Hi again guys
When I built my layout years ago I used woodland scenics roadbed ( wish I used cork from a maintenance standpoint ) anyways, I cant remember what I used to glue it and the track down. I seem to recall using just plain old latex caulking but I really cant remember,lol
I have to replace a piece of track now and have the old piece of track and foam roadbed removed and it hit me after as to what I used back then . I was maybe just going to go to the hardware store and grab some foam safe liquid nails or something that was foam safe. Whatever I used back then sure has stood the test of time as my layout has been moved from a apartment to my parents house and to my house and the track is still firmly secured.
Thanks guys
Jeremy
Jeremy:
Ten years ago I built my garage layout using WS foam roadbed (cork is excellent, but it didn't turn out to be very 'weatherproof' in the kind of basically dry climate here in the Sacramento Valley). I used plain old Elmer's Carpenter's glue (the yellow stuff) to attach the roadbed to the extruded foam, and it's held up without a hitch ever since.
The only problem I've had with the WS is that it's a little 'spongy' for yard trackage, especially under fairly heavy brass imported steam locomotives (code 83 in the yards). Other than that, it's been great on the mainline (code 100).
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Cheap latex caulk is what I use -- caulk now comes in various colors, so I use black for the roadbed and gray for the track, but it really is up to you whether you prefer a color or plain white.
cheers guys
I thought it might have been caulk, but then got thinking that caulk wouldn't cause the track and roadbed to stick together but If you fellas used latex caulking I guess it working.
So I should avoid liquid nails and any of the other foam safe adhesives and just pick up some cheap latex caulking?
Calcole - Yeah the color choice will make it handy
so this stuff would be good to stick the track to the woodlands foam right?
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Paint-D%C3%A9cor/Painting-Supplies/Caulk-Coatings-Seals/Caulking/Acrylic-Latex/CAULK-LTX-PAINTER-300ML/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I2034319?Ntt=latex+caulking
That should work. My previos layotu was WS foam roadbed on extruded foam, and I used latex caulk to attach the roadbed to the foam as well as attach the track to the roadbed. Never had a problem with anything popping loose. I was able to also remove some track when I made a plan change and reuse the track (kind of important since it included a couple of turnouts - big expense if they were damaged). They key is not to use very much. It takes very little caulk to actually hold the track.
My currnet layout is still extruded foam but I used cork roadbed instead of WS this time, otherwise it's exactly the same - caulk hold the cork to the foam, and caulk holds the track to the cork. It's all workign out very well again, no problems with the track sticking.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
That's the stuff I use. If you use clear, and spread it very thin, it will be invisible when dry.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I used to use caulk, which was fine, but now I use plain white glue and that's working well, too. I use it both to hold the roadbed to the pink foam and the track to the roadbed.
My problem with caulk is that I only need a small amount at a time. So, even though it's cheap I end up throwing most of it away, as it tends to harden up in the tube once you open it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Given that a tube is only $2 @ Lowe's or HD, I'll take the flexibility of latex caulk over Elmer's glue - especially when it comes to adhering track to cork.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I will probably use just latex again. Today at home depot I found this stuff also. Im sure its fine to use also.
http://www.lepageproducts.com/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=80
Its a foam safe adhesive.
MisterBeasley My problem with caulk is that I only need a small amount at a time. So, even though it's cheap I end up throwing most of it away, as it tends to harden up in the tube once you open it.
Just stick a nail in the opening and it will keep for a very long time. If it's only got to keep a couple of weeks you don't need to do anything, just squeeze the dry plug out and continue.
I may be somewhat abnormal but I do not glue down my road bed. I model in N-scale and have used cork and foam. currently foam. I just nail the roadbed down with the same small track spike that secures the track. I use Atlas Snap Track on part of my layout and nail it down with those little track nails. The beauty of this method is the track and road bed are still usable when removed. Much of my Snap Track is from the 70's.
When I used cork I nailed the cork down with tacks used by the furniture industry to secure appolstery. But cork dries out and can become very brittle. Using it over is not easy. I found by putting the dried cork in a garbage bag with a few drops of water brought it back to life some.
The track spikes may be a little gaudy but it works for me and I do not notice them when running trains.
Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.