Granted this question may have been posted before and I did search the archives, but may have missed any responses. Apologies from a "noob" if so. Currently working on my layout of which I am not quite ready to post pics of yet. Hoping to post some "in-work" pics soon, but want to get more of the table and leg work done. Using sanded plywood as the base. Granted a bit more costly, but I know my base is mostly free of issues. Using MTL roadbed track. Probably should have went with flex, buttttt in the early days of my Z-scale enthusiasm, bought a fair share of MTL roadbed supplies and really like the prototypical tie spacing. Plus like the built in roadbed for various reasons. On that note and doing a look ahead on my to-do list, these questions came up: A) Does anyone recommend an "underlayment" of sorts under the roadbed track when laying directly on plywood, in order to ensure no transfer of sound to the base? Granted, the built in roadbed assumes the place of cork, but I am thinking of .015-.025 or so type of material. Or would that be overkill??? B) I am a fan of pinning track versus gluing. Anyone want to insert their opinions, experiences, issues? C) Planing to use various thicknesses of insulation in some areas for elevation, mountains, hills etc. Pinning track on this material may be a waste of time, or no ??? I assume gluing is the prime method everyone is using on insulation, but I could be wrong. Thanks in advance!
I have 5 times a fair share of MTL roadbed track, as well as Marklin, Peco, and Rokuhan, but I am using Atlas flex on cut in half strips of Midwest cork roadbed. I'll unload all my other track someday, but I really like the Atlas track best.
I’ve used the MT roadbed track and what I’ve done is just pin it in place with nails. After I think I like my design I ballast edges first. Then pull out pins. Then I add a little more ballast and paint to weather. I’ve had no noise issues.
Quick tip. I would make sure you use full strength glue for turn out edges...brush then sprinkle ballast by hand right where you want it. If you mist spray and dribble it will seep into the mechanics and gunk it up. So I don’t spray and mist the ballast in that case. Everywhere else no problem.
Very wise advice. I model in N scale but the samething applies in Z. I always put a little masking tape over the points, throwbar and mechanism hole of turnouts. It doesn't need to be pressed down hard. It's just to catch any drips or stray pieces of ballast that always seem to drop when least expected. Much easier to take up pieces of masking tape then to pick out dried glue and ballast from turnouts.
If you are pinning the track and your plywood is relatively thin, make sure that you nip off the points of the pins (wear goggles when doing this) protruding through the ply. Otherwise, one day, you are bound to pull a cable through the baseboard without looking and end up cutting your hand on those pins.
Well noted, and I am using 1/2" sanded plywood, so I should be in good shape. I'm leaning towards pinning on all wood surfaces, and gluing on insulation, etc.
