I am going to install a Walthers HO turntable in my yard. My original plan was to use cork roadbed sheets on the entire yard. As I drilled out the hole and mounting holes for the turntable, I am now unsure if I should mount straight to plywood or install the cork sheets. If I use cork, I assume that all the lead in tracks and the buidlings would also be on top of the cork. Should sound considerations be important? I have seen posts from a few years ago but arguments were made for both options.
Here is my thread on this exact topic. I ended up going with a strip of cork with the beveled edge facing the pit around the entire circumference, works pretty well.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/229926.aspx
^that right there is why computer make me angry.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I have installed the 130' turntable also using a strip of cork roadbed around the edge. All future track and buildings will be on a cork roadbed base. I use code 100 brass track on my layout (been laid for 25+ years). I will use a transition track to go to code 83 track in roundhouse and garden tracks from the lead in track. Painted roadbed a concrete color and it made a nice installation. Enjoy!
I presume you're using cork under track elsewhere on the layout? In that case, there's two choices. Go right up to the TT with it. Or make the transition well back from the TT. You want locos level as they get on or off, so the transition should be back at least the wheelbase of the longest loco you plan for.
For my Diamond Scale TT, I tapered cork on my belt sander for the approach tracks, but track is right on the plywood for the last 18" or so.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
The turntable and the track should be on the same surface. The lip around the turntable is approximately the same thickness as the ties on track.
Bill