Roadbed question

[ThorCo34]

I'm looking to build just a small 2'X8" layout right now to get my feet wet, and I need to decide what to use for roadbed. I know about the pro's and con's of cork and WS foam, but the two I was most interested in are some using some Truck Cap liner foam and this EZTrackBed. The EZTrackBed really intrigues me because I can't afford to get too messy where I'm working, and ballasting scares me haha. However, I can't find any reviews or anything on it. I was wondering if anybody had used it or had another idea.

Thanks!

[Selector]

You'd have to cost them all out, but I used an eco rubberized cork underlay that Home Depot sells in some markets. It is a tan, sort of light butterscoth colour that comes in a roll of about 20 feet. It is easiliy cut with scissors into strips, and you can cut kerfs into it where you want it to curve. It has a poly layer below it that is bonded and not separable. I used Alex Plus with silicone by DAP as the adhesive.

[TheGloriousTachikoma]

I've used the EZTrackBed before as a lower-base roadbed for sidings (where the main used good'ol cork). It works, I just have to say, keep a hairdryer or a heat gun handy. The stuff is a bit firm to work even at room temperature, but give it some warmth and it gets really soft. presses right onto the plywood/foam and takes the track nicely. You just have to remember that it loves to separate ties from rail if you make a mistake with your tracklaying, and that as sticky as it is, you'll need to keep a few thin strips of it's backing handy to put under the throwbars of turnouts.

But that aside it's decent. About 1/2-2/3 the height of cork, IIRC.

[psychobeagle12]

I've used the truck cap foam before. It works pretty well but it isn't as stiff as the regular woodland scenics foam and so it gives some when you put your track down if you tack it. If you plan to use an adhesive for your rails then no problem. I used tacks AND adhesive so I got squished roadbed in places but the stuff gives good noise reduction and the rails really stay in place with it. It is very sticky on its own so make sure you have it in place the FIRST time you lay it w/ no backing on it! The top part isn't sticky though so you won't have any rail issues that way.

[D&J RailRoad]

When you're glueing track down, it might not be a good idea to tack or pin it down. This will produce dips in the track the will cause the couplers to slip apart. Instead of tacking, use short 2x4s, about 12 -18" long with weights on top of them to spread the hold down point out along a longer stretch of track. This will produce a more level track, even if the cork roadbed or whatever else you're using has minor undulations.