Top tips for track beds
- Thread starter Nordmij
- Start date
I use 1-3 mm grit in 25 kg bags.
In order to enable the glue to stick better, I wash the grit in a tub 3-4 times until the water is somewhat clear. The wet grit is swept under the track with a brush and then shaped.
It is important that the gravel also surrounds the outside of the sleepers in order to absorb sideways movements.
Then I glue the wet gravel with “Knauf Kleber- und Bodenelast” between the sleepers and along the outside of the track.
When everything is glued, I spray a fine mist of water over the track to clean the sleepers.
The whole thing has to dry for about 3 days - if necessary, cover the track bed so the rain doesn't dissolve the glue.
This is the result:
In order to enable the glue to stick better, I wash the grit in a tub 3-4 times until the water is somewhat clear. The wet grit is swept under the track with a brush and then shaped.
It is important that the gravel also surrounds the outside of the sleepers in order to absorb sideways movements.
Then I glue the wet gravel with “Knauf Kleber- und Bodenelast” between the sleepers and along the outside of the track.
When everything is glued, I spray a fine mist of water over the track to clean the sleepers.
The whole thing has to dry for about 3 days - if necessary, cover the track bed so the rain doesn't dissolve the glue.
This is the result:
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For raised track beds you could use double sided tape.
For "imbedded" or cradled track beds i am going to use a different method:
Some dpc foil on the dirt, 5 cm/2 inch layer of sand.
On the sand i place my tracks, then i am going to sprinkle the gravel to cover up.
Why the foil?
In the summer the ground will be dry and will crack open, your gravel wil dissapear.
Sand is used to water of rain.
For gravel i am intended to use "sharp" gravel that will interlock.
Hope this will give you some food for thoughts.
with best regard Igor
For "imbedded" or cradled track beds i am going to use a different method:
Some dpc foil on the dirt, 5 cm/2 inch layer of sand.
On the sand i place my tracks, then i am going to sprinkle the gravel to cover up.
Why the foil?
In the summer the ground will be dry and will crack open, your gravel wil dissapear.
Sand is used to water of rain.
For gravel i am intended to use "sharp" gravel that will interlock.
Hope this will give you some food for thoughts.
with best regard Igor
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My pal in Somerset has had issues with SBR of late with the bond breaking down, I wonder on reflection if he managed to get an internal rather than external quality? Any clues?
I thought SBR was SBR, unlike plaster, for example, there is only one grade, though many manufacturers, which could account for differences.
Was it 'fresh' (or rather recently) applied?
Depending on the weather, it can take some time to dry/set/cure..
If the substrate moves a lot, it can break the bond between ballast and whatever it is sitting on, but tends to hold to the sleepers.
YMMV, of course..
PhilP
Well some quite old application, but and possibly the reason he lays 25mm Celtex as a track bed on top of concrete and wooden boards. This could perhaps be the problem with rumbling trains causing micro vibration.
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In the USA I had a friend use Elmers glue with the gravel as it will soften in the rain, but keep the gravel in place. Worked for him for many years til he moved the RR due to moving to another home.