I am thinking of using some Metcalfe paving on my layout.  My question is this.  If you use the Gwent Rail system of road laying, will the thinned pva glue used to damp and set the fine ballast creating the road surface soak into the card of the paving and will this cause it to warp? If yes does anyone have a solution that they have tried successfully?

Given the effect it had on my cardboard slope, I thought I had better check before proceeding.

Thanks.

Novice

ANSWER :D

Yes Novice the PVA especially if the metcalfe is made of cardboard as the glue would need to be thinned down to be absorbed into the ballast which in turn would be puffed up into a cork tile :P But i guess that would also depend on how thick/hard is the cardboard road too :wink: …….. :?: :?:  :?:  why not make pavement out of 3mm MDF hardboard :?:
 I had a Faller road system last layout looked great too, already made up roads :P mmm….mmmm…..they did look good didn't they

Darryl

Novice, as I posted the thread about the road surface, I'd better answer it :!:

I have Metcalfe paving on my layout, I find it is not sticky enough and doesn't hold firm enough for me, so I stick it down with PVA :!:  … No problems with lifting yet :!:
I also have made roadways, as described in my post, which go right up to the paving. In most cases I have laid the road, then the paving and I would always do that where possible.
However, there is one piece where I did the paving first, then added the road.
I had no problems and concluded that when the paving (stuck down with PVA) had dried, it had formed a waterproof seal that stopped too much moisture from penetrating into the paving and causing trouble.

So I would not worry too much, especially if you do the road first :!:

Jeff thanks for your answer.  I will give it a go then.  I thought I might have to seal it with clear varnish or something similar, but I guess if I use neat pva to stick it down and leave it to fully harden it should be ok.

Thanks again

Novice

Jeff
Was your PVA waterproof or not ?

Petermac

Petermac said

Jeff
Was your PVA waterproof or not ?

Petermac

Just Evo-stick Resin W Petermac.
It's claimed to be a surface sealant, but not suitable for continuous water immersion.
It's more expensive than many brands, but I've found it to be one of the best. As a little goes a long way, I consider it money well spent.

That's what I hoped you'd say Jeff.

The waterproof PVA doesn't have the same "grab" and seems to take much longer to dry.  By saying "waterproof" - actually, it's not !!!  It can stand SOME damp conditions but - for the garden railway guys - it must be painted to make it properly waterproof.

Petermac