Trains.com Sites
|
Resources
|
Shop
|
Email Newsletters
Model Railroader
Model Railroader Video Plus
Garden Railways
Classic Toy Trains
Trains Magazine
Classic Trains
Community
Coming Events
Magazine Index
Model Railroader Groups
Railroad Attractions
Railroad Organizations
Webcams
Check out our
Digital Archive »
More Videos?
Visit MRVP »
MR Subscribers, check out the
new
All-Time Digital Archives »
Want More Videos ?
Visit MR Video Plus
Want More Videos ?
Visit MR Video Plus »
Login
or
Register
Follow us :
Facebook
SUBSCRIBE
Renew
Digital Editions
Give a Gift
Customer Service
Home
The Magazine
Get Started
News & Reviews
How To
Videos
Community
Special Issues
Shop
MENU
MR subscribers, check out the new All-Time Digital Archives
Current Issue
Issue Preview
Back Issues
Special Issues
Annual Index
Subscribe
Renew
Give a Gift
About us
Advertise with us
Advertiser Links
Sweepstakes
Press Releases
Contact us
Customer Service
Shop our store
Visit Model Railroader Video Plus
Subscriber Extras
Email Newsletter
Why Join?
Model railroad locomotive, freight car, structure, accessory, and decal announcements for January 21, 2021
Latest Headlines
Model railroad locomotives, freight cars, structures, decals, and more for January 14, 2021
Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger equipment, decal, and electronic announcements for January 7, 2021
ScaleTrains.com HO scale EMD SD45
Rapido Trains N scale General Electric Dash 8-40CM diesel locomotive
Jacksonville Terminal Co. N scale 53-foot well car
Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger equipment, structure, and decal announcements for December 24, 2020
Popular Topics
News & Products
Product Reviews
Sponsored Videos
HO scale Boston & Maine
Articles
Get Started
Track Planning & Operation
Model Train Layouts
Build a Model Railroad
Realistic Scenery
Tips & Projects
DCC & Electrical
Prototype Railroads
N Scale Insight
Model Railroading Tools
Track Plan Database
Product Reviews
Information Station
Expert Tips Video
Popular Topics
Locomotives
N Scale
Painting and Decaling
Project Railroads
Weathering
Shop Books & Digital Downloads
Modeler’s Spotlight Video – Inside Cody’s Office for January Part 1
Model Railroader
Issue Preview
Product Reviews
Cody's Office
Layout Visits
Expert Tips
Project Layouts
User Videos
Model Railroader Video Plus
Basics
Product Reviews
How To
Layouts
Series
Popular Topics
Bay Junction
Beer Line
Railfan
Thin Branch
Winter Hill Branch
Virginian
Shop DVDs
Model Railroad Ops for Shut-ins, Part 3 - Passenger Operations
Latest User Videos
River runby
B&O KK-4b pulling a load of empties
Santiam Division of the Union Pacific Raiload
Cab ride on Dale Junction
B&O 5213 Express with rider coach
Testing a brass Division Point Alco RS-2
Popular Topics
Photo Galleries
Forums
User Videos
New Products
Model Railroader 2021 Calendar
Build Your First Layout
Modeling Cities & Towns
In Our Store
Subscribe
Back Issues
Special Issues
Digital Downloads
Calendars
Books
Videos & DVDs
Modeling Tools
Gear
Current Issue
45 Years on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy
Model Railroad Planning 2021
Great Model Railroads 2021
Model Railroader's Best of Scenery
Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2020
View all »
Get Started
Magazine
News & Reviews
How To
Videos
Community
Special Issues
Shop
Model Railroader Archive
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
/
How To
/
Build a Model Railroad
/
Tracklaying: adhesives, nails, or spikes?
Tracklaying: adhesives, nails, or spikes?
Check out the different options for laying track on your model train layout
By
Jim Hediger, senior editor
| Published: Monday, October 21, 2019
Track and roadbed can be fastened to foam insulation board with construction adhesives made for use with the foamboard. Apply a ¼" bead along the center line, use a putty knife to spread it in a thin layer, and press the roadbed down into place. Add weights to hold it while the adhesive sets. Then the next day, the same procedure can be used to secure the track to the roadbed.
Good tracklaying
has a direct bearing on your railroad’s performance, so take the time to do a good job and it’ll pay off in a smooth-operating layout.
