I saw this roadbed advertised in OGR. I've used cork in the past, and wondered how this stuff looks and works.
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Paul,
Allan Miller likes that stuff. He says it is pretty easy to use.
Dave
Originally Posted by Paul Kallus:
I saw this roadbed advertised in OGR. I've used cork in the past, and wondered how this stuff looks and works.
Works FANTASTIC!!!! Our whole layout is done with that product (previous name was VinylBed), and it is VERY easy to work with (simply glue it down). It is also VERY quiet, and especially so after ballasting with Matt Medium to hold the ballast in place.
Forgot to add that it comes in two thicknesses for O Scale, i.e. 3/8" thick for main lines and 1/4" thick for sidings & yard tracks.
The PRR Panhandle uses the original product, Vinylbed. I purchased that in 2002-3. Later in 2007-8 I bought some more for my storage yard. I think it changed formulas around then as the newer stuff is a bit stiffer. But I have both the 1/4" thick stuff for yards and the 3/8" thickness for the mainline. I like it.
George
I use it and love it! It's super easy to work with. My original intent was it glue it down but found it stays secure with track screwed down on top of it. Only down side is it requires a bit of lead time. It took about a month to get after the check was mailed.
I just sent a check for 5 cases of the 3/8ths.
I Think its probably a really good road bed, however, because I used 5/8 Homesote, over 5/8 Plywood and 1/4 inch thick cork roadbed, (Cork was a lot less expensive) I passed on this product.
I think that Vinylbed would be a great product for sound deadening your pike. Let us know how it works for you. Happy Layout Building....
Great product! Used for my entire layout. Tack coated back side with adhesive spray, placed under track, followed curves perfectly. Quieted Atlas 3 rail significantly and ballast stuck to edges neatly. Have to wait awhile for shipment after your order is paid for, so plan accordingly.
Who sells this product?
Loved working with the stuff. I just my entire layout in it.
Goes down super easy, bends easy and only needs simple Elmer's Glue to make it stay in place.
Good to know there's positive reviews. I didn't see it comes in 1/4" thickness, just saw the 3/8". I am use to cork at 3/16" thick, which seems like a mainline height? Isn't 3/8" very high for O-gauge? Anyone have any pictures they'd like to share? I plan to ballast and it'd be great if this stuff will peel up if I ever have to move again (cork ends up getting glued to plywood and comes up in pieces).
Oh yeah, it's a great product. Easy to work with and does the job nicely.
Good product!
Originally Posted by Paul Kallus:
Good to know there's positive reviews. I didn't see it comes in 1/4" thickness, just saw the 3/8". I am use to cork at 3/16" thick, which seems like a mainline height? Isn't 3/8" very high for O-gauge? Anyone have any pictures they'd like to share? I plan to ballast and it'd be great if this stuff will peel up if I ever have to move again (cork ends up getting glued to plywood and comes up in pieces).
The 3/8" thick product is perfect for main line track in O Scale, when fully ballasted. The 1/4" thick material works well for sidings. Here are three photos showing the double track main line (on 3/8" thick VinylBed), with the yard lead/passing siding on the right (on 1/4" VinylBed).
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Images (3)
I used both the old and new variants. The older version held screws better, but if you use the proper screws or just use screws to hold the track in place until ballast dries, you're fine. Don't use screws that are too short.
Very good product. Much better than cork.
Scrappy
Originally Posted by Scrapiron Scher:
I used both the old and new variants. The older version held screws better, but if you use the proper screws or just use screws to hold the track in place until ballast dries, you're fine. Don't use screws that are too short.
For what it's worth, we used no screws during the installation of the VinylBed, nor the Atlas track, since we felt that any screws would transmit the noise/vibration directly into the 3/4" roofing plywood. Now, to clarify that, yes we had to screw some of the curved Atlas "Flextrack" into place, however a day or two after the TightBond Wood glue was fully set, all the screws were removed, and we moved on to the text track laying area.
Very good product. Much better than cork.
Absolutely correct! We researched ALL the products on the market at the time of layout construction, and this was by far the best for what we wanted to accomplish, i.e. an early 1950s steam ear layout/scene.
Scrappy
What about a product called Track-Bed by Woodland Scenics? It's similar to Flexxbed but a little cheaper. Any reviews on that?
I like that the Flexxbed is made in the USA.
I like that the Flexxbed is made in the USA.
Originally Posted by Hudson J1e:
What about a product called Track-Bed by Woodland Scenics? It's similar to Flexxbed but a little cheaper. Any reviews on that?
Must admit that I've never heard of it, when I was doing my research for the layout construction.
I like that the Flexxbed is made in the USA.
Thanks for the pictures Hot Water and Matthew. Excellent ballasting Hot Water!
Does anyone know the difference between the 2-rail Flexxbed and 3-rail - they're both the same thickness and price?
fwiw, I saw the bed from Woodland Scenics yesterday at Nicholas Smith, it comes in a roll and is foam of some sort, seems it would be easy to shape into curves; thickness looked like 1/4" to 3/16" but forgot to verify.
As far as sound deadening qualities obviously the 3/8" thick Flexxbed would absorb more than the 1/4" thick, but since I'd have to transition from existing cork at 3/16" thickness to 3/8" Flexxbed, I may just have to use the 1/4" flexxbed. or I'll just stay with cork, am not sure what to do.
Another choice is the foam bed from Ross for both Atlas and Ross track. I haven't seen any layouts with this stuff yet.
I'm thinking of placing my fastrack on top of this product to soften the sound. I'll try a sample first.
We use it at the NJ Hirailers Club. It is an excellent product, easy to use and works very well. Much better than cork.
