Host James McNab explores methods for handlaying track on his portable HO scale Hills Line module, including spiking, using adhesive and pinning. He shares his experiences and challenges with each method, with the aim of helping viewers find the best approach for their own projects. This episode is a practical guide for model railroaders, offering insights into the art of tracklaying. James also covers the essential prep work involved, such as cleaning tie plates and ensuring proper ballast clearance. In addition, he demonstrates how to weather ties individually, adding a touch of realism to the tracks!
Click HERE to find the entire Hills Line series!
The secret to using contact cement such as Barge, Pliobond, Walther’s Goo, or any other contact cement is to coat the bottoms of the rails in a well ventilated space and letting them dry. Place the rails, then heat heat them with a soldering iron to reactivate the glue. It doesn’t take a whole lot of heat, so I think you could do it without melting the plastic ties. I use wooden ties so I could be wrong about the practicality on plastic ties. I also use this method only on short sections such as turntables and bridges.
I’m a little late to the party, but having hand laid track for many years, the secret to using micro-spikes is sharpening them. From the factory, they are blunt on the ends and don’t work worth a hoot. I put a rotary tool with a cutoff disk running on its slowest speed near where I am spiking. It take very little additional time after placing the spike in the spiking pliers to put a point on the spike by touching it to the side of the cutoff disk. Eye protection is advised. You will still goober up some spikes, but the difference is like night and day. Be careful not to grind the pliers. Disclaimer – I spike to wood ties, not plastic.
I have been using the CV tie strips and turnout kits quite happily. However, the turnout throw bar attachment to the points is definitely the weak point of the system. How are you attaching the points to the printed circuit board throw bar?
Just soldering them directly to each other. Again, this is a non-operating display module geared towards appearance more than operation.
James, I wish Central Valley had made On30 Tie Strips! Your track looks wonderful!
Thanks Mark!