Need to glue RealTrax to foamboard?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Posted February 03, 2006 11:10 AM
New to hobby. Just constructed a 4x8 bench, and have put a layout with MTH REalTrax on it. Using plywood base, then 4’x8’x3/4" foam insulation board, then the track. The layout uses the RealTrax 24 pc trestle set for a good sized elevated portion. The track seems fairly heavy and seems to remain quite stationary already. I am at the point where if I am going to glue it down to the foamboard, I will do that soon. I would use Liquid Nails for Projects - Foamboard, if I do the glue step.

But, I am considering not using glue, but rather just pinning the track in places into the foamboard, or maybe drive some longer thin nails though the track holes, through the foam, and into the plywood. My thought is that it seems to be heavy and stable enough already to remain in place, and that using pins or nails (especially at the bases of the trestles) might be all I need.

I intend to then begin on scenery, to include a lake, some hills, a mountain tunnel at one end, a station, and an industrial site at one turnout, etc. Will my plan work, or is it doomed to failure for reasons of instability of the track over time, for lack of glue?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

2

good evening rolltide
i had a small christmas layout oval with one switch going into a stub siding on top of 1" of blue foam,the train was run at different speeds with no problems at all,and the switch worked flawlessly.the foam was glued down on cross braces every 16" using liquid nails for projects.i used this christmas display as a test for my lay out this summer.my layout will be 18’ across the back of the building and 20’ down both sides.using the same method as i did for the christmas layout i will run the trains in the summer and winter to see if there will be any movement of track ,the reason for this is the layout will be in a metal building subject to heat and cold variables.if there should be some movement i will just tack it down where it occurs and maybe right before and after the switches,using latex caulking as this would make it easier to change anything that may be needed.i don`t anticipate any problems with this method as the track seems heavy enough to stay in place. i hope this helps you out.