ROADBED HELP

[RBOLIN2828]

WHAT ARE THE PROS & CONS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROADBED?
THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM. CORK, FOAM, RUBBER, AMI INSTANT, AND NOW I JUST SPOTTED SOMTHING CALLED HOMABED.[?]

[Anonymous]

Don't need to shout. Not sure, but I am going to use cork, because it comes in a good size peice, in strips 3 feet long and maybe 4 to 5 cm wide. I think it mostly comes down to what you choose.

Clear signal, Notch 8, here we go!
Morgan

[simon1966]

I chose cork. Easy to work with, priced well at the LHS and what everyone near me uses. I have been satisfied with the results so far.

[Anonymous]

I have used cardboard, homosote, cork, and that real thin (1/4) pink foam insulation roll in the past. I have been very pleased with cork. It provides great sound deadening quality. Cardboard, I would use again but only in industrial areas, It doesnt provide the sound deadening quality as cork. Homosote, Not for me. The pink insulation stuff was ok my big complaint with that was its not very rigid.
just my 2 cents
Jeff

[camarokid]

Most of us use cork or the new stuff from Woodland Scenics. Cork is 3' long and the Woodland Scenics is 2' long. Both offer quality sound deading, which is what we strive for on our railroads. If or when you decide to use DCC you will notice how much quieter it is than DC. You can even hear the wheels click on the rail joints! Just some notes from an old timer. Have fun in your pursuit of your layout.
Archie

[eng22]

RBOLIN,

I used homabed, by California raodbeds. I chose them because I liked the fact that they had a mainline and branchline height difference. They have a 30 degree bevel that makes for easy ballasting. They also offered transition pieces that go from one height to the other. It was easy to work with and looks great.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by camarokid

Most of us use cork or the new stuff from Woodland Scenics. Cork is 3' long and the Woodland Scenics is 2' long.

Actually, the WS roadbed comes in 3' long pieces (for HO at least, and I'm pretty sure 0 and N as well). Better yet, the WS roadbed is available in 24' long rolls, which makes it pretty easy to lay out long and smooth continuous stretches of mainline.

[rrinker]

No, the WS HO is 2' sections. Odd, but that's the way they made it. One of their 12 packs then, naturally has the same 24' of roadbed that the big coil in a box has. I use the 24' long sections as much as possible, fewer joints = smoother trackwork. I do tend to cut off the last foor or so (center of the coil) as packing it in that box tends to make the last foot or so scrunched up, narrow, and otherwise deformed in shape. Makes good filler pieces in some places.
As luck would have it, I need a couple more 2' sections to fini***he roadbed for my second main, and the LHS was all out of all forms of the HO roadbed EXCEPT the big sheets. Maybe this week they'll get their stock replenished.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Yup, you're right -- they're 2'. I was at my LHS today and looked at them. Surprised me, 'cause I could have sworn they were 3'. [B)]

You can tell I primarily use the rolls, too, eh? [:)]

[dave9999]

Ok, since no one else did, I'll make a case for AMI. I have used cork, WS foam, and AMI. They all have
their qualities. The AMI is a little easier to work with. It is self adhesive... roadbed to layout, track to
roadbed, and ballast to roadbed. If you make a mistake, heat it up with the wife's blow dryer and your
right back in the game.

It can also be painted, used for roads, sidewalks, and grade crossings. If it become stiff in the box,
a few minutes in the oven on low and it's as good as new. Good luck Dave

[Bob Hayes]

I just did a test section using foam carpet pad, the kind made from ground up foam. Really deadens the noise, and it's cheep. The stuff is 1/2" thick, and should go around 24" radius curves with no problem.
Bob Hayes