How do you make cork roadbed turn?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi everyone,

Here is a question I am trying to figure out. I am laying a cork roadbed for my o gague layout. How do you bend the cork to make run wih the turns? Do you wet it , do you make perpendicular cuts in certain places on the outside and cut a wedge on the inside to make it turn, or do you just bend it best yo can and nailit down? My turns are all 0-31. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Roy

2

I assume you are using cork that is split down the middle. If so lay one half at a time, bend it around your curve aligning the centerline. Nail it down or glue it and pin it in place until the glue dries. The important thing here is to stagger the joints between the two sides.
Ron

3

If you are having problems bending the cork the problem might be the cork is too old and has dried out and become brittle, OR you are trying to make far too sharp a curve.
Dave Nelson

4

Roy,
You might try the local craft stores to see if they carry sheet cork. You could cut
your own O gauge curved roadbed using an X-acto knife. If the sheet cork is too thin, you may have to use a double or triple layer to get the depth you need.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

5

When you have split cork roadbed, Follow the curve of your track one side at a time as you glue or nail it down. It will lay flat and bend the way you need it to. Remeber what “n2mopac” said stagger the joints and the nails so you don’t get uneven spots, dips in the track . Funny , I had the same question about 2 years ago.[:)]

Mike

6

For HO sharp curves, I found that soaking the cork and bending seems to work well. Use warm water. Nail it place or use glue with push pins to hold it until it dries. O31 is pretty sharp for O. So if soaking doesn’t work try using HO roadbed and laying 4 strips with the middle two laid with the shoulders over lapping (one piece will be upside down). I haven’t done this, so if it’s too wide maybe only one center strip upside down is all you need.
Enjoy
Paul

7

My cork will bend without any problems if I use pieces 6-9 inches long. If I put a nail in every inch or two to hold it down I can navigate the turns. Every now and then it buckles a little as I try to put it down.

8

The cork we’re familiar with in N and HO comes in three foot lengths and is split down the middle.