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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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 Posted - 02/25/2003 : 4:13:07 PM
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This sticky is for discussions about subroadbed, roadbed and track. Please ask your questions and post any pertinent information you have about these topics. Please on track which includes turnouts if the question is about operation of turnouts using DCC then ask the question in the DCC forum. Eddie (the moderator) is very knowledgeable and I would prefer his forum answers these questions.
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
Country: USA
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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 Posted - 02/25/2003 : 5:20:57 PM
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Hi all
Probably the most well known system for installing subroadbed and roadbed is the Woodland Scenic system. They offer risers and inclines (which allow up to a 4% elevation) which is a subroadbed system. Then they have their own roadbed for sale. If interested in their products their web site is
http://www.woodlandscenics.com/
Here you can read all about how to use their products.
I am sure many of you have used different systems such as Homosote and cork to achieve the same results.
If you have a chance please tell us about the system you used under your track.
Thanks
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13050 |
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/28/2003 : 2:12:13 PM
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This is a posting I found at a Yahoo group about Woodland Scenics Risers but it does include other good information.
We're using the WS foam risers on a very large layout open to the
public. Our benchwork is 2 inch extruded foam supported on a steel
stud frame. I'd recommend all three, i.e., steel studs, foam table
top, and Woodland Scenics foam risers. The risers go in so very
quickly. You likely can do a whole layout in a weekend. Put down
your track centerline and go to it. I've been using neoprene contact
cement to fasten the risers to the foam base, but I may try out hot
glue as a quicker, cleaner alternative. With the 2% foam inclline
you gain 1/2" with every 2 foot section of foam riser. You might
want to use a little sand paper to smooth the transition from grade
to flat but the "Starter" incline risers work fine for going from
flat to grade. Also, use the plaster gauze to cover the risers
before applying your roadbed. There's no other satisfactory way to
cover those slots in the risers (at least not that I have found).
Although I didn't start out doing it this way, I'm going to do much
of the scenery work before ever putting down track. Look around for
a medical supply company as a source for the plaster cloth. You'll
find it a lot cheaper.
Steel studs are easier to work with than you might think and they
are always straight. Try to find a straight board at your Lowe's or
Home Depot! They are also very light. Using extruded foam insulation
for the table top means no more worry about changing environmental
conditions affecting dimensional stability. Do be aware that 1" of
foam insulation isn't precisely the same thickness as the 1" foam
riser by WS. (Sort of like a 2x4 really isn't 2" by 4".)
I'm very happy with Woodland Scenics' foam risers and personally
wouldn't go any other way. Has many of the same benefits as spline
sub-roadbed without the hassles.
Jerry Smith
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13050 |
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Shamus
Crew Chief
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Posted - 02/28/2003 : 4:49:56 PM
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I have always used 1/2" Chipboard and 1/2" insulation (Sound) board for laying my track onto. Insulation is easy to put track pins (Spikes) into. Makes for quiet running also.Being sound absorbent.
Shamus
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Country: United Kingdom
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/06/2003 : 5:18:39 PM
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Hi all
The following was posted by Bill Nanney on keeping your track clean.
I will discuss the cleaning of the track and wheels. I clean my track with the metal polish MAAS and it is great stuff. Track stays cleaner longer. I have been experimenting with cleaning loco wheels with the same stuff on a cleaning track. It works equally as well on wheels. I put a small amount on a piece of cloth then place the cleaning cloth with polish on it over the cleaning track and spin the wheels on it.
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13050 |
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/11/2003 : 10:28:58 PM
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Hi all
If you have a chance look at Jim Murray's photo album
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/photo_album_view.asp?cname=Main+Album&mid=533&cid=826
Jim has some excellent photos of his benchwork and roadbed that he has constructed using foam.
Also the first photo is of a model of his railroad. This method of making a model of what the final product will look like is promoted by Dave Frary in his book Realistic Model Railroad Scenery.
There is also a picture of Thomas on Jim's layout.
There are some excellent idea's presented here
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
Edited by - Bbags on 03/11/2003 10:35:26 PM |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13050 |
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 03/23/2003 : 3:45:54 PM
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Hi all
The following was posted on the Atlas Forum on the cleaning of track.
question
Several of you folks have been advocating the use of MAAS polish for cleaning trackage, but you never mentioned the method you were using. So, do you follow the directions on the box, use it in track cleaning cars, clean the in-between rail spaces after use or just how do you use it?
answer
MAAS is one of many cleaners in my arsenal of cleaners. I am pleased
with it.
I wrap some old T-shirt material around a small block, like a brite boy.
Apply the polish across the t-shirt/block and drag it across the rail head. Don't let it dry and follow up with an untreated T-shirt/block.
The response was from Chuck Walsh who must like the system as he has The Clean Machine from Tony's for sale.
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4052
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
Edited by - Bbags on 03/23/2003 3:50:52 PM |
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Country: USA
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 05/19/2003 : 10:11:30 PM
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Hi all
I am providing a link to a topic for attaching track to foam as there is some excellent information found here. So if the other thread dies off you will still be able to find it here.
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4304
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13050 |
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Trainman2001
New Hire
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Posted - 02/04/2004 : 12:14:32 PM
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For O'scales and especially hi-rail, I am using Vinylbed from Hobby Innovations. Made entirely out of recycled vinyl particals, this reasonably-scale-looking product has some nice advantages. Mainly, it bends to tight radii without needing cutting and it is quiet. Using big o'gauge monster engines on plywood makes a terrible racket unless using some sound-deadening under the track. Vinylbed works well for this as long as you don't screw the track down through the roadbed.
