Track or paint - never occurred to me...

[Anonymous]

Here's one that never occurred to me until I was ready to do it:

On your subroadbed "ground" surface (mine happens to be foam, but could be ply, etc.) do you lay track or paint the base coat first? I will paint mine with brown "suede" paint, but realized that my previous layouts have all been 100% open benchwork with hardshell, and this is a first for me.

So I can't quite decide what's best.

Paint first: pros - makes it very easy to "roll on" the paint, no chance of little "pink slips" showing through.

Track first: pros - totally flat surface, trackbed adhered directly to base (not track-to-pain-to-base).

[Anonymous]

Hmmm...

I've always laid the cork, then painted to get rid of the hideous pink or blue. I have no idea if the paint will make a difference, but if you go that way, I'd put a test swatch down just in case.

Here's your chance to add to the collective knowledge base. Inquiring minds want to know! [:D]

Mike Tennent

[Anonymous]

You need to put in some contours to make the track appear to "raised' for drainage. If you use cork you get contours free. Using foam only I'd gouge ditches into the foam, paint ditch to ditch then glue track down.

[nbrodar]

I use foam....
First I laid the track and roadbed. Then, carved up the foam. And finally painted.

When I used plywood, I painted the plywood first.

Nick

[selector]

I would do the carving, then slather the paint and add ground foam or your favorite ground cover, but only to within 1-2" on either side of the ROW. I would lay the track, fix it in place, prove it with a long loco and pax cars using temporary power to ensure that the configuration and assembly are "right", and then complete the ballasting. Once the ballasting is in place and hard, tape over the track and much of the ballast profile, do a fine misting of glue, sprinkle foam, remist, and let it all dry. Remove tape, and you are sure to get a terribly swollen chest....and head! [:D]