Roadbed: New products anyone has tried recently?

@SouthCoastRocco posted:

I know the topic of roadbed has been beaten to death over time, but I am wondering if anyone has recently found or tried new approaches or products that they liked. I don't plan to put a homosote layer on the plywood, but might put something thin on the plywood below the roadbed. I am using gargraves track and Ross switches.

Any ideas appreciated!

As a result of some of those "beaten to death" discussions, I recently ordered and received some very nice foam roadbed from sparks00033 on eBay. I haven't installed it yet, but it seems very nice, somewhat denser and perhaps a bit more sound absorbing than the equivalent WS product, and comes in light gray and black and in several thicknesses and profiles. The batch I ordered was also about a half inch wider, which will either require trimming or the use of a bit more ballast to cover it, eventually. Those who have used it seem satisfied AFAICS. at least per those discussions.

What type of track are you using?
Primarily, for purposes of scenery, I have half inch foam board on top of the plywood. Under my  traditional tubular track I have carpet padding. My centers are 16” which helps curtail the “drum-like “ effect. I’m very pleased with the results. I would suggest doing a search because there are a lot of great ideas.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

What type of track are you using?
Primarily, for purposes of scenery, I have half inch foam board on top of the plywood. Under my  traditional tubular track I have carpet padding. My centers are 16” which helps curtail the “drum-like “ effect. I’m very pleased with the results. I would suggest doing a search because there are a lot of great ideas.

On my auxiliary layout, I have half-inch foamboard over half inch OSB, covered with a paper-backed grass mat and tubular 3-rail O-27 profile track in 42 inch diameter (with some 27 in. dia. on siding). I haven't yet installed the roadbed I described above, but the sound is not too bad even without it. I have carved divots out of the foam and grass to partially recess the animation pieces, some of which came with unrealistically thick bases. Much work yet to do, but getting there . . .

I agree with Steve on the foam roadbed from Ebay. I just used it on my reconfigured track plan and it is great for sound absorption.

Thank you all for the great input. I ordered samples from sparks00033 to try.

The tightest curve on my gargraves track is O42ish. Has anyone who used his product been able to make it work without kerfing(?)

Steve - do you know the brand of foam board you used? Is it unfaced?

Thanks again.

@SouthCoastRocco posted:

Steve - do you know the brand of foam board you used? Is it unfaced?

Actually, I ended up with aluminum-foil-faced styrofoam, as it was the only half-inch foam board that this particular Home Depot had in stock. I was really looking for the pink/blue/green colored higher-density foam board like I'd used on my main layout, but couldn't find it in the store I went to, and was too lazy that day to shop elsewhere! So far, it's worked out well, but I do recommend the unfaced higher density foam board, if available.

Thanks, Steve. I will check out both.

Not a new product or idea at all, but I recently purchased a few lengths of the cork roadbed made by a leading supplier to find out inventories are tight due to issues with cork trees at the source.  Yet another interesting challenge in 2024   Several usual retailers were out of stock and finally located the few pieces needed...always been satisfied with the simple application and performance of cork roadbed...

You can cut the vinyl roadbed down the center and when you lay it for curves it will remain mostly flat. If you don't cut it, it will buckle up when placed in a curve.

I nail mine to the plywood.  I did buy some recently from sparks00033.

I used neoprene foam from grainger  420c44 Item ID.  Flame resistent.    It does need to be cut for curves.