Need some tips on cutting cork rail bed

[loathar]

If your using MidWest HO cork, you can go to Wal Mart in the office supply section. They sell packs of cork tiles (12"x12") that work perfect for making your own switch pads. A lot cheaper than buying pre-cut ones too. I just lay a turnout on a square, trace out the pattern I want and cut it with a razor knife. I use around 200 grit sandpaper to sand the shoulders smooth. The cork is the exact thickness of the MidWest roadbed.(5mm?)

[cudaken]

Thanks for the time to answer Don. Pretty much what I have been doing. I did learn that I could buy the cork all ready cut in the shape of the turn out.

             Cuda Ken

[Don Z]

Ken,

When I am installing my cork and come to a turnout, I place the cork so one side follows the outside straight leg, and the other side of the cork follows the outside diverging leg. I then fill into the "V" created by the first pieces of cork, usually cutting in the other half of the diverging leg and then finally the other half of the straight leg. Overlap the previous piece and trace a line with a sharpie to form your cut line. If it's not a great fit; no big deal. It will all be covered with ballast. I'll try to find a photo of my cork over the weekend.

EDIT: I found this link to show you what I was talking about. Look at photos 9, 10 and 11.

http://books.google.com/books?id=9JghMSZG6AQC&pg=PA17&lpg=PA17&dq=cutting+cork+for+turnouts&source=web&ots=ZiwUBUvjPR&sig=QgMMgcwnSQD_IkpVxKysHcJgh48#PPA17,M1

 

I also use latex caulk spread thin to glue my track to my cork. I use pushpins to hold the track in place and after 30 minutes or so, the caulk is dry enough to remove the pins.

Don Z.

[cudaken]

 I finaly have a plain that I will post later and started laying road bed and rails today!Till this point all my rails are laied on out door carpet and plywood. Works well now but not the look I was looking for.

 New bench as 1 3/4 foam on top of the plywood base. Laying the cork in it self is easy till I need to install a turn out? Any tips? On the hidden stagging yard I used 6" wide cork so there was no problem.

 On one passing lane I flipped turn out section of cork up side down so the beleved edge would mate to the main line. It worked better than cutting the edges off but still took some time.

 Another question is mounting the rails them self. For now I am using spikes but with out hitting wood they seem to have a weak holding power. I know when I add blast that will help holding the track in places but that will be the last thing I do. I think I remember that cauking will work and will do tear up the track if I want to change the bench layout. Is that correct and if it is do I use it just in spots like spikes or all the way down the rails?

 I will add I was wondering about the use of #4 turn outs in the hidden staging. Found the question before I asked and happy to report that a 70' hopper will make the turns with no problems.

      Cuda Ken Buliding Again