Woodland Scenics roadbed

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hey everyone,

Yes i know there have been posts about the WS stuff before but i didnt find any that specifically related to handlaid track. If you guys find one just point me there instead.

But anyways… I’m building a new small sectional layout and all the track will be handlaid. I am still trying to decide between that foam roadbed from WS and just ordinary cork. I’m interested in how the foam handles spikes. What i thought of doing was spiking the rail to the ties and then gluing the ties to the foam. However on my limited experiments with the foam, it didnt appear hard enough so that when the spikes were pushed in, it pushed the foam down and squished it. I’d like to handlay the track and turnouts in place too. I’m really not keen on doing a lot of gluing either, i want to be able to shift things slighty to make adjustments.

Thanks for your help.

2

Foam won’t hold spikes at ALL. No ifs, ands or buts. Not even the fairly rigid stuff like foam insulation or posterboard will hold nails. Of course, cork really doesn’t like to hold nails either, so your best bet is to use Homasote or Homabed when handlaying spiked track (if your handlaying and soldering to PC boards, basically any roadbed will work)

3

Tyson;

Follow Ray’s advice, the only other suitable material is clear soft pine.

4

Lauan is also a good choice. I test woodland scenics in N scale and i don’t appréciate this matérial. My choice is cork. Lauan plywood came in 4’X8’x1/4" , is low price matérial and also more stable than homasote and of course,hold nail very well.