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jamajack · ‎01-20-2005

Here is a site with some good information. http://www.billsrailroad.net/bills-ballasting.html Like the gentleman says everybody has their own way of doing it, but he offers some good advice that may just twig your memory or be new info you can use.. Have a look, I found some of his info helpful. Maybe we could use this thread and add other pieces of information all in one place where others could refer to instead of all over the place. Jack

ginzokid · ‎01-20-2005

Like you said Jack, what ever works for you. That is why this is a fun hobby. I do it one way, you do it another, and we both enjoy the results to our own satisfaction. I only wish the pictures were clearer. It was hard to see just what the difference was between the road bed base. Funny, but in several other threads I have said that I use the Elmers white glue 2:1 also. Is there a pattern here? Thanks for the link. I'm sure we will all get something out of it. The Old One

beastranger · ‎01-20-2005

Very interesting! I'll still stick with cork though. Great site! Thanks Jack Punk

ginzokid · ‎03-19-2006

Has anyone looked at this still usable link lately? There is a lot of information here. We may have different methods than are shown here, but the techniques given on this site are very good and thought provoking. Just trying to keep the joy alive......:D B-) & :x

beastranger · ‎03-19-2006

Thanks for bringing it forward Pete. As I'm getting into the scenery stage, including ballasting I'll need all the help and criticism I can get. Punk

ginzokid · ‎03-20-2006

I bumped two other threads for you Punk. Did a search and found 24 pages and 359 posts regarding scenery. Have fun browsing! B-) & :x

spottzz · ‎03-20-2006

Do any of you "paint" your track? And the rubber roadbed, is it any good? I have always used "cork" and am very happy with it. After ballasting, do any of you remove the "nails"? Thanks, Bill in Phoenix

ginzokid · ‎03-20-2006

Bill, I use a weathering solution on my track instead of paint. Micro-Engineering. It conducts electricity where paint will not. WS foam and AMI rubber road bed are not my personal favorites, although I have tried them. I use cork myself. If the ballast covers the nails, I leave them in. Any that show through, I remove. Simple as that. I hate extra work. B-)

beastranger · ‎03-20-2006

I leave the nails in. Actualy it never crossed my mind to take them out. Punk

flaretired · ‎03-21-2006

You guys got me going on taking out the nails. If you take out the nails what holds the track to the roadbed? I am no where close to putting ballast down, but on my previous layout I used ballast that was fine ground up rock. All I glued was on the edge of the roadbed. Chuck ?:|

dl85vette · ‎03-21-2006

One trick I did when I laid train on top of rigid foam insulation was to spray the foam with #m spray adhesive, lay th ecork down and repeat procedure for flextrack. I would then insert of nails to hold curves into position until everything set up. Then the nails were pulled. Anywhere where I layed tack on wood, I left nails installed. I can't seeing ballast holding cuved area of flextrack. I will leave those nails in anyways. I use cork roadbed also. As an afterthought I may track the side parts of track to look more real. dave

ginzokid · ‎03-21-2006

The nails hold the track down until you ballast. Then the glue in the ballast actually holds the track down, yes Dave, even on flex-track curves. But as was said before, if the nails are not noticable, why do the extra work to remove them. I did one layout using nothing but a latex project adhesive for both the cork to the plywood and the track to the cork. You pump out a bead of adhesive, spread it flat with a putty knife and lay the cork or track on to it. It held beautifully without any nails at all and once ballasted, the track was going no where. B-)

beastranger · ‎03-21-2006

I'm always amazed at how solid the track becomes after ballasting but I'd still leave the nails. Unless they rust, I really don't notice them. Punk

ginzokid · ‎03-21-2006

Punk, I have no idea what those Atlas track nails are made of or coated with, but I have reused them over and over again for years without losing many to rust at all. There appears to be some sort of protective coating on them. As for the rusting, that's natural weathering if you get it......:D B-) & :x