Little bitty micro screws, #0 or #00. Machine thread, wood thread, or sheet metal thread. About 1/4" long. Insert through existing track nail holes or drill through tie with #62 bit and pin vise. The trick is lining up ties of track with beams and/or girders (or whatever substrate) of bridge structure. You only need a couple to secure track.
There are matching little bitty taps for these little bitty screws, but most substrates can be self-tapped by whatever screw you use. Don't forget to drill little bitty pilot hole in substrate a little bit smaller than screw.
Robert
EDIT Added photo of a some little bitty screws, bolts, and nuts I have on hand and could readily find.
LINK to SNSR Blog
I use a stronger goop that I apply with the end of a toothpick to the stringers supporting the ties, something considerably stronger than, say, Aleene's tacky glue. It will be closer to a contact cement. Turnouts, though, I generally ballast (carefully), and let that bonded medium hold them in place. Spray with water, wait-two-three, and then get the metal spatula under it. Again, very thoughtfully or you'll snag the throwbar.
BATMAN Turnouts and bridge track I let float. However a couple of times like where my bridge track is curved I have put a couple of dabs of caulk about half the size of a dime to hold things in place better. I have had reason to pull it up and when I do I just roll the caulk off with my thumb and it comes right off. I then just dab a bit of new stuff on when I replace it. With a 30" bridge I would probably only put 3 or 4 little dabs the entire length.
ROBERT PETRICK Little bitty micro screws, #0 or #00. Machine thread, wood thread, or sheet metal thread. About 1/4" long. Insert through existing track nail holes or drill through tie with #62 bit and pin vise. The trick is lining up ties of track with beams and/or girders (or whatever substrate) of bridge structure. You only need a couple to secure track.
selector I use a stronger goop that I apply with the end of a toothpick to the stringers supporting the ties, something considerably stronger than, say, Aleene's tacky glue. It will be closer to a contact cement.
I use a stronger goop that I apply with the end of a toothpick to the stringers supporting the ties, something considerably stronger than, say, Aleene's tacky glue. It will be closer to a contact cement.
doctorwayne I use a fairly coarse sandpaper to roughen the bottom of the ties, then apply contact cement to them and to the bridges on which they'll sit.
I use a fairly coarse sandpaper to roughen the bottom of the ties, then apply contact cement to them and to the bridges on which they'll sit.
I have been finding more and more uses for these small, clear sticky dots on the model railroad:
https://tinyurl.com/y2gcz8po
I wouldn't hesitate to use them for anchoring bridge track to the deck of a bridge. I seem to recall that the Walthers/Shinohara bridge track I used had a bit of an arc to it. You could place extra dots toward the middle section so it wouldn't pop up in the future.
These are great for sticking acetate into brass cars and plastic structures, too. I also use them for sticking wiring inside locos during a decoder install:
Fugitive_dots-wire by Edmund, on Flickr
Generically it is known as "Fugitive Glue".
Good Luck, Ed
Whale, on a previous layout, I installed the track before the bridge and figured to build a bridge around it.
How does the track flay through space without a bridge?
Lion went down to metal shop and cut two peices of sheet metal about 18" long by .75" wide. I then put the work in a brake the long way so that less than half of it was held by the clamp and half of it would be bent up. I pulled the brake so that I had a "V" shape peice of metal. I slipped each side of the track into the "V" and then glued the metal with the track in it across the gap in the layout.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I use either screws.....#0 round head black wood screw's or lately Loctite GO2 Gel adhesive. Goe's on clear, drys clear very strong, once cured. It is Not a CA:
https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Clear-Adhesive-60-Fluid-1832982/dp/B00PDAMZ3C/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=CjwKCAjwlujnBRBlEiwAuWx4LRNaS_qmRDp5kGTAUiATGkfow8teA3ZfTF02IUmWdE4La3PAQdZl8xoCz20QAvD_BwE&hvadid=174230963650&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021651&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15601690292460671174&hvtargid=kwd-76910483137&hydadcr=24660_9648999&keywords=loctite+go2+gel&qid=1559944848&s=gateway&sr=8-3
The bridge piers, pier bumpers, even the acetate water is held in place with it:
In the next photo, the bridge glued to the piers and the whole bridge is turned on it's side with the GO2 adhesive is the only thing holding it:
Take Care!
Frank
Thanks, Frank, I appreciate those comments and recommendations.
I need to decide whether to secure the bridge track to the bridge deck or just let it "float", so to speak. If I do decide not to secure the track to the deck, I will still need to install some sort of side-to-side bracing to prevent lateral shifting of the bridge track.
I really do appreciate all of the replies and I need to re-read them all several times to decide upon a course of action.
I use CA, not much, just a spot or two of the geled type.
i use Shoe Goo for lots of things around the house, including regluing soles on shoes. It's very sticky, stay flexible and can be pulled apart.
I would think that whatever you use, you just need a few dabs appied with toothpicks.
i wonder if it would be noisy if just allowed to fully float
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
rrebell I use CA, not much, just a spot or two of the geled type.
gregc i use Shoe Goo for lots of things around the house, including regluing soles on shoes. It's very sticky, stay flexible and can be pulled apart. I would think that whatever you use, you just need a few dabs appied with toothpicks. i wonder if it would be noisy if just allowed to fully float
Rich,
Why don't You just use clear silicone calk then. I few dabs of that on some strategic areas would be all you would need to hold it down, then can be removed by cutting a slit with a xacto blade and peeled away. Didn't You ever use it before around the house? Even the glue I suggested can be removed by cutting a slit in the side and peeled away, without damaging anything. It feels like hard rubber when it is cured, similar to a silicone calk when it cures.
zstripe Rich, Why don't You just use clear silicone calk then. I few dabs of that on some strategic areas would be all you would need to hold it down, then can be removed by cutting a slit with a xacto blade and peeled away. Didn't You ever use it before around the house? Even the glue I suggested can be removed by cutting a slit in the side and peeled away, without damaging anything. It feels like hard rubber when it is cured, similar to a silicone calk when it cures. Take Care! Frank
Thanks for the gentle push. I need it.
richhotrain rrebell I use CA, not much, just a spot or two of the geled type. Ahh, another vote for CA. Thanks. Dunno, CA seems a bit too permanent for my liking. Rich
Ahh, another vote for CA. Thanks. Dunno, CA seems a bit too permanent for my liking.
rrebell richhotrain rrebell I use CA, not much, just a spot or two of the geled type. Ahh, another vote for CA. Thanks. Dunno, CA seems a bit too permanent for my liking. Rich Tends to just pop off when it is plastic to plastic and we are not talking alot here, just a dab here and there.
Tends to just pop off when it is plastic to plastic and we are not talking alot here, just a dab here and there.
Clear polyseamseal available at Menards. The stuff holds like super elastic bubble plastic but is reversible
TF
A suggestion:
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Drys to touch in 15 minutes.......