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ROADBED HELP

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  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Chiloquin, OR
  • 284 posts
Posted by Bob Hayes on Sunday, January 9, 2005 3:55 PM
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
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Along the Murphy Branch
  • 1,410 posts
Posted by dave9999 on Saturday, January 8, 2005 9:18 PM
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
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 8, 2005 8:15 PM
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? [:)]
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, January 8, 2005 12:12 AM
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

Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 7, 2005 10:40 PM
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.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Annpere MI
  • 190 posts
Posted by eng22 on Friday, January 7, 2005 7:15 PM
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.
Craig - Annpere MI, a cool place if you like trains and scrapyards
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: SE Nebraska
  • 249 posts
Posted by camarokid on Friday, January 7, 2005 6:45 PM
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
Ain't it great!!!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 7, 2005 3:56 PM
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
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Friday, January 7, 2005 2:28 PM
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.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 7, 2005 2:25 PM
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
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Eaton, Oh.
  • 11 posts
ROADBED HELP
Posted by RBOLIN2828 on Friday, January 7, 2005 1:59 PM
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.[?]

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