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Fixing Track Bed Down
Merlin asks readers:
“When laying track to the track bed what is the best way of fixing it? Pin it or glue it? If glue what type of glue – is white PVA OK?”
Readers can add suggestions below.
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I have found that construction adhesive (such as that used to fasten blueboard) works quite well. Only a little bit per track section (either three foot sectional or the ties for handlaid), but a word of caution, once it is down, you have some time for adjustment, once it sets, it is set,
I nailed down my entire track initially. Then, after adding a mixture of fine and medium stone ballast to the track, I glued the ballast down with a solution of 50% wood PVA and 50% water mixed with a drop of dish-washing liquid to help the liquid to flow into the ballast. Use a dropper to add the solution to the ballast.
If you wish to repair or move any track later, I have found that the ballast can be broken up quite easily using a small screwdriver and then crushed for re-use if necessary.
Personally, when it comes to putting the track on the roadbed I believe it is better to nail it down rather than gluing it. Nailing it provides a better option if you need to replace track later. You do not have that option with glue or any other adhesive without having to do more dismantling.
hi, i glued it all down with a hot glue gun, basically i would run a small bead then run the tip over the glue to flatten nit out a bit before setting the track, if everything is glued down EG: track to foam track bead to foam base board you get the most sound deadening possible for a more realistic sounding railway.