Ready to install a couple of turnouts in my main yard. Need to remove ballast (water based glue) and about 42 inches of track. Looking for any suggestions on how to minimize impact to other track & ballast.
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What track system are you using ?
Atlas
You didn't mention what track you are using. If it's Gargraves. Cut the track in 2 spots towards the ends of the track you are removing with a Drexel. Neatness or squareness doesn't matter. I would mist on some warm water and let it soak in. Try getting a putty knife under the. track you have between the 2 cuts and slowly work it up from the roadbed. With Gargraves I've found that the track and ballast comes up easy. You will be left with just 2 short pieces of track at the points you don't want to disturb. Rather than prying these up. Try pulling each rail straight out and then just deal with the ties.
Soak ballast with warm water and it will loosen up that dried glue.
Warm water and a drop or two of liquid Tide. Not too much!
I know the thoughts of pulling up ballasted track seems like a nightmare but it winds up not being so bad.The ballast will loosen right up with these methods you can vac it up quickly.Before you know it you are re installing your new track.Good luck.Nick
Elmers glue will also release with 91% isopropyl. Regardless of what you soak it in, use a putty knife or something to get under the track, as it'll also be glued down by your ballast glue mix.
Consider the old ballast collateral damage, when you go to re-ballast, feather the edges of your new ballast work to blend it back in. No matter what you do it wont match exactly, which makes it look more like a real repair anyways.
