Ok, here's a stumbler - I think. I just got back into the hobby after a rather long vacation; now the question - Layout frame work is 1x4 wood frome on 16" centers, I prefer hand laid track & switches ( HO Scale code 83 rail. Seeing I don't really like the preformed road bed and have been used to using cork but it is hard to find around here - what would you use as a subroadbed & roadbed. I think that I should let you know that Homasote isn't available here even at the newly opened Home Depot. I was thinking of using 1" foam, the using 1/8" paneling ( just about the same as luan ), which also isn't available around here, and then maybe drive 300KM oneway to get some 1/8"cork or would this even be necessary. Your comments would be greatly appreciated. JR
I understand your problem. Although I am an N scaler, for me to get cork, it's a six hour round trip drive. But I have also ordered from the Internet. Is this something you'd consider? Certainly there are Canadian shops with web sites? Or possibly worth trying to order from the States? I prefer cork. And although I'll be using foam to build up my scenic base, will still glue down the old fashioned roadbed to my foam. Boxcab E50
JR, I would use 'Homabed' from California Roadbed Company. They have precut roadbed(straight and flexible) that is machined just like the cork roadbed. You can spike to it with no problem. Here is the URL: http://www.homabed.com/ Jim Bernier
Foamcore works well too. In HO I have used the 1/8" stuff. Its a bit louder than coark though, but I never found it objectionable....Mike
Some have used the larger square corks available from arts and crafts store for their cork. There is another material that can be used in lieu of homosote that is a ceiling material, but I have blanked out on the name. I will forward this off to a friend who might know the name of this material. I would tell you to email Pacific Scale Rail, here in Vancouver (actually New Westminster) as a few of the staff have used this on their layout. I'm not sure how good they are at anwering their email but you can give it a try.
Yes, I've heard about using it but how well does it hold spikes when handlaying track? I would think it might be alright as long as a person used a little stronger glus mixture when putting the ballast down. Any opinions?
Jim, Wouldnt it be an option to buy cork from an online store? I'm sure postage wouldnt be too expensive to send?
Rick , its not as good as Homasote. Its a lighter material, and doesent hold spikes as well. It is a good sound deadener though. If you are willing to glue your track down it would work well I think......Mike
