What is the best road bed material to use under switches? Any special technique involved?
Personally I would say to stick with whatever roadbed you are using under everything else – otherwise you will have to mess about with transitions. This might involve changes of height… if it doesn’t when you start it might later as things settle down and/or age. You might also find that you get variations in the sound produced by trains (especially the heavier locos) rolling on the different roadbeds.
[:P]
excellent advice but i might add if you are using cork roadbed, you can find sheet cork squares at wally-world that are almost the same thickness. i use this material under the switches on yard leads and such. it is a coarse grain but can easily be cut with a knife or heavy scissors and if need be, you can shim it up to exact height with cardboard.
grizlump
Now there is something I did not know.
If you can, scan the turnouts and print. Use them for templates to cut out the cork or what ever you may be using as roadbed.
Cuda Ken
I read about a new technique (it may not be new, but it’s new to me) in a recent issue of Model Railroader. The article showed the modeler notching the roadbed (cork) area under the throwbar.
Whatever you choose to use may I offer this suggestion! Before you attach your roadbed to the layout paint it a color as close as you can to the ballast you will be using. This helps eliminate using so much ballast around the turnouts, which can cause problems. There are some textured paints that add even a more realistic looking texture and requiring less ballast. You can paint all your roadbed prior to attaching, but in most cases it isn’t needed as mainline ballast is thick enough to hide the roadbed. Using a pad for the turnouts, crossovers and the like is good as it eliminates the need cut small “fit” pieces or fill gaps you may have left. If you are using a foam roadbed you might want to be sure the paint does not react with the foam. Cork, no problems that I know of. When you cut the pads from a sheet, be sure to leave enough space so you can bevel the edges if you are working along the mainline where the roadbed slopes away from the tracks. In yards where the whole area is relatively flat, no need.
Good luck,