Laying track over concrete paving slabs.

G

grandad pete

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Hi.
As a complete novice I need some advice from you experts out there please.
I have prepared an area for the 'station' on my grandsons Thomas Tank based garden railway, its raised paving slabs 2 ft wide by 18 ft long on a single course of concrete blocks.

I will soon start to lay track in this area, but how best to fasten it down?

The idea of drilling hundreds of holes for rawlplugs and using screws seem such a chore, is there any experience with adhesives ? Should I paint the surface with masonary paint first to give the advesive a key ?

Where I have used wooden supports (deck boards) I have covered in roof felt and used brass screws, seems to have worked well and looks ok even before balest.

Regards Grandad Pete
 
Hi pete , i have layed track on paving slabs and stuck it down with blobs ( or 50 mm strips) of silicon just push the track into place leave over night to dry - great to do it at the moment, as it grips better if wet - hope this helps regards Dave -- pm me if i can help any more
 
Believe me, drilling holes, rawlplugging them and screwing it down is a chore. I used this method in my station area, in total I drilled and plugged 150 holes. I used the yellow plugs and bought a decent drill bit for the job, took the best part of a day to do, but...it was worth it. The track is well fastened and is removable when required with little damage.
The silicon method sounds good though, and no damage will occur to the track as nothing really 'sticks' to the plastic used for the sleepers.
 
If you do decide to use rawlplugs then make sure you buy a really decent masonry dill. I blunted two putting mine in.

Rik
 
You could use the paving joints to screw through to a piece of wood or plastic (piece of uPVC board) underneath.
 
How secure is your site? I've screwed down with stainless steel "security" screws from Screwfix. Anybody who helps themselves will have had to go out of their way.
 
I have done both, and i don't reckon silicon is really the solution. Get a drill and an electric screw driver and go for it,you will be surprised how bad it isn't... especially if you drill in batches etc...
 
get some ear defenders too. That hammer action gives the ear drums bit of a hammering.
 
Just be sure to place the pavers on screenings, otherwise known in varying parts as grit, chicken grit, stone chips, whatever. Works well as a leveling base and won't wash away as it knits together.
 
External Grade PVA works very well, wet it down with about 50/50 water and a drip of washing up liquid. Drop on from a small pointed dispencer. If you ballast at the same time you will get a good solid fix for your track. Dont be too impatient re drying, it can take a day or two in cooler weather. Oh and cover up with plastic sheet if it looks like it is going to rain. Plus make sure that you do not dribble any on the Railhead or too close to Moving Point Mechanisms.

Another option that I have tried out recently is to mix Ballast with Wicks Posting Concrete, just lay it on dry and spray with a Kitchen or Garden water spray. Goes off in around 10 minutes. Also has the benefit of making the ballast a nice dark grey.

JonD
 
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