Forgive me for this. I want to say "over there" ...as if you are from the same country or area. As I was raised, it's like it's all "over there"!
Anyways, there seems to be more emphasis on track "over there" (across the water) than here in America. There's a lot more concern about track work over here in the smaller scales. The majority of users over here in the bigger gauge, don't seem to treat track work as part of the scenery.
I agree about the lack of interest in track work "over here"..but I think I know why..
its probably because in "large scale" most of us are stuck with really bulky and clunky code 332 "narrow gauge" track..even if we are running standard gauge.
yes, there are other options, Aristo and USA trains do offer "American profile" (standard gauge profile) ties, and very nice code 250 track is available, but you have to specifically know it exists and seek it out..and most people new to the hobby dont know it exists..I will use my own experience as an example.
My Dad got into Large Scale in the year 2000, we started getting him track to use to build his garden railroad..
at the time, we didnt think at all about different tie profiles or rail sizes..we just went out and got "G scale track"..
The VAST majority of track that was easily available at shops was Aristocraft "European" ("Narrow gauge") tie profile, code 332, brass..
That was, and pretty much still is, the "standard" track..regular LGB track also looks about the same..
Over the course of about 5 years we got about 500 feet of it...
My Dad has since passed away, and I now own all of that track..
Im now building my own garden railroad..guess what track im going to use!
I am modeling 1/29 scale standard gauge..eventually I would like to replace all my track with code 250 "standard gauge tie profile" track..
but thats not going to happen any time soon..
So I think for a lot of large scale modelers, they start out by "just buying track"..and if you go out to "just buy track" you are 90% likely to end up with Aristo, USA trains or LGB code 332 "narrow gauge tie" track..and by the time we realise we might want "nicer looking track",
and realize that track actually exists, its too late..and it would be super-expensive to replace all that track you already bought..so many people just don't bother.
So we end up with 90% of US garden railroads having clunky track..
its good quality very robust track! nothing wrong with it operationally..but visually, it leaves a lot to be desired, especially for 1/32 and 1/29 scale
I too have been in large scale since 1998 but could never understand the idea of digging a little trench and filling it with rock? I've been in the mass dirt moving business all of my life and we call trenches dug down and filled with stone French drains. They drain off low spots in a pleasing to the eye way instead of using culverts or concrete lined water runways. But the idea of using that idea for roadbed is beyond me as that little trench is the ideal spot for water to congregate and stay trapped. Then when it freezes you have a big ice cube under your railway!
Real railroads will have at least 3' of ballast under them from what I've seen but they have ditches on both sides draining all that rock. Modern highways are the same. The old highways were made over the old dirt roads and most are holding up fine.
As we said, the trench method is the only thing that works well in northern climates!
its not the same thing as a French drain, because it isnt buried underground..
water does not congregate and stay trapped, because water easily drains through into the ground underneath..
the lining of the trench is usually weedcloth, with allows water through..or no lining at all.
you never get a big ice cube under your railway, because the trench drains, and the trench is not *under* the railway, the trench is sitting on the surface..
The "trench roadbed" drains very well..water retention is a non-issue..
I think you are building your railroad the "best" was for our climate..
im also in Western NY, in the suburbs of Rochester..I have been a member of various large scale on-line forums for fourteen years now!
and I am only now getting around to building my own garden railroad..(I helped my Dad build his from 2000 to 2009)
Spending all that time on-line, and seeing how other garden railroads have been built around here, (I have been a member of the Rochester G-scale clube since 2000)
Paint removal
in Kitbashing & Model Making
Posted
I just googled for info on this product...
there are other model railroad forums that discuss "scalecoat rinse away"..
but the actual product seems to be called "scalecoat wash away"..
although perhaps there are both?
Bart, did you use "rinse away" or "wash away"?
Scot