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How do I raise buildings to match elevated cork underlay?

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  • Member since
    July 2017
  • 31 posts
Posted by Paul280981 on Monday, July 24, 2017 4:25 PM

Thankyou to everyone for your helpSmile I'm only running an 8x4 and my sidings require the trains to back up into them, but the idea of dropping the rails down will work perfectly on my longer one of the two Where I'm planning on placing the sugar refining kit from Walthers.

the pictures really help a new comer to the hobby like me. I've tried to plan this out so I dont just jump in.

lifting the buildings with cork seems like it will work too. Thankfully cork is fairly cheap here in Australia! I can paint the cork base and after placing my goods yard on it bring the gravel up to the base and weather it in.

its a long way down the track for me but just trying to get over these hurdles before diving in!!

  • Member since
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  • From: Heart of Georgia
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Posted by Doughless on Monday, July 24, 2017 3:02 PM

I've seen Walmart stock 12 x12 3/16 inch cork tiles in 5 pack bundles.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
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Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, July 24, 2017 1:41 PM

Hello all,

Check out this thread:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/264028.aspx

Another option is to "lower" the trackage along the goods yard station as the prototypical sometimes does.

To do this simply sand or plane down the cork roadbed to provide a transition.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, July 24, 2017 12:12 PM

For stations, I use 1/4" or stacked 1/8" Masonite, leftovers from making the layout fascia, to raise the platforms.  With code 83 rail on Central Valley ties, it puts the top of the platform level with the head of the rail, so no tripping hazard for the LPBs if they need to cross the track to an appropriate platform (the crossover walkways are not yet in place)...

For industries on their own sidings, though, it's better to bring the track down to the same level as the surface on which the industries are placed. 
Once past the turnout, the cork for the industrial track can be easily tapered down to "ground level" using coarse sandpaper.  The example shown below is quite short, but causes no difficulties with derailments or unwanted uncouplings, since the longest cars that would see use on it are 50'-ers....

If you're running autoracks or similarly long cars, though, it would be wise to make the transition more gradual.

Wayne

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, July 24, 2017 10:44 AM

I agree with Mister Beasley!  I over bought cork roadbed when I was laying my track, I still have a lot left 25 years later.
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
             
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, July 24, 2017 10:30 AM

I model in HO scale, so I find that 3/16 white foam board from a craft store works perfectly for this.  It's a lot cheaper than using cork or roadbed foam under structures.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, July 24, 2017 9:54 AM

I went with the same cork roadbed for my station base, at the time it was the easiest way to go for me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
             
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
 
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Monday, July 24, 2017 8:06 AM

That will work. 

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    July 2017
  • 31 posts
How do I raise buildings to match elevated cork underlay?
Posted by Paul280981 on Monday, July 24, 2017 5:56 AM

Hello,

now that I've completed my railway design and gathering up track, I'd like to use cork underlay to elevate the track for realism and also for quieter running.

My fairly newie question is how do I raise my goods yard station to match the raised road bed? It is as simple as placing extra cork underneath the station with minimal overhang to raise the buildings up, or is there another technique that I can use?

I did a search of the whole internet but found very little information on the subject.

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