I have an idea for a small switching layout based on one that I saw at the modeltrainsinternational site. My question is this-being that the layout is going to be a small one 12"x48" will it be necessary to install the track on cork roadbed or can I just mount the track directly to the board?
The reason I ask is in the past I found it necessary to raise the height of some trackside structures to match track height. Any help will be appreciated.
You pick 'em!
Since your layout is going to be a switching layout (I assume a lot of trackside industry in either HO or N scale), it would be more appropriate to have the track at the same height as the building’s “foundations.” The track in most industrial areas that I’ve seen was not on any sort of elevated roadbed.
Here’s an idea, since your layout is going to be only 12" wide: glue cork tile to your board. You’d need only 4 pieces of 12X12. The cork tile will give you a better base for placing structures and scenery than the plywood or pine base, and it will offer you some sound-deadening qualities.
Nothing wrong with fastening the track directly to your board so that everything will be at the same height. I might suggest that you cover the board with 1/2" Homasote and use small spikes from Model Engineering to hold the track in place. Its kinda difficult to drive a track nail or a spike directly in to plywood or a board. The Homasote has execellent spike holding properties. All you have to do is pu***he spikes in with a pair of needle nose pliers…Vic
I have a friend with a garage sized industrial layout. He covered the entire plywood surface with Homosote and laid the tracks directly on the Homosote. He’s been runing for about three years with great variations in temperature and he has not experienced a problem.
The biggest problem that I have with Homasote is that it’s impossible to find in my part of the country. I even asked the local Home Depot if they could get it. The answer was that there was “no call” for it here and they couldn’t justify ordering it. It was basically the same response I got from Sutherlands several years ago.
Anyway, that’s why I suggested the cork tile. It comes packaged 4 tiles/pkg., which would cover his 12"X48" layout perfectly. And it’s less than $10.
Mike C: how thick is the cork tile, and what make is it ? thanks / Mike R
You could also cover your base with pink or blue foam used for insulation, comes in 4x8 ft sheets, 1/2 to 2 in thick, available at Menards, Home Depot, et al (but could be hard to find depending on your location).
Isn’t that strange…The Home Depot here carries Homasote. But here’s a couple of suggestions for finding it.
- Call the Homasote Corp…toll free…They are in New Jersy. They will give you the name and location of the nearest distributor to you. They’re real nice folks and in fact in their advertising they point out the model railroading uses for their product.
- See if there is a cabinetry supply distributor in your area. ( They distibute Formica, and cabinet grade plywood) Often their supply sources carry Homasote and they will order it for you…Hope this helped…Vic
I’ve seen it in a variety of thicknesses over the years, but the most common “decorator” tile is either 1/4" or 3/8". I don’t recall who makes it.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check them out when I get back to putting up more benchwork.
I’ve looked at cork tiles, but they seem to have a very coarse cork in them.
I have used a piece cut from a roll of cork at the hardware store – very fine ground like some bulletin boards.
David
The cork is quite coarse, but I discovered a long time ago that the coarseness could be an advantage when scenicking. After applying paint, ground foam, twigs, pebbles, etc., the whole effect is quite realistic. I found it preferable to having the sub-surface perfectly flat and smooth.
I’m probably thinking of the wrong kind of cork tiles, but the ones I remember would scale up to having cracks about 2 ft across (HO) in them. Hey, maybe I can use them to model a lava field or something!
Kidding aside, you’re right, almost anything is an improvement over the pool-table effect. That’s why I suggest using foam in my earlier post, it’s so easy to shape it. (Messy maybe, but easy.)
Last time I looked they didn’t have a web site but now they do…www.homasote.com
Click on “Where to buy it” and enter your zip code and it will give you the nearest dealer…Vic