If you are wanting to know the beginning steps in using Woodland Scenics' Smooth It on your model train layout, please go check out my first post with the same title. Once the pavement was dry I sanded down the excess Smooth It to expose just the tops of the rails. This was easy to do with 200 fine grit sand paper. The carton of Smooth It recommends 250 or higher, but 200 works just fine. The next step was to create a space for the rail wheels to go through.
I originally used the back of a #11 exacto hobby knife blade to begin cutting away some of the pavement. This however was too thin for the wheels to pass through, causing the test cars to jump off the tracks. I was unsure what to use to make a wider gap. Looking around, I found a very small flat head screw driver and began passing through the lines I had created with the knife. Be sure to make soft easy scores at first because it reduces chipping on the pavement. (If you do chip some off DON'T WORRY. I doubt you have ever driven down a perfectly paved old road. Pot holes, dips, and divets add to the realism of your layout!) I had to make a couple of passes to get the spacing just right for the wheels to pass through.
After testing each set of track with a car and seeing them pass through with ease, they were all set for a cleaning before trying to run a train across them.
I would suggest using 70-90% alcohol and a rag/paper towel to wipe them down. This will also remove any glue that was left behind from the paving tape. Make sure to keep these sections of track clean because sanding the rails can cause very tiny grooves in the rail where dust and grime can collect. Keeping the track clean will prevent your train from hitting a spot of dirty track. Once that is all done you are ready to roll! Thank you for reading, guys. I hope this helps you in creating your new wonderful model train layout or touching up your tried and true older train layout. Please subscribe down below by just entering your email, and I will be sure to notify you with future posts to help you with your model trains!
Comments