i’m modeling a local elevator. the ground is flush w/ the rails. is plaster the best way to go the make this work. i’ve seen guys having to to dig out the rails after a big rain.
Yes plaster is an easy way to get the effect you want. I suggest that you lay the track directly to the base without cork, this will make things easier. You don’t have to lay plaster to the top of the rail, just get the ties covered and then use soil, ground foam etc for the final look which be flush with the top of the rails.It will look very realistic.
Around my grain elevator I used sawdust as piles of spilled corn / grain.
You could just nail down the track with no roadbed, then fill with ballast and or real dirt. I sand my dirt so it is very fine, I use 36 grit paper.
Cuda Ken
I used earth, fine ground foam, a hint of ballast. Check all boxcar doors to dock or/and building doors to see if they match up before you decide to use roadbed or not.
Since you model the MKT & CB&Q, I had to look up to see where Arch City was. It must be close to St. Louis. I’d like to say, “Howdy, neighbor”. We live in Clinton, on the other side of the state. I model a fictional short line of MoPac, the Clinton-Golden Valley RR. We get actual rail service from the Missouri-Northern Arkansas.
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Howdy back at You!
Yes I live in South St. Louis County. I belong to the Boeing Employees’ Railroad Club St. Louis ( Formerly the McDonnell Douglas RR Club).