Road bed questions

[trains2353]

Here's the Home Depot roadbed tape in place. Went on easier then I though. Had to work a little with the O27 curves, but went down well. I just used 3 strips under the switches. Took one roll to do the whole layout. Sticks well, you can remove it and replace it to fix mistakes. Track not fastened yet, but really quieted it down. Next step; fasten the track. I think I will use the suggested wire or tie wrap method.

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1001/4368153/24783612/413539685.jpg

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1001/4368153/24783612/413539686.jpg

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1001/4368153/24783612/413539687.jpg

 

[trains2353]

Thanks Al; that will work fine!

[BigAl 956]

Found these on Amazon,

 

https://www.amazon.com/Realistic-Railroad-Ties-027-Gauge/dp/B00ULR3N6U

[trains2353]

[quote user="BigAl 956"]

"Rubber roadbed is hard to find but you can still get rubber ties."

Any one still making rubber O27 ties? Not having any luck searching.

[trains2353]

Thanks for all the suggestions!! Lots of good ideas. I went with the CTT suggestion. I have a Home Depot nearby. I like the insulating tape because it is flexable and sticks on the one side. I may do the ballast thing and rubber ties when I figure out how. I got 2 rolls; should be enough to do my little layout. I will try Woodland Scenics when I get around to doing trees.

 

[KRM]

I guess anything will work but you guys have deeper pockets than me. RT made the point on cost, I did the whole upper loop shown and it is 4" wide with two rolls of the mat and a new blade for my tile cutter with the material from Menards. Under $20.00. And if you please you can add ballest to the top. The table that loop is on is 27' long X 12' on one side and 10' on the other.

And BTW it is on sale.

[rtraincollector]

I don't have a layout at present but I believe I would go with the Insulation tape that is shown in CTT. heres the differences. 

Insulation tape 2" wide 30' long and 1/8" thick. 

Woodlandscenic tape 2 1/2" wide 25' long and 3/16" thick 

O gauge track ties 2 1/4" wide so basically no over hang.

I don't know anybody that has a layout of just 25' ( I would bet you could get away with a 4' X 8' sheet ply wood loop with it but that would be it. even so I can't believe 1/16" thicker can make that much of a difference. and 1/2" wider can't be that important 

Price difference 

by the roll 

Woodland $18.99 plus shipping 

Insulation tape $11.53 and you pick it up at home depot while your out shopping 

But even better if you buy a case ( larger layouts ) 12 rolls 360' total it breaks down to $7.94 a roll or $95.28 for the 12 rolls. Woodland for 12 rolls is $277.88 plus your shipping and that would only be 300' To get just 350' you would be over $300 for something you could get for about $100.00

Just some things to consider

[CNJfan]

This is what I used and I am very happy with the look and how much quieter the layout has become.

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/ST1476/page/1

They also have it in sheet form for under switches.

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/OScaleTrackBedSystem

Tim

[KRM]

On my opper level I cut mine out of this from Menards. Worked well I also used O27 track, screwed in place but not screwed down tight so it floats on the rubber and does not transfer the noise to the table.

Performax® 16" x 72" Tool Chest Drawer Liner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a link

 

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/performax-reg-16-x-72-tool-chest-drawer-liner/p-1444436919816-c-9188.htm?tid=6149620735145670148&ipos=53

[BigAl 956]

Rubber roadbed is hard to find but you can still get rubber ties.

[trains2353]

Considering using the idea suggested in the September Classc Toy Trains edition "Tips-Tools-Techniques" on page 66. It suggests using Armaflex insulation tape for your roadbed. Easy to do, looks ok, should quiet things down some. I'm using 027 tube track. Anybody try this idea?

Any other ideas? Wish I could find the old Johnson Rubber Roadbed. Only a few pieces on eBay anymore. Don't know if they are still business.