Hey Guys… I am planning on using the instant roadbed for my two main lines but I want to do a few crossovers Is it easy with this I would think you would just meld the two peices together… LMK Joseph
Our club used AMI for an HO layout and my opinion was that I was not very impressed with the results. Some times it would stick, sometimes NOT. Sure, you could cut strips of AMI and fill in the void between tracks for a cross over. Actually with 2" centers the pieces would be pretty close anyway so you could just place cross overs without bridging the gap. Ballasting is a bit of a pain with AMI.
My choice would be to stay with tried-and-true Midwest cork. I like being able to maintain the track center line by using the split cork and laying each half dead-on the track centerline drawn on your sub roadbed.
I’d say experiment with the AMI before investing lots of time or money on a permanent installation…
Oh yeah…
Remember to allow for free movement of your switch throw bars either by cutting out the AMI under the throw bar or place some kind of slippery, thin plastic under the throwbar so it does not stick to the AMI.
Or both. I put a slippery surface under the throw bars but it was too thin and the goop pressed upward restricting their freedom of movement anyway.
I really hate the AMI roadbed and will never use it again.
I use Woodland Scenics foam roadbed. I glue it down with latex caulk (Liquid Nails for Projects) to my pink foam base. Then I glue the track with the same stuff. It works great and sets up solidly, but I can still take it up easily with a putty knife if I have to. It ballasts easily and is easy to work with. Although it’s not sticky on top, I also found that the turnout throws bind a little bit, so I cut a notch under the throw for clearance.