Track base.

[Anonymous]

Hi, again. Been out of action for a year trying to solve our continuous basement flooding.
What track base is best? Rubber, cork, or what.

[eng22]

Roadbed comes in rubber, cork, or homosote. There are advocates for each. Try searching the forum for the numerous opinions that have been disscused at length regarding each.

[joecool1212]

I tried homosote worked good but very messy to cut , got everywhere. Also did'nt like the fact all track was at the same level as surrounding area. One big problem cat thought it was a litter box. Ripped it up and used cork . Very easy to use roadbed is elevated, cuts easy and did'nt fooled the cat. Joe A.

[ATSFCLIFF]

I use good old fashion cork roadbed. It is easy to use with some degree of noise reduction. The bevel cut allows the ballast to slope nicely on the sides.

Cliff

[IRONROOSTER]

I use cork. I have heard of people using wood but I have never tried it. TruScale makes a wooden roadbed, but I always thought it was a little pricey. I have also heard of using lath strips. Cork has always worked well for me.
Enjoy
Paul

[Leon Silverman]

The decision depends on your construction method. Cork will work fine if you want to make the construction permant and glued in place. I f you are going to nail or spike the track in place, homosote or homabed holds the spikes better. Once in place, they will not work their way up like they would in cork. I never used rubber, but I suspect that it would have the same properties as cork.

[Anonymous]

I used to use cork, and switched to the Woodland Scenics foam roadbed for my new layout. It is similar to cork, in that it's better to glue the track down rather than nailing it down. But it has the advantage of being more flexible than cork, so it goes around curves easier. And to my ear it's quieter than cork.

[rexhea]

Cork or Foam roadbed are both excellent in dampening sound,but I have found the Woodland Scenics foam easier to work with and I buy it in 24 foot rolls. Once they are ballasted, the looks are the same.
REX

[Anonymous]

I use cork currently, but, if I make a new layout some day, I think I will use cork sheet that is thinner and without the bevels. I found that the ballast actually spread out a lot more with the bevel, so I want to at least try a small section without the bevels.
Reed

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnnnboy

I use cork currently, but, if I make a new layout some day, I think I will use cork sheet that is thinner and without the bevels. I found that the ballast actually spread out a lot more with the bevel, so I want to at least try a small section without the bevels.
Reed

Lay the cork with the bevel toward the middle . . . the opposite edge is straight!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. The Woodland Scenics rubber bed sounds like it might work out very well.
Checked out the basement during the last heavy rain and it was still dry so we can now plan and get moving on the beginning layout. Expansion when we get an idea of what we're doing.

[eng22]

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Anonymous]

Will do. We have to clear out that section of the basement first. The wet danky smell is now gone and it's dry with a dehumidifier going full time. Now that we know how much space is available my wife is devoting almost full time to desigining a track and scenery layout.
We will post updates. Thanks for the help.

[eng22]

My old house had a wet basement, I feel your pain and know the smell! I never built a layout down there for that reason.