Roadbed is used under model track to simulate the layer of crushed rock that supports prototype track. Shaped cork or flexible plastic foam roadbed bends easily so it works well under curves.
A track center line is needed to install the roadbed. Cork roadbed comes in two pieces so the tapered edges go to the outside. Apply a bead of construction adhesive along the center line, spread it evenly with a putty knife, and then press each half of the cork roadbed into the adhesive as you follow the center line.
If the layout is made of foam insulation board, we use Locktite’s PL300 Foam Board Construction Adhesive (www.loctiteproducts.com), or Liquid Nails Project & Foamboard Adhesive no. LN-604 (www.liquidnails.com). This method requires weighting or pinning the roadbed down overnight to allow the adhesive to set.
Woodland Scenics makes Track-Bed, a foam plastic roadbed for N, HO, and O scales, and Foam Tack Glue and Foam Nails for use in installing the Track-Bed.
On a wood surface, flexible roadbed can be nailed down with ½" flat head wire nails instead of using adhesive.
After the cork roadbed is secure, I use a Stanley Surform block plane to smooth and level the top surface and gently round off the top corners for ballasting.
A nailset allows you to drive thin nails through the holes in the hard plastic roadbed without damaging the rails.
Laying the track
is mostly a matter of starting at one point and then carefully fitting the rail joints into the joiners as you work your way around the track plan. I usually start at a complicated junction so I can carefully align all of its components. Then I sight along the rails to make sure everything is straight.
Some brands of sectional track have rigid, molded plastic sectional roadbed with a rock ballast texture. Most of these sectional pieces include small mounting holes so the roadbed can be nailed to the benchtop. Others have drill starting points underneath so you can drill the holes as needed.
Atlas sells no. 2540 thin black track nails, and Peco offers no. SL-14 pins that are perfect for this job. Slip the rail joiners together, and drive the nails just tight enough to secure the rigid, plastic roadbed without distorting its shape. A nail set is handy for this job so you don’t hit and damage the rails or roadbed.
The cast sectional roadbed can also be secured with construction adhesive. Just spread the adhesive a little wider so the plastic edges are secured. Then add a few nails to hold the roadbed sections down while the adhesive sets.
Construction adhesive can also be used to secure the track. I dry-fit the track components before removing them while I apply a thin layer of adhesive on top of the roadbed. I’m careful to avoid applying adhesive under the switch rod or the points to keep the adhesive from oozing up between the ties where it may produce potential problems with the free motion of the switch points.
Track can also be spiked or nailed down using the small holes molded into the ties for this purpose. Nail holes run along the track center line and may need to be opened up with a small drill. I drive the nails about 4" to 5" apart so they’re snug without distorting the ties.
Spike holes are molded close to the rails on both sides. Use a pair of long-nose pliers, or Micro-Mark’s no. 82839 spiking pliers, to insert and drive the spikes. Grip the top half of the spike in the pliers so its offset head faces the rail with the main body of the spike sticking out below. Insert the spike in the hole at a slight angle and press it down until the pliers reach the tie. Release the spike, close the pliers, and use the flat end of the tip to gently press the spike home.
Join the discussion
Read and share your
comments
on this article
Related Articles
Simplify signaling with the Azatrax TS5 control circuit
Garden Railways Product Review PIKO America Powered Re-Railer
Toy Train Basics: Part 4, Changing traction tires
The Garden Variety Railroad Show: Trees, train, and an expansion plan, Episode 2
Ask MRVP: Episode 47
How to solder and conceal track feeder wires
The Garden Variety Railroad Show: Introduction, Episode 1
Ask MRVP: Episode 46
Ask MRVP: Episode 45
Other Stuff You Might Like
Model Railroader 2021 Calendar
Build Your First Layout
Modeling Cities & Towns
45 Years on the MR&T
Model Railroad Planning 2021
Model Railroader: 10-Year Archive 2010-2019 DVD-ROM
Great Model Railroads 2021
Model Railroader's Best of Scenery
MR Video Plus DVDs
Comment on this article
Want to leave a comment?
Only registered members of ModelRailroader.com are allowed to comment on this article. Registration is FREE and only takes a couple minutes.
Login
or
Register
now.
0 comments
Most recent
|
Oldest to newest
No one has commented yet.
FREE DOWNLOAD
Freight yard design and operation.
GET IT NOW
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The Magazine
Table of Contents
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up
By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from
Model Railroader
magazine. Please view our
privacy policy