Woodland Scenics Track Bed, is it worh it?

[schom]

I am looking at Woodland Scenics Track Bed, wondering if its worth it? 

[Dave Vollmer]

Yes, I use it.  Only problem I've had is it's too soft for superelevated curves; the "sponginess" tends to absorb the shims and cause an uneven bank.  I had a heck of a time bringing my bank to .020" on the outside rail.  If you're not banking your curves, go for it.  If you are, you could use the WS stuff on the straights and cork on the curves.

[trainfreek92]

I used it and hatd it. But I hate roadbed period. Its my least favorite part of the hobby. On my N scales extension I plan to cover the hole table with sheet cork.  Tim

[brothaslide]

I started using it with my layout.  I like the fact that it is simple to install and is forgiving if you make slight mistakes.

I forgot to mention (or ask) - Where in the world do you get pink or blue foam.  I've been to Home Depot and Lowe's and both don't carry it.

Any help would be appreciated.

You can check my progress on my blog:  http://trainstuff.blogspot.com/

[nbrodar]

I use it.  I like that it comes in 24' rolls.  It's very easy yo put down, and is very forgiving of mistakes. It works no better then cork though.  And once you ballast the track it's no quieter. 

Nick

[grayfox1119]

Brothaslide: Pink or Blue insulation foam will be very hard to find in California because you are not in a winter climate zone, Home Depot and Lowes' et al will not carry it. You will need to go up north or into the mountain states surrounding CA to get some. Or, if you have any relatives or friends driving out to see you, have them bring some for you. Of course if you knew any long haul truck drivers, many times they might be coming back to CA empty and could bring enough back for you and more to sell to others in CA .

[skiloff]

I used it on my first HO layout and all things being equal, I'd go back to cork. I like that cork is thicker to give you more elevation, and as dave v. mentioned, its pretty soft to do superelevation. It is easy to use, though.

[MisterBeasley]

I've used it exclusively this time around, and I really like it.  It's a bit lower profile than cork.  I think it's easier to work with, and once it's ballasted I think it comes out very well.  I use 2-inch pink foam, so I glue all the parts together.  I use Liquid Nails for Projects for everything.  It holds well, but I can still separate things if I have to, and re-use the track with no problem.

[dave hikel]

I'm in the cork camp.  The WS roadbed is too soft for my taste.  It is easy to work with, but it allows more track movement than I like.  I build layouts fulltime, so I tend to want things extra sturdy and reliable baecause a lot of the layouts are built in my shop and transported to the customer.  For HO track laying I usually use a wood base, homasote sub-roadbed, cork roadbed, and screw the track down with blacked #2 phillips head screws.  I rely on the homasote to do most of the sound deadening.

BTW, I never would have thought you couldn't get foam at HD or Lowe's, but I suppose it makes sense in California.  The foam is often used under the concrete floors in commercial refridgeration or radiant floor heating, even in southern states.  You might check with a concrete contractor in your area to see if they have a source.  Good Luck.

[brothaslide]

I found out that Owens Corning makes the pink foam called, "Foamular"

http://www.owenscorning.com/around/insulation/products/foamular.asp

It looks like I can order it from home depot.

[Anonymous]

Just finishing up a new freightyard and used woodlands scenic as it was available at a local shop, first time I've used it and it's  not too bad at all, however, there is all kinds of pink, blue and white foam up here, from 1/4 to 2" thick and up to 4 x 8 sheets

[ac4400fan]

Im just too old fashioned, I will stick with cork ! It still gives the best results. And ive herd horror storys about how much it shrinks and comepresses ,

Carl.

[rrinker]

  The WS foam isn't going to shrink I dunno where you heard that. Cork, on the other hand, when it dries out...  but the funny thing about that is I have some cork that has to be 40 years old, that is still nice and soft and flexible. Other stuff that I purchased in the past 10 years in dried and stiff and snaps when trying to bend.
 I'm using WS foam now, works great. The long strips makes for fewer joints and less trouble, and it's easier to cut that cork to fit around turnouts. I've had no problems putting shims around the outside of my curves for superelevation, and it doesn't squish down. The variety of sections comes in handy too - I used the large sheets under my yard instead of running individual strips. I also used their N scale stuff under sidings to drop them lower than the main line.

                                       --Randy

[csmith9474]

I have never personally worked with it, but I watched two guys lay it down one night. They were using a can of 3M spray adhesive (can't recall the proper name for the stuff), and it seemed to go down really quick and easy using that method. One person would spray directly to the plywood, and the other would follow behind with the roll of WS roadbed. There was some time to work with it before the 3M stuff set up, too. I don't know how the aerosol adhesive would work with the pink or blue insulating foam sheets. I would also highly recommend using a mask while spraying this stuff, and cover up anything that you don't want it on.

[rrinker]

 I use foam insulation board so I used latex caulk - worked about as fast as you describe the guys with the spray adhesive. (every time someone talks about spray adhesives, I can't help but think "This is glue....strong stuff!")  I poke a hole in the caulk nozzle that is little more than a pinhole. Big enough to stick a piece of #20 wire through to pierce the foil inside, that's it. One thin lin downt he ceterline, then spread it with a putty knife, then roll out the roadbed on top. Plenty of working time, but it's sticky enough to hold in place right from the start. On curves or at seams I'll stick some pins in it to hold position. Same with the track overtop that.

                                        --Randy