Standard Gauge Rubber Roadbed

Yes it is. 42 and 72. 72 will bend to 84.

I do not think they sell this anymore.

Here's an alternative if you can't find any more of that:

www.hobbyinnovations.com

I ordered samples a year or so ago and liked it. I opted to go without roadbed, but if I were going to use it, this would be it.

Thanks for the idea.

It should be noted that the rubber roadbed formally produced by Mr. Johnson of Torrance, CA is actually a reproduction of actual Lionel prewar standard gauge roadbed. I prefer it since the track simply drops in, and it grips the surface without nails or screws, while providing a reasonable degree of sound deadening. I have used it successfully in 042, 072 and 084 applications on both layouts in my two homes.

My only choice for standard gauge roadbed!

Art,

I was not aware that it was a repro.  I wonder what happened to Mr. Johnson and the business.

If you have any pieces you are no longer using please contact me.

Thanks.

Joe

The original was grey. Only 42 curves. Straights. piece to fit 42 footprint turnout. maybe piece to fit 90 degree crossing.

This stuff is heavy so shipping to Hawaii would be expensive.  

Shipping to Hawaii can get expensive but the USPS flat rate boxes are good for that if it fits.

The originals also included switch and 90 degree crossover sections. There is a photo in Collecting Model Trains by Louis Hertz on page 324. The photo also shows the sections laid out with four switch sections and the 90 degree crossover. The individual sections are also shown including the 45 degree crossover.

Tinplate Art posted:

The originals also included switch and 90 degree crossover sections. There is a photo in Collecting Model Trains by Louis Hertz.

Plus a 45° crossing piece was also available. Catalog numbers were 30 (curve), 31 (straight), 32 (90° crossing), 33 (45° crossing) and 34 (switches, pair). I have samples of all of them, except the #33 which has my efforts to snag one.

Ron M

I'd be interested to see pictures of those.  Why is this stuff so hard to find?

Joe Lyons posted:

I'd be interested to see pictures of those.  Why is this stuff so hard to find?

Other than for trains it is a useless piece of rubber. I doubt they sold much of it because then as in now it would have cost as much as the track. 

I do not think Johnsons sold very much of it. hence,they stopped importing it.

I have personally never seen any of the original gray sections except in photos. My repro straights and 42 and 72 curves from Johnson have held up well over the years. Best to avoid UV (fluorescent) and Sunlight!

Johnson's repro roadbed was manufactured in Malaysia and he did add stabilizers to his products.

With all the interest in repro standard gauge going on right now I am very supprised no one (MTH, USA, etc) has any interest in making any of this stuff.

Frank

I had some linolum left over and I cut out my curves and straights from it and I have almost no noise. About 5/16 thick and you can use marker on the edge.

In later years Mr. Johnson essentially had these sections made BTO. It is interesting that MTH or LCT has not chosen to reproduce this fine product.