Since the 4x8’ layout is hoisted on cables, to stow in its “lid” attached to the ceiling, weight is important. The track is on the standard foam rubber underlayment on top of a fiberboard (Celotex like) material. Any suggestions as to materials and procedures would be appreciated. Would your suggestion also work to bring the between-tracks area of the yard to railhead level ?
Thanks a bunch, Geohan
The woodland scenics ballast is wallnut shells. Pretty light.
Didn’t think of that. Thanks. Would diluted white glue be appropriate?
There are lots of glues being used. I used 50-50 white-glue and water with an eye dropper. I dropped a some soap diluted water on it first so the glue would penetrate. It worked, but after listening to others talk, there might be better solutions.
I used the Woodland Scenics fine and medium buff colored ballast mixed. I sprayed rubbing alcohol on the ballast to dampen it before applying the 50/50 white glue/water mix, and then sprayed with rubbing alcohol again to insure the glue penetrated. Rubbing alcohol evaporates faster than water so the ballast will set up quicker.
Definitely use white glue and water. When you go to take the track up for another layout, just wet the ballast, wait a bit, then pull the track up. You can’t do that with matte medium. You’ll destroy the track trying to pull it up.
If weight is really an issue, The WS ballast is light as mentioned, between tracks could be raised using foamcore and other scenery done with extruded foam.
Bob K.
Lay all your yard tracks on a sheet of cork or Woodland Scenics foam roadbed sheet. You won’t need to build up between track areas in a yard and you can always cut away some sheet material for lower areas.
Did you see the threads on using textured spray paint as ballast? That might be lighter even than WS.