You can screw your track directly to plywood, which is what I do. Some folks don’t like the noise that this produces; others, like me, don’t mind it at all. If you’re setting your plywood directly on a carpet, I would think that would go a long way toward reducing the noise.
Try: Home Depot or the local lumber store. Head for the “cull” section. Sometimes you can get a “good” deal. If you use plywood, I think that 1/4" thick covered by Homasote board will do OK. (Only my opinion)
Another idea: (Perish the thought that I should even mention it [;)]) “Dumpster Pads” Neighborhood construction sites - ask permission - are also sources.
ok i’m back again, I had o27 track and bought just o track, and I see now that the pins in o are very large and may not fit into o 27 track, does anyone know a way to maybe expand the holes or something? or anything
You will also find that the track sections are larger, the curves slightly gentler, and the track 1/4 inch higher. Any or all of this could make your layout design hard to put together. You can spread the end of a O27 rail with a screwdriver inserted from underneath, force an O31 pin (or a 7/64-inch drill bit or punch) in, then recrimp the rail around the larger pin. You can also shim up the O27 track to match the height of the O31. I would take the track back and try to exchange it for O27. Even if the store just replaced it piece-for-piece with no refund (O27 is cheaper), it would be worth it to avoid the hassle of trying to mix types of track.
Good advice from Mr. Nelson. If it were me, I’d go back and try for an exchange. I think, at this stage of the project, “to adjust” is just too much to do. (BUT, that is just my [2c])
I found that i’ll make the track work. becuase 1 all the track was on sale for about a dollar each (I love k-line) and that I ordered it online so I’ll just keep it.
Instead of homasote I prefer a different product, from the same maker, called sound board or sound stop. Holds screws better but the best part is that it’s cheaper. Believe it’s a 4’ x 8’ compressed paper product kinda like ceiling tiles. I use it on my seasonal layouts. [tup]
ok I am back again this time its about a crossing, I bought this and it wont lower or come up I put it together correctly and I see how it works but it wont. does anyone know how to fix it?
does anyone have an idea?
DOUG: Thanks for the “Heads-up”. I’ve used Homasote a long time but I might just take a look at the product.
Wise young man, I believe Lionel makes connecting pins that are 027 on one end and standard O Gauge (031) on the other. Your only difficulty then is going to be shimming the 027 track up to the O Gauge level. As the needed height is 1/4" it shouldn’t be too hard to do. Good luck. PRR Joe
The Lionel part number for those pins is supposedly 610-2948-016, although their web site doesn’t admit that they exist. It’s not difficult to reshape either type of track to mate with the other type of pin, however.