In laying track what is better to use foam road bed or cork road bed
Which ever you choose will work fine, it’s a matter of preference and difference. Neither one is superior to the other.
I myself prefer foam. It’s more flexible and easier to use for me than cork. It lays down cleaner and is more forgiving. On the other hand the stiffness of the cork can be helpful too.
Many people have found different products they use and like as well. If I was doing it again I would look for something a little more dense than the foam and a little more flexible than the cork. I would probably opt for a denser foam material of which there is a plethora available, it’s just not ready cut and packages for model rail roads.
I personally don’t use either, I have used cork in the past but it tends to dry out get hard and become brittle over along period of time. I now only use Homabed as I feel it’s a far superior product to cork but thats just my opinion.
If I had to choose between the two I would go with cork simply because with foam you don’t get the proper ballast shoulders.If you like foam properties you may want to consider using topper or camper tape.
I use cork, it can be sanded if you get a high spot and span small low spots, foam just follows the contours. Cork will not dry out and crumble if ballasted, though I have never seen cork do this before anyway (and I have used some old stuff) which makes me think it is a brand issue, I use Midwest and only Midwest.
I’d also check out Flexxbed. Get some free samples like I did. It is a very nice product, stiffer than Wood Sc. Foam but not as stiff as cork. Have heard good things about it, although the cost is a little more.
I bought an “n” scale layout ballasted with cork and the cork was hard and brittle. I hav e changed the cork to woodland scenics foam and am very happy with the results. One must sand it gently with 120 grit sand paper to remove the sheen and open the pores. When this is done the adhesive caulk used to glue it down will adhere much better.
Dave
I have used cork and Trackbed and prefer trackbed. Cheap, quiet running, good dark colour
Since I live in the Dessicated Desert and am building my, “Last in this lifetime,” layout, cork is a non-starter. After a few years of extremely low humidity and 100-plus degree temperatures id dries out and crumbles - not good.
My roadbed is carved from fan-fold underlayment - pink extruded foam intended for use under metal and vinyl siding. I prefer that to the commercial ‘soft foam’ roadbed, since some of my trackwork is hand-laid on wood ties. There is a layer of card stock (track template - similar in consistency to saltine cracker box material) and two layers of latex caulk between the ties and the foam roadbed. As a result, the microspikes I use go in easily and hold well - much more so than when using natural wood.
Of course, natural wood is another thing that doesn’t fare well here. I build benchwork from steel studs.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)