Hi
I have a few questions about the do’s and dont’s of a railroad.
Firstly is roadbed essential to get a "realistic"look? I got some cork from my LHS to use as roadbed but it doesen’t bend like it should. What i mean is that it wont do curves. Am i doing something wrong?
Secondly in the area of a 2x6 (with possible expansion) would you reccomend a switching or a continuos running layout?
Thirdly, What is railfanning? I have always wonderred that![:)]
Any advise or answers would be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks
P’goo
never had a prob bending corkbed, ive done all my layout with it ,i tack it down first then go back ,if its right i nail it down
I tried and it somply will not bend. It bends sideways but when you lay it flat it does not bed.
I’m not sure what to do
P’goo
Soak short 2 ft sections of the cork roadbed in hot water and let it sit for a couple of minutes.This will make it plyable and allow bending to fit the curves. Split the sections down the middle and lay it down in place using white glue and thumb tacks. Make sure the beveled edges are correctly oreinted to the outside and then let it dry overnite.
With 2’ by 6’ switching is all you will have room for.
Pav,
Split it down the middle (if it’s two section cork), scribe the center line of your curve on the roadbed and align one half along that line tacking it with map pins every few inches. Once it’s in place glue the other half down using the first half as your guide, again taking it in place. Then use the glued section as a guide for the other, repeating the process. Give it a while to set and be careful when pulling the pins. Soaking the cork first is a fantastic idea if it really seems to need it.
2X6 would make continuous running near impossible. Maybe you should consider a dogbone design, rounded, wider ends to accommodate the curves.
Railfanning is done when the brakes on a boxcar get too hot. That’s what the guys in the little trucks are out there doing… wait a second… that ain’t right…[banghead]
Railfanning is the process of getting out there and looking at trains in action. Copping pictures and details for either collecting or as reference for future weathering projects. When someone says they prefer continuous running layouts to switching ops because they like to railfan they mean they like to get down to eye level with their layout and watch the trains pass.
Dave (dwRavenstar) (Gotta start spell checking these [:I])
Are you using the cork roadbed as it comes from the LHS? It normally comes with squared off sides and a diagonal slit in the middle. It is supposed to be cut though this slit into two pieces, then used with the angled edges on the outside, to resemble sloped roadbed. These half pieces of roadbed can easily be bent into really sharp curves with no problem, on half at a time. Clear?
Railfanning is what railway enthusiasts to - visiting railways, watching trains, taking photos, etc.
Bob Boudreau
So, no, roadbed isn’t necessary for a realistic look, but raising a main line somewhat and ballasting it IS. The roadbed helps to elevate and anchor the track, depending on the method, so is desireable. It is ballasting, however, that gives it the miniature real-thing appeal.