Advice on new layout: an old newbie.

[DVConnecticut]

I am returning to a layout I started 20 years ago. It is unusual because it is being created on solid rock in my basement. I sculpted a raised roadbed in plaster and stopped there. I have been looking at various posts and see that the preferred layout seems to be foam board with or without wood on top. This is apparently for sound reduction. Not possible here, although I suspect sound will not be my greatest problem. Would you suggest laying a cork or foam roadbed on top of this plaster or adhering the track directly to the plaster? I not planning on a very fancy layout, just something for the grandkids (and me) to play with. I still have trains from the 1970's when my brother built a very nice layout.

 

[Rico]

Wow now there’s something I’ve never seen before, looks kinda neat tho.
My first thought is to just get a piece of plywood (maybe 3x4?) and take it from there.
At least it could be moved around.
My second thought is to fasten the track down with a latex calk that could be removed later if needed.
I rarely have a third thought.

 

[DVConnecticut]

When our foundation was poured, they scraped the dirt off the rock face and rather than blast more, we opted to have a knee wall poured on the rock. When I saw the contours, I thought, "That would make a great train set some day." They did pour some concrete down the gap (where the blue pads are now and it looked like a fast running river. The goal was to bridge that and continue to the far side of the basement. Doubtful that will happen as there is too much stuff there now. I was thinking of a small mining town, circa 1930. I have my brother's N-Gauge, HO scale mining train to also work with.

 

[migalyto]

Wow now there’s something I’ve never seen before, looks kinda neat tho.
My first thought is to just get a piece of plywood (maybe 3x4?) and take it from there.
At least it could be moved around.
My second thought is to fasten the track down with a latex calk that could be removed later if needed.
I rarely have a third thought.

My first thought was to level a piece of foam on a base.. Not only for a level surface to start but to also act as a vapor barrier.

The condensation from the stone would possibly cause all kinds of issues. Plus running wires mounted to the slab would add
a degree of difficulty running wiring.

 

[migalyto]

Pardon my manners

Welcome to the group DVconnecticut.

A great friendly knowledgeable bunch here. Glad you found us.

 

[DVConnecticut]

My first thought was to level a piece of foam on a base.. Not only for a level surface to start but to also act as a vapor barrier.

The condensation from the stone would possibly cause all kinds of issues. Plus running wires mounted to the slab would add
a degree of difficulty running wiring.

The basement has a high performance dehumidifier and runs about 40% in the winter, less in the summer. What you see has been there for 20+ years and has held up well. It also helps that we are the top of a hill, so no water gets in.

 

[KriegslokBR52]

That's a cool "dungeon railroad". I'd probably try cork caulked down to the base and track caulked down onto the cork. That would make for a lot quieter train running, you can bet that you will get tired of the noise if you run directly on the concrete slab. The one thing i would change on the loop would be one of the switches, they both enter the loop same way and the only way out of the loop currently is to back out. Looks like an interesting project, keep us posted.

 

[diesel]

The Rock Island Line?

 

[DeaconKC]

Hi, welcome to the place.
I think you've got an incredible foundation to build on. My idea is to cut extruded foam insulation board to lay directly on the concrete with latex caulk. This gives you something to anchor track/roadbed to, you can cut trenches in it for wiring and you can use the foam to attach other scenery to.

 

[DVConnecticut]

Well, I already have a raised track bed formed from plaster. It was painted black with tempra paint, so I am not sure whether the foam track bed I bought will adhere to the painted plaster without a sealer of some sort. Alternatively, I could sand the paint off, but the surface will still be chaulky.

 

[trailrider]

Well, I already have a raised track bed formed from plaster. It was painted black with tempra paint, so I am not sure whether the foam track bed I bought will adhere to the painted plaster without a sealer of some sort. Alternatively, I could sand the paint off, but the surface will still be chaulky.

Probably bath & tub calk or something similar will glue the foam track bed to the plaster. Good luck and Happy Holidays and Railroading!

 

[Mixed Freight]

If you want a simple little layout, I'd recommend forgetting cork or foam roadbed and simply adhering your track directly to your plaster roadbed with acrylic caulk. Briefly, lay a small bead of caulk down the center line of the intended track location, then smear the bead out with an old playing card, or old credit card, or similar. Smear it down like a thin coat of paint, so it doesn't mush up around the ties when you place the track. Pin the track down, if pins will push into the plaster roadbed, or weight the track down with suitable weights, until the caulk dries (usually gives you about 15 minutes or so of working time before it starts drying).
For wiring, run wires to the tracks wherever you need to, then cover the wires with masking tape and paint with cheap acrylic craft paint to more or less match the concrete or plaster roadbed. You could even use some more plaster on top of the tape before painting if you wanted to blend it in better.
If you wanted to get a little more fancy, you could even try your hand at ballasting the track. There's been plenty of tutorials posted on this subject if you do a search.
I guarantee noise won't be a problem on a solid slab of rock or concrete, because you're not laying your track over an acoustic drum head. Which is what most table-type construction of any and all types generally ends up being, if you really think about it.
If you want a simple little layout for now, I wouldn't expend any more effort than you really need to. Save that for a bigger, better, badder layout if the urge hits in the future!