Hornby Dublo 3 Rail

[Rog (RJ)]

Sundeala is a matter of great contention. Some say it's the best thing since sliced bread, others hate it. I don't use it myself, preferring to lay track directly on to plywood.

[Range Rider]

Brill! Have now sussed buffers…..

[Brian]

<SNIP>
After advice on Baseboard please, is Sundeala K the best?

IMO No! Its far too soft. The edges will damage easily and its very prone to sagging if not braced extremely well underneath. Best is to look for quality Plywood. 9mm or 12mm thick are the normal ones used, 6mm can be used but needs extra bracing underneath.
My last layout I experimented and used 11mm thick OSB (As used for shuttering up). OSB is sold by many DIY outlets and mine was a Wickes purchase in 8 x 4 foot (2400 x 1200mm) sheet. They also sell 9mm thick OSB Sheets too. https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-General ... m/p/102972 I have found it to be very stable and flat. Down side is its a little harder to drive track pins into but a pilot hole works wonders, as it would with Plywood too.

[Range Rider]

If a Loco 3 rail sparks a lot, what does that mean? Is it dirty track?

[yelrow]

Tim, could be a bit of both. Clean track with back of old piece of hardboard. Could also be commutater, ( or similar) which can be cleaned with cotton buds. there are 2 spring loaded carbon brushes, which just touch it, as it spins. Sparks occur here, when dirty. Finally, could be the pick ups, which again can be cleaned. If set has been out of use for some time, track is the most likely suspect. Running locos, will clean it, to an extent. I clean my track, before every use, simply cos the 10 mins it takes, is peace of mind.

[Mountain Goat]

Just a safety precaution. The old Hornby Dublo train controllers may need an electrician to check they are safe to use due to their age and the probability that the old mains rubber coated wires may start to break down... So is a good idea to have them checked out and rebuilt if neccessary with a new wire etc. I have a few myself that need to be worked on to make safe. (I love the things but have not used them for ages and now due to their age I need to have them sorted before use (I have other more modern controllers as well... Controllers need to be powerful for HD 3-rail engines so one needs a good amp or an amp and a half I should think. Many modellers used old H&M controllers which may also need checking. Nice old controllers though.

Hornby Dublo 3-rail is lovely and fun! Very robust ad long lasting. The only real issues the locos tend to have with age is weak magnets but there are small businesses who will re-magnetize them so is not an issue. Other than that it is to clean the track and wheels as suggested above. (Noticed two types of genuine HD 3-rail track. Nickel silver with older track which looks slightly yellow, and later track was steel. NS track is preferred so I assume steel was used due to shortages? Steel track is fine as the locos have such great current collecting properties that the usual arguaments for needing nickel silver rails do not seem to make a huge difference, as once track etc is cleaned, rarely do they have issues.

Baseboard surface. Ply is the good one to use. In the past I have used chipboard with success though I used an inch thick chipboard. My Dad was a carpenter so insisted on making the framework, and a lovely job he did too! Only real downside apart from weight to using chipboard is the corners can break off. My last big layout had no corners so it was not an issue.
I have made use of MDF BUT it needs to be worked on in an outdoor enviroment due to the fine dust from cutting it being somewhat like aspestos. All carpenters know to be careful with MDF. Also is a bit brittle if damp so can warp.
So all in all, plywood is probably the best to go for. The only downside is that it tends to be noisy when trains run on it. Not too bad though! One can always put down a thin layer of something to deaden the sound on top before one lays the track if one is concerned.
(I have never used syndela as though I tried to get some in my youth, it was not available locally and my Dad did not even know where to get it or what it was.... It may have only been available in certain parts of the country. Syndela is a brand name rather than a wood as if it was a wood my Dad would have known about it. Is far too flimsy from what I heard.

[Range Rider]

Many thanks Yelrow & Mountain Goat for some sage advice…

Sundeala K (Brand name) is a 9mm Pinboard used for notice boards…. a heavier density Insulation board.

Am currently using it for temporary setup & works well.

[Walkingthedog]

In that case it will definitely be unsuitable for a layout. You need something flat, strong and smooth, able to take screws, nails and glue.

[Range Rider]

Are you suggesting plywood? Am told it can be noisy & can move… maybe OSB is more stable?

[Walkingthedog]

Ply is better than OSB, far more stable in my view. Also OSB is a hard product like ply no will not be quieter. I have always used ply and it hasn’t moved a mm/inch. The best way to cut down on noise is to fill the space under the layout.