Hello everybody,
So I am working on my first layout that requires me to actually lay cork roadbed (HO scale Atlas Code 83 track). And it was all fun and games until I got to the turnouts, specifically the single line crossovers. I need some help. I have probably wasted 3 whole strips of Midwest cork roadbed trying to figure out a solution! So here I am. I know that this may seem challenging or hard to express through words, but please give it a shot! Thank you!
What do you mean by a “single line crossover?” A sketch might be helpful.
I presume you have two parallel lines the crossover connects and that you have cork down to carry both, leaving a gap in the middle. How wide is the gap?
There’s no right or wrong way to lay the cork so long as it snuggles down so the resulting surface is flat. There are two basic approaches. One is to lay the crossover cork parallel to the mains. Ideally, the space will be about the distance apart so the space for crossover cork is filled by it, but you can cut the cork narrower if needed. It should be upside down so that the side slopes on it match the slopes of the cork on the mains. Test fit it and then cuts the ends of the crossover cork so they follow the crossover track angle as well as provide a side slope.
The other approach uses the two half strips of cork to simply follow the crossover track. The ends where it intersects the mains on each side are cut with an angle and slope to match the side slope of the existing cork.
Above all, don’t use any glue when test fitting. Get it laying down right, then glue it. Once the glue sets, use a Stanley Surform or other means to make sure the roadbed is nice and level before laying track.
Also, when the glue has set, sand or file the cork surface to smooth the top. A Sureform tool is a good thing to use for this.