Tonight I finally laid some roadbed on my railroad. I started several months ago with building a room in my garage, but after deciding we may look for a new home I scrapped the room plans. I have now gone to a fairly simple 4x8 plywood table to just run some trains. It’s going to be nothing fancy but it’s a start. I was amazed tonight at how much cork can be laid with caulk and a few pins. I’ll bet it took less than 20 minutes to complete the “mainline”. I’ll try and post a pic tomorrow, but for now the finance officer of the railroad is calling my name!!!
Another convert! I was a bit skeptical about the caulk until I tried it, now I will never go back to nailing the roadbed and track. That is probably the single most handy innovation in the hobby in years.
–Randy
Okay, I’m sold. (Actually, I was convince long ago, Randy, but, this pushed me over the edge.)
Show us pix along the journey, toolbox.
What is the amount you put down? I have a 1" wide body filler spreader and was guessing an almost see thru coat. About right? Or just make sure it does not OOZE between the ties.
Adding ballast, sprinkel, brush and wet like the old days?
Congrats!
I will post as I go, I just now took a break to peek in here from laying the outer oval of track. The caulk is awesome. I did mess up and get white instead of clear, but I am hoping the ballast will cover that. I clipped the tube of caulk as small as possible the bead may be 3/32" wide and I recommend smashing it a bit with a putty knife of some sort to keep the ooze from between the ties somewhat. The roadbed is down tight using the same size bead under each half and as seems logical it smashes itself as you go so no need to smooth it at all. I laid the roadbed last night. Thats all for now, going back to laying track, will post a pic later or tomorrow.