[GBMark]

I was wondering what materials the experienced track builders out there might use to raise the base to the level of the track ?

I want to do this in localised areas only (eg, a pit straight, paddock area, borders, bases for trees and buildings) rather than the whole of the exposed base board.

I have started using 10mm thick balsa and sanding down to 8mm (Sport track thickness), sealing with PVA and then painting and applying scatter. There is just something about the balsa though that I dont like. It just looks too temporary and obviously not be very durable.

I was hoping someone might have a better option/solution to offer ?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[JohnP]

There are many alternatives although a personal favourite of mine is polystyrene ceiling tiles (obtainable from DIY stores like B&Q).

The tiles I have sit a little bit higher than the track but are easily sanded to the road height. Here the tiles have been finished off by painting brown/green followed by a scatter of static grass. The curb stones are made from cork sheet.

3mm hardboard is good for things like tree bases.

There is more information on My Webpage and the Members' Layouts in SlotForum resources are an invaluable source of inspiration.

 

[GBMark]

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply.....my Scaley borders have already had the "JohnP cool track border" makeover and I am very pleased with them. Actually, that is another reason that I am not keen on my attempts in balsa...they dont look quite right when put up against the plastic borders.....could well be me just not doing a good enough job with the balsa of course!!!!

Thanks also for the link to your website and regarding your suggestion to visit the members layouts section, I just remembered...didnt Nuro do something with rubber matting or something like that ?. I guess I should go and have a look

Mark.

 

[The Muffin Man]

You could also try this tip, using foam tape:

http://www.homeracingworld.com/trackborders.htm

 

[ddyke]

I use drywall mortar. It takes several layers.

 

[LMP]

Looking at the question differently, I read:

Is there anyway of sinking the track so the surface of the layout is level?

IMHO I think it would almost be better to have a large base for your layout, say polestyrene, then gauge the depth out with a hotwire or similar thingum. Then, you can sink the track into the base to be level.

This won't be suitable for temporary layouts, but its just a thought I had

 

[JohnP]

Good to hear I inspired you with the borders Mark!

Here are a couple of moveable tree bases made using 3mm hardboard:

I just cut out some curvy shapes in hardboard, rounded the top edge with sandpaper, glued the trees on with PVA, painted the base and flocked it with model railway scatter.

Hope this helps.

 

[uksqueezea]

The main thing is no matter what, try something. Its all fun.
You can even raise a few kerbs/curbs/rumble strips/ ripple strips.. up so the cars can bounce around on them. You'll be amazed at how much you can really pound the cars around.

 

[BEEJAY7]

UK

They are some evil looking rumble strips!...I wouldn't even like to walk over those let alone drive a car....

Great looking and very realistic, just remind me never to lend you any of my cars.....

Regards

Alan

 

[Aberstone]

At Aberstone we used cork tiles from a DIY, they can be roughed up with a rotary wire brush to make sand traps and we layered them on our rally track to make banks and walls, also they can be turned into water filled ditches with a bit of hollowing and PVA for water. Cheers - Phil B.

 

[GBMark]

Thanks for the replies so far, they are all very helpful.

Agree with Alan about those rumble strips, they look great but might be too realistic for my amateurish driving skills

I am interested in the ceiling tiles and cork tiles mentioned by JohnP and Aberstone so plan to nip down Focus this week and have a closer look. The fact that they are square will be of more help for building my Pit/Paddock area as the balsa I am using comes in (roughly) 4" strips.

Mark.