chris Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I"ve been thinking about using this stuff on my railway. http://www.polycell.co.uk/products/polycell_expanding_foam_polyfilla.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I'm thinking mainly for embankments and cuttings. Although it's not beyond the realms... to use it to make a smooth top surface to lay tracks on. Any thoughts on pro's and con's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traingeekboy Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I've seen many articles in model railroader about making large desert rock formations with it. It's easy to cut to shape and you can use dry wall tools to form it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riddles Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 It is very useful stuff but I've found that it doesn't always go where you think you are squirting it, and when it starts expanding the direction it takes is unpredictable. Note that it should be painted if used outdoors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Definitely worth looking at. I've been using a black type designed for pond and waterfall use and assume that the type you refer to has similar qualities. It is easy to use when filling voids but as Riddles points out, when in open space it goes where it wants to go. It's also imperative to use gloves (at least it is for the type I've been using as it sticks to everything). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Very useful stuff Chris and as previously mentioned it's very very sticky! Also as previously mentioned it does need protecting from sunlight, masonry paint would be ok for this. Shopping around will pay off. Stores like Wilkinson, Poundstretcher, Yorkshire Trading, B & M are good places to try as are car boots and markets. Ian. PS I think the idea of laying tracks on it is a no no! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleanerg6e Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I've used the expanding foam in house renovations. It's nasty stuff and I'd think nigh on impossible to shape to a smooth surface to lay model railway tracks on. For track work foundations I think only plywood, rubbercrete and thermalite blocks are really the only foundations applicable to our use outside. After all you need a material that the track pins (what ever they're made of) can grip to hold the track in place. Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungus Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 It's useful stuff. I've used it for landscaping around viaduct ends and tunnel mouths, and as a filler for a removable plywood viaduct. It's also a filler for a removable tunnel core, sliding in between two rows of building blocks with the top half of the tunnel bore at its base, portals each end, handles on top, and covered with two removable paving slabs sitting on the blocks. It's on the only path to the compost heaps so takes quite a lot of heavy traffic. The only problem I've found is that he wildlife occasionally try eating it. I also have it painted brown, and several small children have asked "Ian, is that poo?" I'd be surprised if it works as a trackbed, but might be usable as a filler below a plywood trackbed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 fungus said: It's useful stuff. I've used it for landscaping around viaduct ends and tunnel mouths. Landscaping around viaduct ends was what I was thinking of. I'll see how I get on using traditional methods (plywood and roofing felt) and my give the filler a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now