How To Lay Ho Scale Cork Roadbed

To install the roadbed josh uses cork.

How to lay ho scale cork roadbed. Plywood foam hardboard etc. Amazon mystery link of the day http amzn to 2khachp easy way to install model railroad cork roadbed fast and quickly. This center line will act as your guide for where to place your cork sections. To begin laying down the roadbed josh collects wood glue a ruler a sharpie thumb tacks an exacto knife to cut the cork a file to file down the cork and of course the cork.

The short answer is that cork is not essential you can certainly lay your track directly on the plywood. The first step is to establish a center line for your track by marking your cork subroadbed. I am assuming that you are using the 3 lengths of ho cork roadbed that can be split down the middle and then set up on the sub roadbed e g. This method of installing cork roadbe.

For the ho scale track he will use code 83 and code 70 track though the track is really up to you. You may proceed with the installation process once you finish these two basic steps. You need to draw the center line for your rail lines in the area where you are laying your roadbed. The second step is to ensure the surface is clear of all bumps and lumps to provide the roadbed with a smooth base.

As discussed in another of josh s model railroad academy videos sturdy benchwork will be a good foundation for the track and roadbed. Raise the resolution to hd 720 or 1080 and increase the picture size. Do this in 3 sections at a time. If this is the case i typically will scribe with a pencil the track alignments and curves onto the sub roadbed first to make the centerline marks.

However you should make an effort to make sure the plywood is truly smooth and flat where the track will go. Our hon3 modular group assumes 1 8 thick roadbed and most typically dirt ballast.