Model Railroading > Removing Wooden-Tied Track with Water Soluble Ballast Adhesive?

My layout in progress has mostly hand-built turnouts and expensive kit-built crossing frogs, both with wooden ties. I haven't got around to the ballasting phase yet. After ballasting, for changes, will a water soluble adhesive like a traditional, diluted white glue mix or Woodland scenics ballast cement facilitate the removal of these painted track compontents (by soaking with water) without damaging the wooden ties or assemblies?  (I have been spiking down the ties to the sub-roadbed rather than gluing them.)

Victor Baird



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/25 08:56 by wabash2800.

In my experience while you certainly can wet the track and remove ballast and ties for repair or realignment you are going to have issues re using the ties.    The glue will soften but not dissolve(white glue for ties and ballast).   At best you will have to pic the glue slobber off the ties.    To me it is easier to just put down new ties.    My layout of today does not have wood ties except on bridges and some hand laid switches that do not fit on Central Valley switch ties.    The main line,(ATSF double track New Mexico style) is a mix of flex track(for concrete ties) and Central Valley mainline tie strip which gives you modern heavier longer ties, I then use Central Valley branch line tie strip for sidings and yards.   Oh, and Code 83 on the main and 70 for other tracks.

Richard.

About 10 years ago I dismantled my old layout due to a retirement move. I decided to try and salvage as much plastic tie track as I could. Yes, heavy wetting and letting it soak allowed me to salvage most of the track and switches. Of course I had to make sure I pulled and spikes and track nails before using a thin putty knife to lift the track. I found a long plastic container to immerse the track in to help remove any ballast. Stubborn ballast was scrubbed off with a scrub brush. Track and switches were placed on newspaper and sheets to dry. Since my new layout was smaller I didn't have to worry too much about loss. Managed to use the track material for the new layout without too many problems.
CR