Does anybody know what happened to the wooden roadbed companies, Campbell and Tru Scale? Last I heard, Tru Scale was being made by another company, but I can't find out which one or if it is still being made.
Those are both long gone. Talked to original owner of Truescale roadbed many years ago and he was surprised that it still had any demand at all, he called it junk compaired to modern items.
When I opened my hobby shop in 1997, Walthers still stocked some select Truescale roadbed components. I ordered some basic pieces for the shop; I received some straight pieces, all the other pieces (curves and turnouts) were backordered. I never received anything else, and I never sold a single piece.
rrebell Those are both long gone. Talked to original owner of Truescale roadbed many years ago and he was surprised that it still had any demand at all, he called it junk compaired to modern items.
And I would still like to know WHY he thought it was junk? Prototype appearance? Performance? Ease of use?
It was without question the highest quality ready to use track of the 50's and 60's, and was also offered in kit form giving a great many modelers an easy introduction into hand laying track.
It performed very well on my first layout, and looked pretty good.
But to answer the OP's question, it is not being produced any longer.
I would recommend homasote roadbed.
www.cwhomaroad.com
Sheldon
I agree with Sheldon. I've found Tru Scale roadbed to be the best base for handlaid track. I just wish I could find what I need. Homasote in any form is out of the question. It doesn't hold spikes well enough to keep the track in guage and has a tendency to swell and warp in moist environments. Been there, done that, regretted the results.
That was just it, in the 50's it was great compaired to most other stuff out there, I talked to him over 15 years ago when I was on another forum. It was a mix of manufacturers forum for our hobby along with others. Did some test building back in those days and met many that had companys, were planing companys, writers and others like Kathy Mallet and Dave Frary to name a few, miss that Forum but the owner was offered a good price for it and everyone said to go for it. Another forum was started but it just wasn't the same.
jward I agree with Sheldon. I've found Tru Scale roadbed to be the best base for handlaid track. I just wish I could find what I need. Homasote in any form is out of the question. It doesn't hold spikes well enough to keep the track in guage and has a tendency to swell and warp in moist environments. Been there, done that, regretted the results.
That's interesting. I have hand layed trackmon homasote with Campbell ties many times with no issues and used homasote under flex track with no issues for some 50 years now. The now nearly 70 year old Severna Park Model Railroad Club layout is all hand layed on homasote with no issues.
I do agree about the virtues of wood roadbed, but never had any issues with homasote.
jward Homasote in any form is out of the question. It doesn't hold spikes well enough.
I have never heard complaints about Homasote's ability to hold a spike.
The opposite seems to be the prevailing opinion.
I have never been able to get Homasote down here. My next layout will be built with it. I brought four sheets back from Indiana.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 jward Homasote in any form is out of the question. It doesn't hold spikes well enough. I have never heard complaints about Homasote's ability to hold a spike. The opposite seems to be the prevailing opinion. I have never been able to get Homasote down here. My next layout will be built with it. I brought four sheets back from Indiana. -Kevin
A few years ago, Trout Creek Engineering had some stocks of Tru Scale plain roadbed. Don't know if they still have it, it's not listed on their web site anymore. Might be worth contacting them.
Fred W
fwright A few years ago, Trout Creek Engineering had some stocks of Tru Scale plain roadbed. Don't know if they still have it, it's not listed on their web site anymore. Might be worth contacting them. Fred W
jward fwright A few years ago, Trout Creek Engineering had some stocks of Tru Scale plain roadbed. Don't know if they still have it, it's not listed on their web site anymore. Might be worth contacting them. Fred W DO you have their web address?
DO you have their web address?
http://www.troutcreekeng.co/
Sheldon: Thanks for the link to Trout Creek. They carry BK Enterprises products. Many years ago I hand laid two modules with BK Enterprises switch kits. I still have a couple of kits, may order some more to match what I have.