How-To: Terrific Trackwork

[@jimsmoter4510]

I solder my track feeders to the bottom of the rails which for me looks and seems much easier. But whatever works for each individual. Great update.

[@EL-nc1cs]

A lot of great tips and ideas being shared. To add to the suggestion box, before the track gets glued down, I first coat the top of all the rails with a very light bead of chap-stick, second spray all the track and ties with rattle can Rust-Oleum Camouflage Earth Brown, That pre-weathers the track and the chap stick makes clean up of the rail tops a snap. Third, once you got the track glued down, save yourself a lot of time and headaches gluing ballast down with an eye dropper LOL and try mixing your dry ballast with a dry powder adhesive like Ballast Magic. Get it on ebay. Spread your ballast and just spray on water and it bonds excellent dries in an hour or two to a matt finish. Forth, follow up by final track weathering.

[@MFRailroad]

Wow. Great tips!

[@darthbridges1077]

Another great informative video Matt! Really helps us rookies at the hobby. Take care and keep up the awesome work.

[@vnthomas16]

Great video! Even though my track work is done, I enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Great video , good tips

[@joecarleo6899]

Pro safety tip: When you solder, place a small fan nearby using a speed that moves fumes away from you and open a window if you soldering many joints. Your brain will thank you for not getting lead into your system.

[@derekalexander4030]

Great video on track laying. Could have done without the dentist visit with the dremel on the frog but still a great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Virginiamidlandrr]

Great video as always Matt! Good looking shirts too, the Lego space one and the MFR one!

[@johnstrickland956]

Just curious about something. You said you are using silicone caulking. Do you have problems with paint and ballast not sticking? In my experience as a painter and carpenter, silicone works great for holding power but latex paint will not stick. If you use acrylic caulking then all your water based stuff will adhere to it like a champ. I have also used acrylic caulking for track laying with great results. Otherwise a great video.

[@MFRailroad]

Good thoughts, This is a first for me so I can't give you answers there. I used to use white glue but wanted to try something different. I'll let you know how it goes. I chose this caulk based on recommendations from others.

[@albertgoldreich9582]

Great advice.

[@larryschmitt2513]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@Kay_jay_999]

Can you do a video of how to wire & isolate the switch???

[@schadowolf]

Great videos, glad I found your channel, subbed. Question for you as you have been doing this for awhile. I saw a YT video on another channel where individual soldered the leads to the undersides of the track joiners. Seems like a nice approach and not risking rails/track damage. Thoughts?

[@MFRailroad]

In my opinion, it is a lot of work to ensure that the feeders get into the hole and lined up well with trackwork in such a way that nothing is bent or broken or awkwardly arranged. I would rather get the trackwork perfect, then run the feeders knowing that the connection I make to the track can be visually inspected and determined to be strong. I know I go against this a bit with how I did the frog wiring, but that is less important and easier to diagnose if something goes wrong there.

[@FredE528]

Very helpful. 👍👍 I’m the poster child for bad track work. Maybe I’ll get it right on my third layout! 😀

[@mcurry1784]

But we all love to hear Fred's airhorn frowns !!!😡😡😡😡😡

[@FredE528]

Yes. Funny on video but frustrating at the time. 😀

[@trainsandplanes5538]

Matt, where did you get that flat cork for the spur in the video? Thanks

[@MFRailroad]

Micheals arts and crafts store. A little expensive at around 30-ish bucks a roll, but you can cover a pretty good sized area with it.

[@johnfloyd838]

Do I have to use solder?

[@MFRailroad]

Indeed you do.

[@AbelG8781]

Absolutely no other way around it

[@TheNorthwestWind]

you are a great daddy

[@BigDaddy-ms7gm]

The music sucks otherwise, great video.

[@MFRailroad]

Well, I tried something different. Can't win 'em all!

[@AbelG8781]

I thought some Metallica would've been better but this was okay.