LOOKING FOR TRACK-BED OPINIONS

The track bed would raise the track enough to make it more realistic for sure.  I use cork roadbed by Model Power - real easy to work with.  I either use hot glue or staples to hold it down.  If you ballast you won't see the staples at all.  I just completed my layout and have 3 unopened boxes of cork roadbed if you're interested, Jim.

 

Good luck

Paul

Midwest Cork Roadbed.  It gives you a realistic shape/base to work from.  I have Gargraves track as well.  

I use Woodland Scenic foam track bed with my Gargraves.

 

 

Woodland Scenics

 

Gilly

Harleylito,

 

Hey Paul, email sent.

 

Jim

Homosote beveled on a 45 works well

JIM

TOO MUCH SOUND DEADENING.   I LIKE YOUR CHOICE OF 5/8 PLYWOOD. JUST USE THE CORK ROADBED ON TOP THEN THE TRACK AND YOU SHOULD BE FINE.   ENJOY THE BUILD

STEVE

I really like the great job done with the homasote however that stuff is far too pricey as the insulation board I use cost nine bucks per sheet--about a third of the cost.  

Too much Sound deadening??

I don't think so but if it is, I will just put the track screws all the way down to the plywood to increase the sound.

 

Jim

We used cork on top of the homasote just to create that extra elevation for the mainlines.

 

Homabed -- don't know about how much it costs per foot today, but 20+ years ago when i laid my track (Gargraves), it was much less expensive per foot than Midwest cork or Vinylbed. Used it on all my main lines. It was very easy to work with as the product was pre-beveled, easy to bend for curves (kerfs were cut in it), and  pre-cut pieces were available for under turnouts. Then i used a couple of sheets of Homasote ($19.95 for a 4x8 sheet) for my yard areas.

 

All the products out there are good and relatively easy to work with so be sure to check their cost per foot.

 

jackson  CEO, Not-So-Great-Eastern RR

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...&feature=channel

I use Vinylbed.  I like it, but there are 2 things to keep in mind with it:

1. Laying it down to match curves is somewhat of a kabuki dance.  You almost need 3 hands.  You have to hold it in place, put the sectional curved piece on top, mark the lines for the Vinylbed, fasten it, and then put down the track.
2. The formulation changed a few years ago.  My older stuff seems lighter in color and more flexible.  The newer stuff seems stiffer.  Maybe that's just my perception.

A friend is using Midwest Cork under Atlas O.  Seems to work well.  Certainly looks good.

 

Molded roadbed products that fit the track can get expensive quickly, although they certainly fit the product well and are minimum hassle.

 

I'd look into the cork roadbed if I were doing this over again.

 

George

Homabed, now California Roadbed, is very expensive. I used it on my switching layout and 40' of straight bed cost me just over $100 shipped. Great stuff, easy to use, but very
Pricy

Sorry to hear that Homabed (California Roadbed) has become pricey. When i bought the stuff the company was located here in the Northeast, and as i recall their product was several hundred dollars less (delivered) than comparable quantities of the competitor's products. i loved it's ease of use especially on curves and under turnouts.

 

jackson

You can get the realistic shaped cork roadbed from Midwest Cork--all over the Internet at various prices.  It looks great with Gargraves track!  It's what I've had for several years now.