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Ballasting on pre-based track
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Hi Trevor, <br /> <br />Although I have not used Bachman E-Z track I am familiar with it and I do use sectional track with a molded base from Märklin (C Gleis), Roco (Rocoline) and Fleischmann (Profi Gleis). I find that this type of track can be very easily blended into the baseboard by sprinkling a suitable amout of loose ballast material along the the sides of the base and between the ties. In yards and on branch lines you can mix in a little green flock to simulate weeds and grass. All of this can then be secured using a watered down solution of Elmers (or similar) white glue. Be careful not to clog or contaminate the moving parts and guard rails of turnouts with glue or loose ballast. One advantage to using this type of sectional track is that even after ballasting as described, it can if required, be carefully removed from the basebosrd and reused. With heavily ballasted flex track this is usually not the case as it is very difficult to remove and will probably become damaged during removal due to the amount of glue/ballast needed to give an authentic appearance. <br />As mentioned by colleagues "twhite" and "milotsukroff", reliable electrical continuity can be a problem with sectional track. My solution is to run a copper "buss conductor" underneath the baseboard, normal 16 awg single strand copper wire as used for wiring houses is good for this. At frequent intervals feeder wires can be run and soldered between the buss and also soldered to the rail joiners or the rail itself. This system works well for me and is best done at the same time as you are initially laying your track. <br />One other thought regarding track with a molded base, it is often necessary to raise the "ground level" to be flush with the ties in yards and industrial areas. This "fill in" can easily be done using the thin, blue, styrofoam insulation board available in all building supply stores. <br />Happy modelling, Neil <br /> <br />
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