Well, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m ready to lay some track on my first layout. I opted to use sheet cork for the area my yard will occupy. Since I can’t split the sheets like normal roadbed to align to lines drawn on my foam, what is the best way to mark where the tracks should be located?
The cork is pretty dark in color and I’m having a hard time seeing where I marked the cork with a black marker. I’ve thought about measuring from the edge of my benchwork and using a finishing nail at each end of the track location and using a piece of white thread tied between them as an alignment marker so I can sight down the thread to check the alignment of the track…would this work or is there an easier method I don’t know about?
If you can stand the expense, a White-Out fine nib dispenser? But your string method should suffice for an initial alignment unti you want to transfer that line permanently to the roadbed.
Put in your nails, then stretch a white thread or string between them. Or, if you can find one, get a chalk line tool and load it with white or orange chalk. One snap and you’ll have a visible centerline, without the problem of getting the thread out from under the ties.
DOH!! I own a chalk line that’s loaded with white chalk…thanks for cleaning the mud from my eyes…this is another example of why I like reading this forum so much! Another viewpoint and my problem is solved. Thanks for the suggestions. I think I’ll lay the chalk line down where the edge of the roadbed should be so I won’t lose site of it under the caulk when I’m gluing down the track.
As for my thread idea, I envisioned keeping the thread above the track…
Not sure you want to go to the expense, but there are some fairly inexpensive laser levels out there that can project a straight line on the layout for you to use for alignment. Just place it at one end and it should project a line where you want the track. This is assuming that you have a fairly good plane to project the line on. It doesn’t have to be level, just straight.
Thanks for a solution that I overlooked! I own a laser level…I could just place it on the cork, extend the pins and lock it in place and turn on the laser…problem solved! I think this will be better than the chalk line…thanks again.
Usually I use a straightedge, like a yardstick, but yesterday I had to align some track where I couldn’t hold the yardstick in place due to turnouts and scenery, so I got what I thought was a brilliant idea to use white string and nails. Worked great! And I thought it was an original idea! [:I] Never thought of using my laser level. That’s what makes this forum so great–all the great ideas. [:D]