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Finally getting the yard figured out, as i am im seeing all my gaps where the rail joiners connect the tracks together. My question is...is there any ties out there with out the knobs on them so they are flat and can slide under the joiners and that?
Second question..what is the best road system out there for my city streets? what are the pros and cons of the walthers street system or is there one better out there?
if you use flex track save some RR ties that you cut off and shave down the spikes then slip them under the rail joiners just make sure they are flush and level after installed
Road systems are fine if you planned ahead for them. I like to take plaster of paris and make my own roads. It drys in about 10 mins depending how thick its applied and you can sand shortly after. The road systems are more a PITA as they dont really countour to the layout, you need a 100% flat surface unless you tack the roadways down. Each layout is diffrent and will allow for diffrent methods
here is my city area. I used plaster of paris to get over the mainline and down into the industry then the foam board was airbrushed concrete color. I added some lines with a grey pencil to make slabs of concrete. Its not finished but worked well for my applacation I should also note this is a pop up section so you will see a crack in the foam where it lifts out.
I use micro engineering dyed black ties. I ran out so for now I’m just using bass wood which I’ll dye or paint later. In the photo below you can hardly see the added 3 ties under the soldered curved joint. Once you add the ballast their hard to see.
In my experience with the Walthers street system I would say I did not like it. There are to many seems with it. The sidewalks are the only good thing about it...
I go along with Trent, that the easiest way is to take your hobby knife and cut the spikeheads off removed ties, then put a drop of white glue down and slide them in place.
Also, there is a thread on here somewhere about city streets and materials. There is a heap of info posted in it. I settled for cutting styrene for my streets.
