Dear forum, I really need your help. I glued my ME track with latex caulk. I superelevate the curves by using styrene on the outside of the curve under the ties. The superelevation goes from 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm and back again. One day when I visited the layout room I saw a curve that did not look like it should. I discovered that the track was loose. I think it’s because the track is superelevated and maybe I got too little glue under the outside of the track. That’s the only reason I can think of. Now I need help. How do I fasten the track so it won’t destroy everything I have built so far? PANIC!!!
If the track is in the correct position and the superelevation is also correct, I think when you ballast, the material will flow under the ties as on the prototype. Once the ballast is glued in place, I think it will hold the track as designed.
Don Z.
Hello if you can find a bigger shot with out the needle you may be able to get some glue under the track in small amounts. The shot may be hard to find but check you loco drug store. Or you might be able to use a the shot thing from a two part epoxy. Hope this helps Frank
I think Don Z. is right. You may want to put a light weight on the rails as the ballast dries to insure that the track is in the proper position; but once the glue dries, your track is not going anywhere…
EL, what exactly does, “…the track didn’t look right,” mean? Had it torsioned so that it was now super-super elevated? Was it almost vertical? Had it sprung outward along the radius and now taken on a much sharper one at the apex? Had it bowed upward into a bridge?
If the track is still in place mostly, and only lifted somewhat off the styrened shims, then do the ballasting there right away and weight the tracks into the ballast while it dries. I agree that placing weight on them now would help, and that dried ballast will hold them in place for good. You may want to ensure a gap on one end of that curve in any event.
-Crandell
I prefer the old fashioned way of using spikes or track nails to fix my track down. If something needs adjusted before the ballast is glued into place, its easy to adjust things.
I agree with the others, if the track position is ok but just loose then ballast it and you will be fine. If it is loose and in the wrong position the try putting some caulk on a putty knife and sliding it under the track.
I agree. The problem will be fixed when the track is ballasted. If you can’t wait that long you can always find a way to inject some glue under the track.