Does anyone use tubular track with Woodland Scenics Track-Bed without ballasting it? If so, pictures would be appreciated. I thinking about going this way on an 8 x 10 layout and I am curious if anyone does it this way and what it looks like.
Thanks.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
The only roadbed that I've tried without ballast is Homabed. Due to its gray color its very similar looking to a ballasted roadbed.
I use Johnson Rubber road bed which snaps onto the bottom of tube rail. If you want to move some track, you can take the road bed off and use it on another like track. I have been using it for at least 10 years.
Al
When you say "tubular track", do you mean tradition Lionel-type O27 or O track? Will your scenics be "traditional" as well?
My layout is all traditional O gauge tubular track with cork roadbed underneath.
It does not look as good as if it was ballasted, but it's OK by me.
Rod
Dennis: How does the Homabed work under turnouts? Is it expensive and where do you buy it?
Al: Do you put Johnson Roadbed under trunouts? Also, I though it was very expensive?
Joe: I am using Lionel o gauge track with 031 curves, with 031 and 072 turnouts. I would like the layout to "be on the fence" with some detail and some Lionel operating accessories.
Rod: I was told that cork roadbed dries out and can be hard wot work with? How long have you had it up and what type did you use?
I used cork roadbed that I stained grey under my tubular (o27) track. I nailed it to the tabletop with an electric brad nailer instead of gluing it down. It has the toylike look I was going for. I also used extra ties from 3r Plastics. Here's a shot of what the end result looks like:
This is about 5 years old. The cork has shrunk a bit, in that you can see an occasional seam, but it's not too bad. Working it around the curves gets a bit tricky with the tighter diameter curves, but the 42" wasn't bad. The 27" curves took a lot more brads to hold it down, as it wanted to buckle in some of those.
The cork I used came from Midwest Products, and was about $1.50 per 3' section IIRC.
J White
Midwest cork and Valspar Manhattan Mist textured paint works like a charm.
Gives that speckled effect just like ballast.
David
I used Forum sponsor Ross Roadbed on my Christmas Layout due to the annual storage of the layout. I painted the roadbed with Fleckstone paint as recommended by other forumites. It looks good considering the abuse it has to go through in set-up and take down. 
I don't see why you can't spray fleckstone paint on the Woodland Scenics Roadbed either.
Rod: I was told that cork roadbed dries out and can be hard wot work with? How long have you had it up and what type did you use?
I have heard that also, but in 14 years I have not had any such problem. I recently reworked an original siding and had to relocate the track and roadbed. No problem at all.
I can't recall the name, but it is commonly available in boxes of 25 x 3 foot lengths; 75 ft per box.
Rod
Just remembered the name; Midwest Cork.
Rod
Al: Do you put Johnson Roadbed under trunouts? Also, I though it was very expensive?
No, I use small mouse pads under the turnouts and then trim them. I have been using them for a long time, 10 years or so. It seems I paid a dollar for a ten inch piece.
Al
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
