roll of cork

[irocinblue89]

Where is the best place to get a roll of cork for my roadbed? If it has been asked my search did not find it. I think I will have to much track to justify buying it in "precut" pieces.

Thanks,
Seann

 

[UP2CSX]

You don't really need a roll of cork. You can get cork squares cheaper at http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/426061/Quartet-Cork-Wall-Tiles-12-x/. OTOH, I don't think is the cheapest way to go, in any case. You can get a case of 36 2' sections of Woodland Scenics foam roadbed for only $21.39 at http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/woo/woost1461.htm. That's 72 feet of roadbed. I like it a lot better than cork. Easier to lay down, makes curves with less work, has a nice ballast shoulder, and never gets dry or crumbles up. I don't know how big your planned layout is but 72 actual feet is a lot of track.

 

[irocinblue89]

Thanks for the info! I am working on the layout design right now. The room is 27' x 14'6". I have never had a big layout and want to do it right not twice

 

[DaWolf85]

You don't really need a roll of cork. You can get cork squares cheaper at http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/426061/Quartet-Cork-Wall-Tiles-12-x/. OTOH, I don't think is the cheapest way to go, in any case. You can get a case of 36 2' sections of Woodland Scenics foam roadbed for only $21.39 at http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/woo/woost1461.htm. That's 72 feet of roadbed. I like it a lot better than cork. Easier to lay down, makes curves with less work, has a nice ballast shoulder, and never gets dry or crumbles up. I don't know how big your planned layout is but 72 actual feet is a lot of track.

nice, 72 feet is my planned mainline run exactly

 

[Beachbum]

If you really want cork rolls, you can find it them at any large hardware store. Check where they have bulletin and white boards or where they have shelf liners - the stuff you put in the bottom of the drawers in your kitchen.

Menards for one carries black rubber shelf liner rolls that have about the same feel as the WS foam roadbed. But it's not beveled on the edges and you'd have to cut strips. Not sure how the price compares to WS out of the box.

 

[kenw]

for me, the advantage of cork roadbed is the beveled edge that defines the ballast contour. Roll cork isn't going to have this bevel, and as mentioned, cork dries over time and becomes a great sound transmitter! (don't ask how i know...). That said, advantage- WS.

I highly recommend the Woodland Scenics, even tho I haven't used it personally; 150' of main nixed that expense in the bud..... For economy, you don't need the WS roadbed under sidings, in the yards, etc so that saves a lot of $$.

The roll cork I've seen is very thin, like 1/16 or maybe 1/8, so the visual effect is minimal. You can get it at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, as well as Home Depot, Lowe's. Cork roadbed is closer to 1/4 thick.

 

[CBCNSfan]

Gee must have missed this one in all the excitement. I buy my cork at a local lumber and hardware store (kind of like a home depot store) The rolls are about 3 ft wide and you couldn't use a whole roll. They'll cut lengths off the bulk roll, I usually buy it in 2 ft pieces.
I made a crude jig where I cut it into strips 2 ft long and 1/2 the width of the ties. (conforms to the curves much better) When ballasting I just build up to the straight cut edge do most of the forming while the glue is still wet.

Note: Sometimes the rolls of cork stock are of a different thickness, best to buy enough cork from the same roll.

Cheers
Willis