I am getting ready to start a new layout. I have always used Bachmann ez-track or atlas code 100 track under cork roadbed on my layouts. Now the qustion I have is What are some other ways to make road bed? Such as Im considering using Rulers on my straight areas and cork on the rest. What other tips and ideas do you have for different roadbed types? Thanks
You might want to look into Homabed.
There is no “best” roadbed, but there are many different materials that you can use. Homasote or camper tape are used by quite a few of us.
Take a look at this thread.
My personal choice is the good old cork roadbed, glued to the plywood sub roadbed with latex caulk or other, elastic glue.
http://www.hobbyinnovations.com/
I wanted to use this for my layout but I was in a rush to get things done (which i am now paying for). it looks like cool stuff. My friend used it on his layout and he really liked how it came out.
I like white pine, 'cause it holds track nails and spikes so well. I made my own. I used a bandsaw to resaw ordinary 3/4 inch pine boards into 1/4 inch boards. Then I band sawed curved pieces and special track work (turnouts mostly) to size. Then I beveled all the edges to 45 degrees with a router mounted in a home made router table. Cost was minimal. Latex caulk stuck the roadbed down on the foam, and then track nails secured the flex track to the pine roadbed. The pine road bed is softer than 1/4 inch plywood 'cause it lacks the diamond hard glue layers that plywood has. Those glue layers are hard enough to cause track nails to bend over into a U shape.
If don’t have a bandsaw, you can find used ones on Craigslist for $100. Very useful tools.
I really like Flexxbed (or Vinylbed as they used to call it) and used it on my current layout. But when I purchased it, I was told that they only make it to order, so you have to wait a number of weeks to receive it. It seemed odd that they wouldn’t have a few boxes made up ahead of time, but they didn’t.
Another small problem is that they only sell it by the case. So if you run short, you have to buy another case and then wait weeks for them to produce it.
I would use it again, but I’d be better prepared to deal with the above issues the next time.
Jim
No question Homabed by California roadbed company is by far the best roadbed material there is hands down. Cork dry, cracks and crumbles. W?S foam rubber roadbed etc.doesn’t like solvent based paint AT ALL so if you use them for lets say track detailing your gonna be in for a big surprise.and they don’t have 45or 60 degree ballast shoulder so they don’t really look that great when compared to Homabed. If your into hand laying track and turnouts Homabed is the stuff. Some say it’s the same as Homasote just a lot more money. True it is more money but when you break it down not all that much more. Anyone who has choked on Homasote dust and gone through saw blade on their table saw knows exactly where I’m coming form.
As a foundation on which your railroad is going to sit literally this is not a place so sacrifice and go cheap.
HI
I am struggling with this on my layout. I still have my atlas track tacked to the blue foam board of my layout,
I’m not sure there is such a thing as “best roadbed”. There will be many opinions and disclaimers.
Cork is popluar but tends to dry out and fails.
Woodland Scenics foam {a squishy kind} seems to deteriorate and fails.
Homasoate or homabed seems popluar but can also have expansion and contraction issues and fails.
Some have come up with/ tried or wanted to try such things as:linoleum, carpet padding, drop ceiling soundproof tiles, etc and have not had much success either.
I think it comes down to your preference/availability and what you prefer as to what you choose.
Good luck and may your layout run fine and smooth!
my current layout is a big one, three decks, started in 1983 and I used homabed for all the track. That means I have had the first homabed down for 27 years give or take and have never had any problems with it. Always glad to recommend it.
Bob
My layout is 7 years old and utilizes a Woodland Scenics Foam Track-Bed base for the track. Doesn’t crack or split or dry up at all. Easy to shape for curves and comes beveled for easy ballasting.
I am using the same thing over my homasote base
You can tack through the scenic track bed into the homasote so you don’t have to glue it
I want to thank everyone for there ideas and suggestions im going to try a little of each on my yard and see how it turns out.