I I was standing at the new yard section this morning while having my morning coffee contemplating the use of California Roadbed Company’s aka (Homabed) branch line/siding roadbed which is .125" or 1/8" thick which would make transitioning to the Homasote yard flat a mush easier task then using the conventional .025 or1/4" thick mainline roadbed which I am currently using. Well it must have been the caffeine jolt but I recalled I had a box of AMI instant roadbed some where in the work shop. Low and behold it was right where I thought it was an unusual first I might add. So just for ha ha’s I cut off a 6" piece removed the backing and stuck it to a scrap piece of Masonite and stuck a 6" piece of Atlas sectional track to it and formed the ballast shoulders with my fingers and sprinkled down some Highball limestone ballast and to be honest it doesn’t look half bad. So I was wondering and I am aware that they are no longer in business and the stuff is rare as hen’s teeth but for those who have used it in the past what are your thoughts on old AMI instant roadbed pro and con and what do you think may be a viable substitute for it.
I can’t put my finger on it but I’ve seen this stuff used some where else before, maybe some sort of insulation or weather sealant perhaps, guess that would require a second cup of the wife’s coffee to jog my memory.
I used it initally on my layout but am replacing it now with cork. AMI has pluses and minuses. It is very easy to work with and sticks down very good at first but I found after it was down awhile it started to come up on the edges. You dont ever want to drill thru it with an electric drill. All that sticky mass sticks to the bit and makes a real mess. I ruined a bit with it. I found that out when I drilled holes for feeder wires. On the plus side, it is more quiet than cork and it does come up pretty easy if you have to rip up track for some reason. Not sure how ballast sticks to it since Im not to that point yet. I have replaced most of it either with cork or taken it out completely in my two switch yards.
I found that AMI roadbed is about the same as automotive AC insulation tape, it has the same diminsions and comes in the same length rolls…coincidence?
For those of you looking for another source for AMI style roadbed, look to your local building supply company. They sell this material in larger rolls for use along the edges of roofs under the shingles to prevent Water and Ice from working its way under your shingles. The last time I purchased it I think I paid about $50.00 for a roll 3ft x 25ft . I just cut strips from the end as needed.
Also for those of you who like to add weight to your cars, No need to spend big bucks for little bags of sectional weights - Go to your local auto parts store and purchase Self adhesive aluminum wheel weights.
For what you would normally pay for a few small strips you can buy a whole 5lbs box of them.
Be aware that this material is self-healing around penetrations (that’s why it is used as an ice and water dam under shingles). So, although I haven’t tried drilling it, I expect it, also, might gum-up your drill bits. The material I have seen and used (for roofs) is rather thin for roadbed except possibly for N or smaller. And it is adhesive-coated on one side.
Friend of mine used it on his layout. Much of it is coming unglued, mostly the track coming loose from the roadbed. After checking out how I do things with latex caulk, he’s been fixing the loose track with some caulk. And using cork going forward. I’d avoid it and use cork or Woodland Scenics, I’ve had good results with both.