Benchwork and roadbed
Nolix Benchwork
I've just about completed the renovation of my 12' x 30' basement RR Room, and guess it's time put some real thought into the layout deck design.
Cork for Roadbed
I am building a backwoods layout with marginal track work with little ballast. I have found the bought roadbed is too thick (and too costly). I buy rolls of cork that is just over 1/16th of an inch thick. For track I leave it rolled up in its package and run it through my band saw at whatever width I need and poof, instant roadbed. For curves I cut them in half down the center for ease of bending. I cut switches, crossing and other needs from the sheet with scissors and a template.
Goal - quieter track
Your input please!
My present layout is using 3/4" plywood as the roadbed with cork attached and the track on top of the cork glued down in some areas and spiked in others. The scenery is cardboard strips attached to the plywood roadbed with hot gue and then covered with plaster cloth that covers the strips and the plywood.
My problems:
Sub Road Bed Material
I have seen another, I think, layout using drywall as a sub road bed. I believe that Joe F also has used this material and I know it has been discussed here a bit before. I am at a loss, all I can think of is negatives to using this material,
Why is spline roadbed screwed down instead of up?
I have just been re-reading "How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork". Mr Wescott is pretty adamant about attaching everything from below so it can be detached later from underneath if needed. But everything I have been reading about spline roadbed has the spline being screwed down from above to the riser. Why is that? Is spline less likely to need adjusting than plywood roadbed? Or is the spline too soft to be "toenailed" (toescrewed?) to a cleat from below? Or something I haven't even thought of?
~Ken
Advice on benchwork construction
Hi all,
I'm after some advice on benchwork design for a multi deck layout. I have read "designing benchwork for multi deck layouts" and this has provided me with some very valuable information to date. However I'm looking at having a 24" (600mm) overhanging deck for the majority of the layout. There are sections that may be upto a metre (39") and this is why I'm seeking help.
Starting Spline Roadbed
I have read a bit about using spline roadbed and right now I use two splines of clear pine space with spacers. I use risers (between the splines) as needed. The spline is attached to each side of the risers to secure it in place. But if you are making a solid roadbed 2 inches thick of 1/4 inch hardboard how do you secure it to risers?
Doug M
Transfer table staging?
Hi,
I'm thinking of making a transfer table as my staging yard for a small switching layout. I haven't been able to find many examples so I'm putting it out there to see what you all think. Do you have one or have you seen something like this. I'm looking for ideas. I'll try to attach an image of what I'm thinking of.
Ballast Another Clinic on track Ballast with a few good points
As many of you know I subscribe to almost all Model Railroad Magazines and periodicals.
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