Laying track

[Derekm]

Hi looking for advice Please new to this.
I have laid track with cork under track only and have used PECO pins but not push in completely. I want to eventually ballast track after doing points motors and all electrics. My question is do I leave pins in after ballasting or remove, I have heard that they make it more noisy. Also what Is the advantage or disadvantage of covering whole baseboard in cork I read that some do to cut down noise etc. I have a small layout 4 x 2.5 ft , thanks in advance for any comments.

[emjaybee]

Any sound reduction advantage of laying cork is subsequently negated by then ballasting.

The cork on its own absorbs vibration (sound waves), and then you ballast which sets hard and subsequently helps to transmit the vibration.

[ntpntpntp]

You'll get different opinions :-)   There are several threads on here discussing different approaches.

For me the cork is there to raise the track a little so that I get a nice looking shoulder to the ballast.  I'm not using cork for any sound deadening.


Personally I glue my track to the cork before ballasting, I don't use pins at all. I don't like the look of the pins if left in,
and even if removed the holes in the sleepers would still remain.  Whilst I don't find that ballasting on top of cork significantly adds to the noise levels, running pins through the track to the underlying baseboard certainly does 




I really don't like to see the entire baseboard covered in cork, it's just making everything very flat and train-set like. A complete waste of cork *in my opinion*.  In the real world things are rarely totally flat, so even if you don't go for an open-frame baseboard construction (which would allow scenery below the trackwork as well as above) it's still better to undulate the ground surface a little.

[Derekm]

Thanks as I seen all different opinions. I appreciate your advice and will certainly remove pins and may take your advice and glue tract to cork first, what glue would you use for that ?

[ntpntpntp]

@Derekm  I use use a thin layer of neat PVA, and hold the track down with map pins and heavy weights until dry.   I accept the track is going down pretty much permanently.  If really necessary it can be removed even after ballasting, by soaking and sliding a steel rule underneath, but not usually for the purposes of re-use.

Some folk use Copydex which will give you a bit more of a chance to lift the track and re-use if you think you might change your mind.

[KevTheBusDriver]

Hi looking for advice Please new to this.
I have laid track with cork under track only and have used PECO pins but not push in completely. I want to eventually ballast track after doing points motors and all electrics. My question is do I leave pins in after ballasting or remove, I have heard that they make it more noisy. Also what Is the advantage or disadvantage of covering whole baseboard in cork I read that some do to cut down noise etc. I have a small layout 4 x 2.5 ft , thanks in advance for any comments.

Hi - I suggest that once ballasted, you remove the track pins - but wait DAYS for the ballast to thoroughly dry. Last week I ballasted some track that was pinned down in 1980 - the 50+ pins were very awkward to remove... Happy Track laying!

[Bealman]

I wouldn't cover the whole baseboard in cork. I'm a fan of a ballast shoulder, and by only having cork under the track, this gives a nice ballast shoulder.

Bit of a waste of money covering the whole board, as it's going to be covered by scenery anyway!