Is there a source for 1/4", O gauge roadbed with tapered edges or 1/4' sheet homasote to make roadbed? I have only been able to find 1/2" homasote.
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Instead of homasote (which is messy to work with (dust!), relatively expensive, heavy, unwieldy and generally hard to find), let me suggest Vinylbed or its successor Flexxbed. It comes in either 3/8" or 1/4" tapered. And you can get rectangular sheets in approximately sized for switches. It does a great job of deadening sound - much better than cork in my opinion.
I use Vinylbed and I like it.
George
I would second Flexxbed. I liked using it, works well.
I have not seen Homasote in 1/4" or anything under 1/2".
link of Flexxbed discussion.
We use homesite over plywood to deaden sound. It works well and, when cut with a knife blade, is practically dust free. Do not use anything but a flat knife blade in your saw.
Flexbed, etc then works really well. We use cork for our main line and put the yards and sidings directly on the homasote.
Sorry but no 1/4” homasote.
Thank you all for the quick replies and links. Do any of you know the thickness of Flexbed and the minimum diameter to which it can be bent?
Thank you.
Randy, the product you were looking for is called Homabed. It was most recently made and sold by Cascade Rail Supply. Cascade went out of business early this year.
George is right, vinyl bed is a perfect sound deadening product and is curveable and holds small screws. It comes in different thicknesses and is affordable. I used homasote on top of 1/2-5/8 plywood and 1/4 cork roadbed under the track. On my layout, you can turn all the sounds off and it’s very quiet, you could almost hear a pin drop. Back in the year 2000, Trainworld sold cork in boxes for $25 plus shipping. My layout is built on a grid-L-girder system. One of the neat features of the grid system is rises and falls of trackage. Up and overs look natural. Happy Railroading Everyone
