Project update: the Petrolia & Erie

pawlowsk002 · 2007-03-26T19:53:12+00:00

Folks:Two 2 x 4 grid sections have been completed. The2 x 4 L-girders made earlier were joined by short L-girders into agrid. After finding that the first, whichhad yellow glue and wood screws at all joints, madedistressing cracking noises when 'tested', I switchedto Liquid Nails for the small-area joints, and startedusing drywall screws at all joints, having run outof wood screws. Both units seem extremely rigidagainst bending and racking stresses; twisting isdecent but not perfect. There has to be a wayto make a light model RR frame that won't twist!Maybe I could try some 1 x 2 cross-bridging...Having put aside the question of legs, I am nowpondering my options for topping these units. Iwant a flat top, lightweight yet rigid, cheap tobuild, with all fasteners from below, and of course/quiet/. What does everybody think about:-1/4" plywood or masonite glue-laminated to 2" foam- the board holds the screws; the foam provides rigidity, and can be sculpted. Track would be laid on cork roadbed. Cost, probably .75 per square foot. I could also use just foam, at .50 per square foot, but would have to glue this, which I'm trying to avoid.-3/8" or 1/2" plywood or waferboard with1/2" Homasote glue-laminated to it. Track wouldbe directly laid on the Homasote. Not so easyto sculpt, perhaps, and a bit more expensive,at $1 per square foot, but perhaps quieter andstronger? Certainly it would hold nails better.For this section of board, since it's going tobe a flattish industrial area with a number ofspurs, I'm not going to bother with open-gridwork. If I use the Homasote-plywood methodI may well space the board out 1" or so, though.Has anybody some suggestions or favoredmethods I might try here?Cordially yours:Gerard P.President, a box of track and some grids.