Basic Beginner Questions

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Here are some really basic questions:

  1. Has anyone used mdf as a substitute for a plywood table top? Any pros or cons?
  2. How do you attach a rail joiner? It looks like it should slide over the bottom, but to do so with Atlas flextrack, you would have to remove some ties.
  3. How do you remove ties from Atlas flextrack?
2

2. How do you attach a rail joiner? It looks like it should slide over the bottom, but to do so with Atlas flextrack, you would have to remove some ties.

That’s exactly what you have to do, usually one or two at each end.

3. How do you remove ties from Atlas flextrack?

Turn it over and you’ll see that the ties are connected usually on one side only. Cut through this piece with a pair of diagonal cutting pliers, or with a razor saw, or with a good hobby knife. After making the cut, the ties you want to remove can be easily
twisted off.

Can’t help on the MDF question. But you might try the forum search option searching on mdf and see what messages turn up.

Regards

Ed

3

jimpetit,

I belive that MDF will sag over time and not quite as stable as plywood and/or Extruded Foam Insulation (EFI). Foam is the virtually unaffected by changes in temperature and humiditly. What you want is an absolute bedrock for benchwork so to minimize the amount of movement underneath your track for consistent and smooth running operations.

Tom

4

Thanks alot for the help.

5

Have used MDF but it is on a frame supported by wall brackets.
Just be careful you don’t get it too wet when scenicking though.

Brian

6

To help beginners with a number of questions, the NMRA created the ‘introduction to Model Railroading’ pages at: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

It may not help with mdf, but it can help with many others. [:)]

7

If you’re supporting your roadbed at appropriate intervals, I would stay away from MDF. it doesn’t like water, and size for size, i think it’s much heavier than the same thickness plywood…