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Roadbed dimensions

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: florida
  • 276 posts
Roadbed dimensions
Posted by subman on Sunday, March 29, 2020 11:13 PM

Could someone please tell me the top and bottom dimensions of HO roadbed with a 45 degree slope? I think that Midwest has different dimensions than Homabed. I know the height is different.

Bob D

Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, March 30, 2020 2:01 AM

Midwest Cork Roadbed:

Thickness: 0.195"

Top Width: 1.565"

Bottom Width: 1.900"

It looks like a nominal 45 degree angle on the bevel.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: florida
  • 276 posts
Posted by subman on Monday, March 30, 2020 2:52 AM

Thanks Kevin. I am thinking that homabed is 2.4 inches thick but don`t know the bottom or top width. When I scrapped my garage layout that went in the dumpster. I am going to use easy mat on the new one after I see if it holds spikes and if not back to homasote or 1/4" thick cork. I will make the roadbed as I have the tools and will need a lot less for this lsyout

Bob D

Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, March 30, 2020 12:57 PM

Bob,

After a good bit of experimentation I have decided I am going to use 1/2" Homasote for roadbed on my next layout, with no additional cork roadbed material. I will cut the homasote to 45 degrees with a saber saw.

I like the way this turned out.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: florida
  • 276 posts
Posted by subman on Monday, March 30, 2020 2:59 PM

Kevin I see you handlay your track. Isn`t 1/2" homasote a little high? I used California roadbeds homasote on my last layout and covered the layout on top of the 1/2" plywood with 1/2" homasote also. I did not use roadbed in my large yard and industrial sidings just the homasote to nail to. I would use it on this one but don`t look forward to all the mess making it as no one makes it anymore.

Is there anyone out there who knows the top and bottom dimensions on the homabed with 45 degree shoulders? I know the thickness.

On my original post I meant .24" thick not 2.4",

Bob D

Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, March 30, 2020 4:07 PM

subman
Kevin I see you handlay your track. Isn`t 1/2" homasote a little high?

I do not handlay track, but I do paint each individual tie. I chose the colors poorly for this segment. In the past I have used darker ballast, but with lighter ballast, the starker differences in tie color are too pronounced. Another lesson learned.

The 1/2" is quite thick, but the thickness of the plaster scenery base takes most of that away, and in the end it came out perfect.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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