The "sticky" question: "To glue or not to glue?" Video of scientific experiment...Would you? Do you?

Thanks for posting the demo.

Further thoughts and observations...

In my previous use of HO and N track, I looked at the track as cheap and disposable, so always glued the ballast.  With O gauge track, the cost of track is a significant consideration.

I've never considered cork roadbed to be reusable; always treated it as disposable.  However, the ability to remove it cleanly and easily is helpful.

What are the consequences of non-glued ballast during operation?  (Stray pieces getting stuck in gears, etc.)  Seems like it might be an issue, but I've never operated with unglued ballast, so I can't say.  (My O-gauge track is unballasted.)

Purpose of the layout?  Non-glued won't work on a portable layout.  Also, what happens if someone bumps into the layout?

Regular dusting / cleaning - Seems like it would be more difficult with unglued ballast.

Appreciated seeing the idea of using fiberboard as an alternative to Homasote - I had not considered that but will in the future.

Food for thought, but I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all answer.

No glue.  

I've advocated that for several forum postings over the past few years.

Gluing ballast...to track, roadbed, plywood, fingers, wiring, stuff stored under the table, etc....seems to be one of those entrenched paradigms of the hobby that will, most certainly, survive me, anyway.  

However, it's one of those 'TEHO's'....whatever makes you happy and at peace with your hobby/effort, ......

Gravity.....highly underrated means of keeping ballast in place.......IMHO.

I have had poor experiences  with gluing ballast. I was considering the loose ballast technique. Good video and topic.

I too glued everything down in HOand N.  I also viewed that track and cork disposable.  I already decided I would not use glue on my GarGraves track, just tack down the cork to The homasote I already have and screw the track down to the homasote only, not through to the wood.  I bought some used GarGraves that had been glued, and it was in worse shape than I expected.  Everything is held by gravity on my Christmas layout and Ceiling Central RR, and I haven't had a problem.

Another good video, John!

The point about ease of cleaning is a meaningful one, especially in any semi-finished or unfinished space. The amount of heavy dust falling onto the layout in such spaces is significant and will only grow over time without cleaning.

By not gluing ballast you remove the ability to use the good old "dust buster" from ones cleaning options. Clean track is happy track, dust attracts moisture which causes rust, dust get into grease and oil on cars and engines, and unless your layout is supposed to look like a pre-clean air and water act location with heavy industrial plants it can be a killer of what is otherwise a great layout. 

There is a skill to gluing it down, just has one had to learn to use white glue in the 1st grade, one has to practice and learn to use it here again. 

CincinnatiWestern posted:

The point about ease of cleaning is a meaningful one, especially in any semi-finished or unfinished space. The amount of heavy dust falling onto the layout in such spaces is significant and will only grow over time without cleaning.

By not gluing ballast you remove the ability to use the good old "dust buster" from ones cleaning options. Clean track is happy track, dust attracts moisture which causes rust, dust get into grease and oil on cars and engines, and unless your layout is supposed to look like a pre-clean air and water act location with heavy industrial plants it can be a killer of what is otherwise a great layout. 

There is a skill to gluing it down, just has one had to learn to use white glue in the 1st grade, one has to practice and learn to use it here again. 

Good points.

Glued the ballast on the last layout, this time the track is much more expensive, not gonna do it. If you have a basement with a ceiling and NO wood shop or clothes dryer (aka "lint producing machine") the dust should be limited enough where just wiping the rails is fine. If you like the ballast glued, then go for it.

Take into account your ballast material and particle size when deciding.

Real rock ballast has a better chance of remaining in place than walnut shell or rubber based ballasts.

Another factor might be how solid and well-braced your table top is. Train vibrations can cause migration of loose particles on poorly braced table tops. Google "Chladni figures" to see what I mean!  

Jim

I agree with the comments about dust cleanup in a basement with unfinished ceiling.  I have experienced that.  Fortunately for me, my space is a "clean" finished room.