I have used Homabed for years now and love it. I nail it down with a pneumatic brad nailer and then attach the track with adheasive caulk. Turnouts are left unglued with just a track nail or two.
Sheldon
Allegheny2-6-6-6 I wasn't aware that the guy in California wasn't the original manufacturer.
I wasn't aware that the guy in California wasn't the original manufacturer.
Well, you probably weren't an active model railroader in the 1970s and 80s.
Mark
Allegheny2-6-6-6 What methods di you guys use for securing it to you sub roadbed?
What methods di you guys use for securing it to you sub roadbed?
White or yellow wood glue works great, with strategically-placed short finishing nails to assure alignment nailed into the Homabed.
I know all too well the joys of working with Homasote, homabed is a product made by California roadbed which by all accounts is consistent and smooth as a baby's butt. I wasn't aware that the guy in California wasn't the original manufacturer. What methods di you guys use for securing it to you sub roadbed?
I had planned on using it on top of homasote which is glued to spline subroadbed, I was thinking of gluing it in place with straight white glue.
Having used both regular Homasote and cork roadbed on a least 2 layouts each, I will never go back to cork. 3 separate batches of cork dried out and crumbled on me, and some other cases did so on my father's layout. Admittedly, it took 5-10 years for the cork to disintegrate. One case dried out right in the box I bought it in after being stored for 8 years. After laying, cork needs to be sanded to remove ridges and high spots, especially around turnouts.
Homasote is a far better material for hand laying track. And I never had expansion/contraction problems that some have reported. I never sealed it, either, while moving the first layout with Homasote through a wide variety of climates and humidity situations. Sheet Homasote is messy to cut - a plain knife or knife blade in a jig saw produces the least dust.
my experiences, your choices
Fred W
I wouldn't use anything but Homabed, particularly since I handlay track. I do recommend it be painted after installation to seal it, but I know a fellow that never did and didn't have a problem with moisture (in central California). My experience is with the stuff made by the original manufacturer. I presume the product put out by the current manufacturer in California is equal or superior to the original product.
For a large expanse like a good-sized yard, you may want to purchase 4 by 8 sheets of homasote from a building supply outlet to save money, but the product won't be as uniform.
I have used it and like it better than cork. Personal preference. Plus I think it holds spikes better than cork.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Getting ready soon to start laying the new double track main and I am thinking about using Homabed instead of cork for roadbed. Any thoughts on using it as opposed to cork. From what I have been told it's definitely quieter then cork and some say cork drys out and cracks over time fortunately haven't had that happen but I guess it can.