It’s been several years since I’ve had a layout. I can’t remember if the first one I buit used two peices of cork seperated and put back to back under the track or if a person should use just one piece. I have laid one piece of track on my new layout with just one piece of cork, the cork only seems to be under the track and it looks like the track is way up in the air. What would be best laying two pieces back to back with the beveled edge out or just one piece. Any help would be great.[:)]
The cork roadbed is split down the middle at an angle. Separate the two pieces and put the tapered edge on the sides of the track.
cacole has it right. Follow that advice.
To install them, you draw the centerline of the track on the sub-roadbed, then use white glue thinned 50:50 with water to fasten them, if appropriate. Thinning the glue makes it easier to take up later if you decide to make any changes. The split cork goes down a half at a time, following the centerline. You may have to lightly tack the roadbed in place on curves; use brads and remove them when the glue is dry The http://www.nmra.org/beginner/track.html You can use the split line on the cork for a centerline.
the beveled edge must go to the outside for realistic appearence also cork can usually be nailed down with track nails if glue won’t do -even though the insturctions for my cork say to draw a center line i “freehanded” it beacause my track was laid down before i had cork.
N scale has single peice roadbed, right?
The N scale cork I have seen is the usual 2 piece, just like HO…
Jim Bernier
One more thought. I find with cork, it’s a good idea to lighlyt hit the edges with a file or sandpaper after it’s laid, before putting down track.
N-scale cork is two piece. I hit cork with a mini-sander when I’m done, too, Jack. It makes sure the surface is smooth and rounds off the edges a bit.
I’ve started using foam and like that, too.
Go to WWW.Midwestproducts.com for a free brochure on how to use cork.