railroads running in cement

railBuilderdhd · 12-15-2007, 10:55 PM

I wanted to know if anyone has a way to model rails that are laid in cement. I want to model a rail at the docks and wanted to know how I can model the rails that run in the docks that are made of cement or blacktop.
Thanks,
dhd

Jim Krause · 12-16-2007, 02:12 AM

Have you looked at the January 2008 Model Railroader magazine? There is a suppliment inside about modeling streets and roads that has some info that you can use.

**sumpter250** · 12-16-2007, 10:04 PM

One technique is to make your "concrete" out of sheet styrene, just a tiny bit thinner than the rail is tall, and cut it to fit outside, and between the rails.

only15 · 12-18-2007, 10:16 PM

or you could use plaster or hydrocal!!
just make sure you put the gaps etc to clear the wheels

Glen Haasdyk · 12-25-2007, 10:13 AM

I used hydrocal to simulate the concrete floor in my enginehouse. I did a thin pour so that just the tops of the ties were covered and then used an nmra guage to make sure the flangeways were cleaned out.

nachoman · 12-25-2007, 10:19 AM

I've used the plaster method before. It takes a little patience, but looks good. Spread the plaster even with the tops of the rails using the widest putty knife that you can. Completely cover the track - both inside and outside the rails. Don't wory about keeping the flangeways clear. After the plaster has set up, you can carve out the flangeways later using a tool made from a sharpened nail. This is the basic method that was described in a model railroader project layout back in the early 90s. The port of los angeles layout, I think.

Kevin

TCH · 12-25-2007, 05:16 PM

whatever you use make sure you leave it lower than the rails
makes it much easier to clean the track without taking off any paint etc

Dansco · 01-31-2008, 02:57 PM

I was wondering about that..cleaning the rails that are laid in plaster...
I wonder if buying one of those chepo plastic drywall taping knives and cutting some shallow notches (like a rail gauge) might be a good idea...

I think though, that I might just used properly colored plaster and not worry about cleaning removing paint...

Dansco · 01-31-2008, 02:58 PM

any tips on keeping switches working in the thin pour method?

12-15-2007, 10:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
railBuilderdhd Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 139	railroads running in cement I wanted to know if anyone has a way to model rails that are laid in cement. I want to model a rail at the docks and wanted to know how I can model the rails that run in the docks that are made of cement or blacktop. Thanks, dhd

12-16-2007, 10:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
sumpter250 multiscale modelbuilder The Gauge Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vernon Hills, Illinois Posts: 4,176	One technique is to make your "concrete" out of sheet styrene, just a tiny bit thinner than the rail is tall, and cut it to fit outside, and between the rails. __________________ We learn far more from our mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's "advice". http://www.lcmrr.org http://www.gclaser.com

12-25-2007, 10:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
Glen Haasdyk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,311	I used hydrocal to simulate the concrete floor in my enginehouse. I did a thin pour so that just the tops of the ties were covered and then used an nmra guage to make sure the flangeways were cleaned out. __________________ Glen Haasdyk

12-25-2007, 05:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
TCH Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: rosebud,victoria,australia Posts: 94	whatever you use make sure you leave it lower than the rails makes it much easier to clean the track without taking off any paint etc __________________ trevor of all the things I`ve lost I miss my mind the most

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-16-2007, 02:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jim Krause Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Polson, MT Posts: 1,358	Have you looked at the January 2008 Model Railroader magazine? There is a suppliment inside about modeling streets and roads that has some info that you can use.

12-18-2007, 10:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
only15 PRO:Pain In The Behind Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tasmania,Australia Posts: 17	or you could use plaster or hydrocal!! just make sure you put the gaps etc to clear the wheels

12-25-2007, 10:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
nachoman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,564	I've used the plaster method before. It takes a little patience, but looks good. Spread the plaster even with the tops of the rails using the widest putty knife that you can. Completely cover the track - both inside and outside the rails. Don't wory about keeping the flangeways clear. After the plaster has set up, you can carve out the flangeways later using a tool made from a sharpened nail. This is the basic method that was described in a model railroader project layout back in the early 90s. The port of los angeles layout, I think. Kevin

01-31-2008, 02:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dansco Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 96	I was wondering about that..cleaning the rails that are laid in plaster... I wonder if buying one of those chepo plastic drywall taping knives and cutting some shallow notches (like a rail gauge) might be a good idea... I think though, that I might just used properly colored plaster and not worry about cleaning removing paint...

01-31-2008, 02:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dansco Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 96	any tips on keeping switches working in the thin pour method?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How do I lay track into cement?	TN_Trainman	Technical Q & A	3	09-30-2007 08:25 PM
Spotting the Cement	TomPM	Photography, Books, Video, Scenery	5	09-25-2006 10:12 AM
Hauling The Cement	TomPM	Photography, Books, Video, Scenery	9	02-07-2006 12:13 AM
WS Scenic Cement	rockislandmike	Technical Q & A	7	02-11-2003 05:56 AM
St. Lawrence Cement	WM-N-fan	N / Z Scale Model Trains	11	02-27-2002 09:16 AM