Which roadbed would you go with?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Hi,

I have a gift certificate for this website and am trying to figure out which roadbed to go with.

First there’s this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZE07&P=F

Or this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMX82&P=F

I’m really leaning towards this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAV45&P=F

I’m not sure if this website has anything better. If you could quickly search that would be appreciated. I don’t know what to look for. This will be my first time making roadbed.

I’ve seen the cork roadbed used and I think it looks ok. I will probably add kitty litter or the foam scenery stuff to make it look like rocks. This is just to elevate the track so it’s level with my 022 switches (I want to use 022 switches with 0-27 track). With the cork roadbed, will I be able to bend it for 0-27 curves? Or is that too tight?

I am really liking the woodland scenic roadbed because I think the darker gray will look perfect with my light brown 0-27 ties. The brown ties should contrast nicely. I’m just curious if anyone has used either, and how to bend them for 0-27" curves.

Thanks

2

Before I switched to O gauge track, I used 027 with my Lionel O gauge switches by using a piece of cedar shingle for a shim to keep the track height even with the switch. Open the 027 track ends to fit the thicker O gauge pins from the switch. As far as roadbed goes, I put the track on homasote and acoustical ceiling tile to deaden the sound and then used sifted stone dust for a base and sparingly topped it off with Woodland Scenics Gray coarse ballast(T1389) and fine black cinders(#?). Then, wet it down with a white glue/water mix to keep it all together. I use a turkey baster to apply the mix. It looks great and you use your $ for something else!

3

I recommend the Woodland Scenics foam roadbed on the roll. That’s what I use and I am very happy with the results. For using it on O27 curves you may have to split the roadbed in half, using the perforated centerline to make those curves without it bunching up on the inside.

Tim C.