Cork or No Cork Roadbed?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am constructing a very small 2 x 4 N scale layout and am struggling with going with laying my own roadbed or going with the more modern “built in”. Probably will have on about 10 feet of mainline total with about 3 or 4 turnouts.

Any opinions?

2

Not sure what you mean by ‘built in’ - all prototype mainline trackage has some kind of roadbed. Or are you looking at the sectional track like Bachmann EZ Track or Kato Unitrack that has the roadbed and track together?

Jim

3

Guess you can tell Im new to this.

Yes I’m referring to the Uni-track, etc.

My RR that I built many years ago required that I lay the cork roadbed down then added the track. No such thing as Unitrack back then and with me going with such a small layout if there would be much difference in cost, appearance and operation.

Thanks

4

Hi,

I’ve been playing with trains since the '50s, and my thoughts on your situation may be considered “old fashioned” and out of date - but you may want to consider anyhow…

If you feel that your 2x4 layout is the start of a long term hobby, I would highly recommend picking up the cork roadbed and exposing yourself to the type of set up that many of the experienced modelers use. In the process, you can hone and advance your skills.

If you feel this layout is a one time thing, and want to get it up and going as soon and as easily as possible, then go with the unitrack or whatever else is “ready made”.

In either case - take your time, learn about the hobby, and ENJOY !!!

5

Thanks,

Oh the plan is to be long term with a much bigger layout in the future. This is more of a learning layout now so I want to get the most for the least so I can move on to bigger things.

6

If this is to be a learning experience, then you’d might as well learn proper tracklaying from the start. Eventually, you will need odd curves and turnouts that are not available as Unitrack sections. Roadbed, tracklaying and ballasting are all skills you’ll need later, so you’d might as well start now.

I personally like Woodland Scenics foam roadbed. That’s one experiment you can do for yourself, though, as you can do part of a layout with cork roadbed and part with foam, and they’ll play well together.

7

There is no reason you cannot combine Uni track etc with conventional track. However once you learn the skills of laying conventional or flex track you will probably will stick with it.

8

You might want to add this small layout on to a bigger one in the future?

You could plan for that now by adding a couple more switches in the “key” locations.

Just use them as sidings for now?