I use either Liquid Nails or water-based urethane cements and it works fine to hold both the vinyl to the sub-roadbed and the track to the vinyl. Product isn't cheap, but it does everything the manufacturer says it does. Here is a pic of the installation under way.
It has a nice gray color that even before ballasting, which I am going to do, it doesn't look bad. You can get away with it a while during construction. The beveled edge is already there and the ends are beveled with positive and negative alternating angles so they nest together very closely. Use a sharp utility knife to cut it, but it is somewhat abrasive and dulls the blade fairly fast. Keep sharp blades handy.
Myles
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Edited by - Trainman2001 on 02/04/2004 12:16:44 PM |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 30 |
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CNWfan
New Hire
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Posted - 02/15/2004 : 09:41:50 AM
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Has anybody used Vinylbed for N scale ?
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Chessie1973
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 05/23/2004 : 9:28:57 PM
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Has anyone here used the AMI Instand roadbed material?
My Local Train shop is carrying this and he swears by it. No glue required at all to either lay the track or ballast it and you can remove the track and roadbed after if needed without destroying it as well.
It sounds like a good product but I wanted to know if anyone here had used it before and could give an impression.
I am seriously thinking of getting this product and giving it a try if no one has used it to give my impressions of it when I begin my redo of my layout. If it works out I will definitely be stocking up on this product in the future as it seems like it would offer a great shortcut method of laying track and ballasting as well as sidewalks, roads and pretty much any other type of surface you may need in model railroading.
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| Randall E hitchcock |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 112 |
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postalkarl
Fireman
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Posted - 05/23/2004 : 11:35:39 PM
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Hi All:
Call me old fashioned but I still like 1/2 inch plywood with homosote on the top. I also don't like cork roadbed. I lay my track right on top of the homosote. Before laying the track I nip of about every 5th tie on both sides so as to make the ties uneven on the ends. Then the track is layed. Next it is painted with Floquil rail brown spray paint. Then the tops of the rails are cleaned off after the pait is dry by dragging a single edged razor blade over them and finished up with a bright boy. Then I stain the ties with oak stain and then every 5th tie or so is stained grey to represent rotted ties. Then track is ballasted with Highball HO dark grey genuine limestone ballast available from Walthers. I put it down dry and get it just right with a soft brush. After I have it the way I want it I use an eye dropper and apply rubbing alcohal to the ballast as a wetting agent. Then I use an eyedropper and apply Woodland Scenics scenic cement. I allow this to dry overnight. The next day after all is dry I mix Artists oil lamp black and turpintine as a wash and this is applied down the center of the track. Then I take Polyscale Rust and drybrush the ties and ballast on the outsides of the rails. I know this sounds like a lot of work but when finished you have track that is a model in itself.
Karl S.
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wnanney
Crew Chief
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Posted - 06/04/2004 : 5:49:21 PM
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I am embarrassed to put these pictures up on this forum but I did say I would share some with you as my layout starts to progress. Only basic stuff done right now but I will update next week as I plan on getting some ground cover and ballast done on the risers this weekend.
Started the various hills and cliffs to hold the risers in place, etc. Track laying has begun.
Started running trains to test track, etc.
Track is completed, place is cleaned up, base coat of paint is down, wind turbines are on Cajon Pass and now to start the real scenery stuff.
First steps are to cover the risers as if they are retaining walls due to space limitations on this part of the layout. Cover is stone so that it looks presentable rather than just putting simple concrete or concrete blocks on it.
SO - You see, I am getting it done - slowly but surely.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 535 |
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 06/07/2004 : 11:43:49 AM
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Looks good Bill.
Did you find the WS risers and inclines easy to work with.
Also did you just glue the sectional track to the risers.
Please also feel free to add more pictures of your progress to this thread as I am sure your progress with be a help to others in the future.
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13050 |
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MP Rich
Fireman
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Posted - 06/25/2004 : 10:26:43 PM
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In doing some track laying I was forced to remember an old trick that I had not used in a while. We have been laying Atlas switches on cork roadbed over blue foamboard. We came up with a switch that had the end broken on the turnout throwbar. Seven year old boys have been nearby. 
That left us with a problem attaching the Caboose Industries ground throw. I have also had times when due to nearby track, buildings, or other reasons, I have wanted to change the side where the throw was mounted. 
With a bit of piano wire and some bending it is possible to mount the throw wherever you want.
Bend the piano wire up 90 degrees and then again 90 degrees to lock it on the throw and the turnout throw bar.
Drill holes to match your wire size in both bars and force the wire through. The two bends in each end will hold the wire in place. Cut out the area under the switch throwbar and you're done with the modification. Hope you can find it handy.  Richard
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smason2
Fireman
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Posted - 06/30/2004 : 09:47:12 AM
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Hi Folks,
I'm in the subroadbed, roadbed, track stages of a layout that will fill a 1,400 square foot basement. I did some research into sub and roadbed materials, and based my decisions on the following criteria: stability and longevity of the material, ability to withstand the constant changes in temperature and humidity in a New England basement, cost, ease of installation and availability.
As a result, I have chiseled my benchwork, subroadbed and roadbed out of concrete...just kidding!
When all was said and done, the traditional materials won out...1/2" plywood for the subroadbed, and Homabed for the roadbed. The latter is a milled homasote product that comes in a variety of profiles and thicknesses. It is somewhat expensive, but cutting homasote is a major pain in the arse, so this was a good trade off.
I found that none of the materials that I looked at absorbed sound any better than the next, and unlike cork, homasote won't dry out and crumble, and will hold spikes.
Scott Mason
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Edited by - smason2 on 06/30/2004 09:48:14 AM |
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