Midwest Cork Roadbed now different??

Sounds like they shipped bias ply vs radial?

I think they are now mixing the cork with rubber as it has a very strong odor which actually smells like you just stepped into a PepBoys. I am really dissapointed because of the slanted edges pull apart looking like crap. I can't wait to call them tomorrow to find out what the deal is. I'm seriously wondering if anyone else has noticed this??

When I built my layout several years ago, I had trouble getting a clean edge when I separated the pieces.  I finally started cutting them apart with a utility knife.  This took care of the problem.

Tom

I like your idea Tom but I didn't pay $40 to have to go through this when all of the other cases I had pulled apart very clean. They clearly changed the design in materials used to manufacture these. I can live with the odor it's just those edges need to be there and clean.

Not a good sign, no matter how you cut it? 

I agree Bill! The crappy part is that I am almost done with all of my track work which took a few years and just going to need maybe one or 2 more cases of 25

I'm hoping I just got a bad batch and that they would send me out another case without having me to have to send these back first.

I was wondering why it went out of stock everywhere for a few months. I guess this is why. Thats a shame, because it was so easy to work with it. I hope you've just got a bad batch of it, otherwise I'm going to have to go find some of the old stuff. I dont think the half a case I have left is going to do it for me.

I was at a friends house the other day and he had just received some HO MW cork and when he opened the box it DID smell and it was a totally different color from his on hand stash pile.  So much for world trade! Russ

I read someplace that good quality cork is hard to find now, wine producers have hard time to find good quality cork for their stopper. May be Midland simply try to make a compromise instead of using cheap cork.

And you're asking us, instead of asking them...why?

I may have a few cases of what you need in the storeroom. I will check in the morning and send you a PM.

Thanks for the heads up. I was thinking about getting some cork roadbed for the layout I'm building; guess I'll be looking at other options. 

One "other option" is Woodland Scenics foam roadbed, which I like very much and have used pretty much since it was first introduced.  Very easy to work with--even easier than cork.  Comes in 24-foot rolls for O gauge.

I agree as well. I used it on my layout and works great for me.

Is the Woodland Scenics foam roadbed better or more preferred than the Flexxbed product ?

Mike  

Mike

Flexxbed is very good and some of the people in our club use it and it looks great. I chose to use the Woodland Scenic and it works great for me and cheaper and was local to get at the train store. It is just what I like for me.

I have used midwest cork for more then twenty years. I have never seen or had even cuts. I always had one side a tiny bit jagged when I broke them in two but not overly bad so I always placed that side away from view. I have not bought a box in a few years so I never noticed that smell.............................Paul

The local toy train shop has had a delay in being able to restocking cork roadbed.  They finally just received some.  They had heard the delay was due the an increase uses of cork in the flooring industry.

My Layout was 40' X 50' and I used Flexxbed (formally Vinylbed) with Atlas Track. The sound deadning and looks were Fantastic!!! Only way to go!!!

Fredstrains

Fred,

Is it necessary to use Homasote or the like under Flexxbed or will Flexxbed on top of plywood by itself control the sound ?  

Mike 

when I was out to see jason back in july, he said that midwest was out of stock for a couple of months. problem was getting the same grade of cork that they used, and that the supply is not enough to meet the high demand.

seems more people have found a use for cork than us railroaders. 

Mike,

NO, I used the Flexxbed right on top of the PLYWOOD. I glued the Flexxbed to the Plywood with Glue and screwed the Atlas Track to the "BED ONLY"!  Don't penetrate the Plywood  with the screws and you will have a very quiet system!!

Fred

Ok everyone I spoke with Midwest today and what they had told me was that they had a few batches go out that were made with rubber due to the fact that cork is in high demand. I then called MB Klein (modeltrainstuff) where I ordered the Midwest from and they said that they noticed the strong rubber smell that covers part of there warehouse and they said that they already have had a few customers complain about the quality of the recent cork they received. They also said they were having the same problems with the Slant side either being broken/chipped away. MB Klein sent me a UPS return label to send it back to them for a full refund. After work I went over to one of my local hobby shops and luckly was able to grab there last box which was a non rubber smelling box so I knew right away these will be from a good batch. I also opened one up and sure enough they were just like the original cases I had purhased in the past so I am now very happy I found a good box and can continue on with building my yard

Is it necessary to use Homasote or the like under Flexxbed or will Flexxbed on top of plywood by itself control the sound ?  

Flexxbed/Vinylbed (or cork, for that matter) can be used right on the plywood and it will certainly cut the noise. However, if you want maximum noise reduction, use the roadbed on top of a soft, non-resonant top such as Homasote or sound board. It also makes a big difference what you are running on the track. Standard Gauge tinplate is NOISY. G gauge is all but silent. O gauge is in between; postwar is a lot noisier than more modern stuff with can motors and needlepoint axles. Solid track is quieter than tubular. Wooden ties are quieter than metal or plastic. Fastrack is noisy unless you fill the hollow under the roadbed with some kind of sound deadening material. Roadbed is only one piece of a much larger and more complex picture.