Comments on: Problems Lining Up Track https://blog.model-train-help.com/2016/05/problems-lining-up-track.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=problems-lining-up-track Model railroads and model trains Wed, 25 May 2016 02:08:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Newman Atkinson https://blog.model-train-help.com/2016/05/problems-lining-up-track.html#comment-13602 Wed, 25 May 2016 02:08:54 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=4081#comment-13602 David,
I made a radius stick and it has a mount board that screws down to the table . I use a yard stick mounted at the radius point and a pencil at the mark I want on the plywood for the center of the road bed. Works well for laying flex track. If you are using sectional track set the measuring tool to a fixed set of sectional track and them place that radius on as I said for the flex track
If you need longer than a yard stick get a four footer or make a measuring stick long enough.

Since my layout sections are like modular this measuring stick will sometimes have it’s radius point off the table. That is why you have a mounting stick to hold the radius point. Also while you are working these marks from a straight section to the radius curve you want track to blend into the radius and not to suddenly make the radius. That is like making a turn in your car and you jerk the steering wheel. By blending into the curve it makes a smooth transition. Watch a Lionel train run around a sectional track. It jerks into the curve. from Newman Atkinson

]]> By: Frank B https://blog.model-train-help.com/2016/05/problems-lining-up-track.html#comment-13584 Tue, 24 May 2016 03:42:51 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=4081#comment-13584 I am not experienced in using cork roadbed, but I would guess that by temporarily laying the track in its intended place first, then drawing a pencil line along just outside the ties, you would have a sufficiently accurate guideline. If it will eventually be covered by ballast, perfectly accuracy is not required.

]]> By: Ken Weidner https://blog.model-train-help.com/2016/05/problems-lining-up-track.html#comment-13581 Tue, 24 May 2016 03:13:55 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=4081#comment-13581 I use a layer of Homasote on top of 1/2 ply for my table tops. It makes spiking, nails, etc, easier. It’s heavier, but it is nothing like working with glue and plywood. I also use cork in my staging tracks and some sidings (because I got a bunch of it in a lot of other stuff at an auction).
I pin through the roadbed (could be done with cork too), using those tall T-shaped foam/craft pins. I push the pins through the roadbed before it goes down, it is easy to hit the center of the track center line (Sharpie® or other permanent marker).
But enough about me; you said you were laying cork on plywood. When I’ve done that before, the cork roadbed splits down the middle, and you reverse the two halves to make a roadbed, so you are only lining up one “half” (or side) of the roadbed at a time. That should make hitting your mark easy enough (and glue to plywood should be easy-peasy).

]]>