Roadbed Question

[Anonymous]

Is there any trick to putting roadbed around corners of the track? I am in the process of building my first layout, and the roadbed all comes in strips which work fine on straight track sections. But what about if I am doing a turn like a half circle. This stuff doesnt bend so well. What am I missing here? Its making me nuts. Thanks again guys.

[rrinker]

What roadbed are you using? If it's cork, you separate it into two halves so the beveled side is out, and it curve easily. The Woodland Scenics foam roadbed I've found curves very neatly also, with no cutting it apart. How are you fastening it down? I use latex adhesive caulk so there is a tacky surface along the entire roadbed path, I just press it down lightly and it sticks in place as I form it around curves. I stick pushpins in every so often to hold it until the caulk dries.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Thanks Randy...I am using WS roadbed with elmers. Thats probable the issue. I will try the caulk. The main problem is that the RB keeps binding up around the curves. I will try your suggestions. You are the man.

[rrinker]

How sharp of a curve are you trying to make? You didn't say HO or N scale (or O), but the WS roadbed comes with a slit in the center that you can cut through to make two pieces for really tight curves. On the N scale stuff it's on the bottom, on the HO it's on the top. For 18" radius, you may have to slit it to get it to go smoothly. I've put soem down on about a 24" radius withotu slitting it - it really helps to have it held in place somehow. You can use pushpins and the Elmer's glue, but since it isn't tacky right away it's hard to form into place. That's why I like the caulk. On my wider mainline curves, I don't even need to pin it in place, the caulk holds it to shape. It goes VERY fast, too, if you have enough lines drawn and have enough material, you can EASILY put down 100 feet of this stuff in an evening.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

R--I am using n scale. The slit in the back should help. Thanks. The tightest curve is a 10inch radius.

[northern_blues]

That's good to know about the slits in the roadbed, Randy. I was thinking about getting the WS roadbed as I've heard some good things about it and I'm about three weeks away from putting roadbed down.

Timely.

Thanks,
-Dave