Hello everyone, and happy new year. I myself am a model railroading rookie and had a question involving track support. I have a piece of track that elevated off the ground due to a change in elevation,one end touches the ground and the other has a small foam support. To prevent the center for sagging and also adding realism to my scene, what is the best way to fill in beneath the track on the elevated side? I tried using regular balast and it looks ok piled up, but not the greatest. Any ideas?
Fillin' the Gaps
- Thread starter Joltdawg
- Start date
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Hi,
*Smooth*, kink free, trackwork is essential to a smooth running railroad! As for support options, Woodland Scenics make some really, really, nice foam risers in 2, 3 and 4% grades that work well. But they ain't cheap!
The track needs supporting throughout it's entire length - Pieces of foam & then shims (styrene or wood) under it to get it *level* (across the rails) and smooth should be OK - That roadbed has gotta be smooth & level - How you do that is up to you....
An alternative is a thin (flexible) piece of homasote or plywood cut to shape and bent into the grade - Easier if you're working from an open grid rather than a flat sheet.
A further note;
- Do not have any joins at the top or bottom of the grade - If possible, start the grade slowly, increase as needed and then reduce smoothly over the top before it hits another connector.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Ian
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Hi,
*Smooth*, kink free, trackwork is essential to a smooth running railroad! As for support options, Woodland Scenics make some really, really, nice foam risers in 2, 3 and 4% grades that work well. But they ain't cheap!
The track needs supporting throughout it's entire length - Pieces of foam & then shims (styrene or wood) under it to get it *level* (across the rails) and smooth should be OK - That roadbed has gotta be smooth & level - How you do that is up to you....
An alternative is a thin (flexible) piece of homasote or plywood cut to shape and bent into the grade - Easier if you're working from an open grid rather than a flat sheet.
A further note;
- Do not have any joins at the top or bottom of the grade - If possible, start the grade slowly, increase as needed and then reduce smoothly over the top before it hits another connector.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Ian
jdetray
Well-Known Member
Some types of spray foam expand a lot and are very difficult to control. It is very easy to use too much, and it will get out of control. If you use this type of product, look for the minimal expansion type.
A better way, in my opinion, is to use blocks of extruded foam to support the track, something like I have done on my layout:
- Jeff
A better way, in my opinion, is to use blocks of extruded foam to support the track, something like I have done on my layout:
- Jeff
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)