Recommended adhesive for glueing N scale track to cork.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am at the track laying phase of the new layout. In the past I have always used track nails, but this time I have plywood subroadbed and it is very hard to get nails in it without bending them and kinking the flextrack. I’m think ing of going with the adhesive method, but what are some of the best adhesives to use to secure track to cork?

Ron

2

For both cork to plywood and track to cork, I recommend clear 100% silicone adhesive you can get at hardware store or Wall*Mart, Home Depot/Lowes, etc. The reasons: 1 it allows adjustments while curing. and 2 it allows easy removal if you want to make changes in the future. Draw your centerlines and lay cork on one side at a time lapping joints. lay a 1x4 on top and set some books or weights on it for an hour or two, then move on to the next sections. Same procedure with track. It’s great.

3

I use household white glue (like Elmers) or carpenters yellow glue. Whichever I have handy. I have some nearly 20 year old N TRAK modules where I used these glues.

If I latter decide to remove or relocate some track, a putty knife can be used to break it loose.

4

Thanks for the tips. I had thought about Elmer’s glue, but was concerned it might let go with time. Its good to hear that it holds on with time.

Ron

5

Just an additional note…carpenter’s glue will do just fine but be careful not to have it under the moving parts of your turnouts.I’ve done it and guess what?

6

use elmers glue… brush it on to the road bed…and put the track down…you are going to have to tack it down to hold it in place and put something with some weight on it to keep it down in the glue and roadbed
csx engineer

7

Plain cheap latex caulk works very, very well, plus it’s much cheaper than the silicone. I bought 6-packs of red devil caulk for $1.99 on clearance at Home Depot last year.

8

Does the Red Devil dry clear?

9

Aleene’s Tacky Glue, or even better, Aleene’s Quick Dry tacky glue. I used it to stick Code 55 flex to cork and foam, even on tight radii, and it held the track like a charm. The Quick Dry stuff dries solid after an hour or so. Does not damage track, and is not softened by the wetted diluted glue mixtures typically poured for ballast. Hold the track down with tack board pins while it dries. Available at WalMart.