roadbed for turnouts

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Right now I’m planning on using WS foam roadbed. For those who also use this how do you do roadbed for the turnouts? I was going to get the 24’ rolls and I know they make cork roadbed for turnouts.

Thanks,
Aaron

2

I lay the straight though route first then lay the WS roadbed on top of the diverging track and cut it ( carefully so you don’t damage the track) along the edge of the straight though roadbed, making the angle correct once installed under the track.

Once it’s ballasted (if ever) it will hide the join.

Ken.

3

Aaron,

Indeed they do make turnout pads in cork. However, I agree with Ken that there is no need to use them as with cork the road bed is split and you can just follow the diverging routes out of each turnout and then fit a wedge into the gap in the middle. Looking at WS foam, it looks as if it is not split, so you can either follow one route thru the turnout and then cut the other route at an angle to fit. Or you can go for the sheets and make your turnout pads that way. I would be tempted to try the first approach as the roadbed shoulder profile will be preserved.

4

Something that I’ve done to make my roadbed for turnouts:
Buy sheet cork, the same thickness as the regular cork roadbed. I’m sure you can find foam in sheets that’s the correct thickness.
I used RTS from Atlas to design my layout, and I’ve found that I’m able to print the pieces of track out full size, cut them out and glue or tape them onto my layout. You could print some (full sized, of course) and do as I’ve done. Trace them out, add 1/4" extra on the sides and cut them out. I’ve seen the premade ones, and I imagine they work great, but this is “way cheaper”, er, more thriftier.

5

WS also makes sheets of the black foam that you can cut to the exact size of the turnout by using the turnout as a template and tracing around it. Or you can just cut the diverging roadbed to the angle that will fit. Either way it’s pretty quick and simple…

6

Thanks everyone! I was thinking of doing it by just using the rolls and cutting them at an angle like suggested.