AMI Instant roadbed

[skerber]

Hello,

I would like some opinons on the AMI Instant Roadbed. Does the stuff work well? Does track stick to it well? Is it better than cork? Does it stand the test of time?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I have been working on a new layout. I, at first thought I would use Woodland Scenics roadbed. When I went to my LHS they were out. The salesman at the store said try this. It was AMI instant roadbed. I asked him if it was any good. He replied that he used it on his own layout. I bought a box for around $20.00. I was very happy with the way it worked. I found it easier to use than cork. If I needed it higher for main lines I just cut a one inch strip of cardboard and put it under it. I believe that Terminal Hobby Shop has it on sale for $ 15.00 sometimes. I would use it again and from now on.

[skerber]

Thanks!

[DSchmitt]

I have not actually used it, but have played with it on a 1 sq ft board. I built a short section of roadbed with track, and simulated a wooden grade xing using it as shown on the box.

I am planning to use it on an O scale switching layout. I built

[dave9999]

Skerber,
I have tried cork, WS foam, and AMI instant roadbed. I decided to use the AMI on my
current layout and I am happy with the results. You can see some pics here:
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=87&subpageid=127136&ck=

[krdorsey]

Hi,

I'm currently building a layout with extruded foam benchwork. I'm encountering a problem with AMI roadbed over foam. Blisters are developing under the roadbed. I think painting the foam prior to the application of the roadbed may be the solution, but I'm still proving this theory out.

Besides this problem, I find the material easy to work with. Applying ballast is MUCH easier with this stuff as the base. I don't use any additional adhesives on straight sections of track. On superelevated curves, where the ballast will be thicker under the outer rail, I'm applying glue/water.

Later!

[der5997]

I'm using AMI over extruded foam and haven't noticed any blisters. The stuff sticks to the foam so well that in places where I have had to re-position, the foam has torn away in little chunks, sticking to the AMI! I have some caveats .
1) If you replace ties at places where they have been removed (joins in flex track, turnouts etc.) the ties are difficult to slide in under the rail, because they stick to the AMI. Cut a thin strip of the backing paper and use this between the tie and the AMI. Slide the strip out when the tie is in place, and fine tune the placement with a suitable hand tool (needle file for instance.)

2) Keep AMI away from anything like the drill bit you are using to bore holes for wiring. The stuff loves to wrap itsself around rotating objects! Have a knife handy to cut the AMI away. Everything cleans up in Goo Gone or similar. The situation is avoided by cutting out a gap in the AMI before drilling. (Again, clean up of the knife is Goo Gone)
Why come so close to the AMI for the wiring holes? Because when you are done, you can cover the wires with the AMI for an almost invisible join.

3) I've been told that the throw bar of turnouts can hang up on the AMI roadbed. Consequently I have left a gap at the trowbar of all my turnouts, These are Peco, and the gap isn't very noticable once the ends are filled in with small pieces of AMI, kept out of the way of the throwbar.

4) This stuff is streachy. So, if you have to re-position, be prepared to deal with a reduction in thickness caused by the increase in length.

I'm waiting for my LHS to come up with a real stone N scale ballast in order to test the ballast sticking properties of AMI. I've been warned off Woodland Scenics ballast in general. Has anyone ballasted with WS ballast on AMI? If so, how did it go?

[skerber]

Thank you everyone for your responses!