Track laying/wiring questions

To answer your questions:

 

1. Don't use any roadbed. GarGraves and Atlas O ties are twice as high as they should be anyway. Cover your entire land area with ceiling tiles if you don't wish to use Homasote. Ballasting the track without any roadbed puts it at a realistic height.

 

2 The snap locks are not necessary. I use a sheet rock screw between ties here and there to temporarily hold the track until it's ballasted. The glue that holds the ballast will also hold the track.

 

3. Shorting out the feed wires is not an issue--just let the ballast dry before running your trains. Who runs trains over wet ballast, anyway?

 

4. TMCC requires no special wiring. Simply add power drops every 6 to 10 feet or so while you are laying your track. Add drops on each leg of any turnouts and you'll be good to go!

 

Dennis Brennan

Thanks, Dennis.  I was actually going to dig out your series in CTT as a reference.  I like the ceiling tile idea.  

 

Brian

Hi Brian,

 

Do you have my book,  Realistic Modeling for Toy Trains: A Hi-Rail Guide? If you liked the series, you'll love the book. I had a lot of material that couldn't be covered in 4 issues. 100 pages and photos galore!

 

Dennis Brennan

Brennan's Model Railroading

816-252-4605

Great book! Packed with info and tips. Often I ask questions and Dennis reminds me that it is in his book. Now I check before I ask!!!

Dennis' book is a great resource. I refer to it often to get ideas.

 

Mike