Do you all prefer AMI Instant Roadbed or Cork Roadbed?
- Thread starter vanda32547
- Start date
I prefer cork roadbed as I haven't used anything else yet. Cork is easy to work with. I have know idea what AMI is like.
Cork is cheaper but AMI is better. It's easier to work with and deadens sound far better. However I model mostly going broke shortlines with the track down in the dirt so I only use it on the interchanges.
What's it like Mike? like a putty or sumpthin'? I can't immagine it being much easier than cork, but I'll take your word for it. Just wonderin' never seen it.
None! I prefer to lay my track track directly on Homasote.You see Industrial switching areas has very little roadbed like you see on main lines.This can apply to my other favorite type of layout a poorly maintain branch line. 
Now if I need road bed then I will go with the cork..
Now if I need road bed then I will go with the cork.....depends on what kind of scene you're attempting to duplicate, I use cork to replicate modern mainline high iron, where you see regularly maintained high shouldered ballast with not a weed in sight. For industrial areas where the track is surrounded by roads and accessways I just apply the track directly to the homasote or working surface and ballast it accordingly.
...to really give something a secondery or semi abandoned look, use code 70 track, remove some of the ties, and ballast it and apply 'weeds' so you can hardly see the track above the 'crud'...this looks quite effective if done right.
Lorne Miller
...to really give something a secondery or semi abandoned look, use code 70 track, remove some of the ties, and ballast it and apply 'weeds' so you can hardly see the track above the 'crud'...this looks quite effective if done right.
Lorne Miller
Jon the AMI is a rubber type compound, comes on a roll 30 ft. for the n-scale. Is self adhesive on both sides and can be bent both left or right and up or down at the same time and with very little effort will lay smoothly. I've not used the WS so can't comment on that. The cork I still had on hand I've used for highways.
Homasote. Cork is for wine. Which I've had a bit of. Just being silly! (But true!) Haven't used cork in years. I do use Homabed, homasote cut into roadbed like cork. Why? Because I like the option of handlaying. And homasote holds spikes bettter. Assuming that means nothing to you, I guess cork would be a good choice. Why pay more than you need to? Woodland Scenics makes a ton of cash on ground up foam, why spend outrageous sums of money on their roadbed? I guess it comes down to time versus cash. Everyone has something they are willing to spend cash on to make things easier. The same person will refuse to buy a given product, preferring to make his own. It pretty much depends on what you like to work on, doesn't it? I buy brass locos but cast my own details to save money. Can't say it makes sense!
Gary
Gary
Bob. I have AMI roadbed on my layout now and I hate it. I can not get Ballast to stick to it. Where it does stick, it slowly comes off. Also I have to keep reglueing the track to it as it comes loose. White glue does not work well on this roadbed. I will never buy it again and stick to cork. :cry: :cry: :curse: :curse: :curse: :curse: :cry: :cry: :cry:
:cry: :cry: :curse: :curse: :curse: :curse: :cry: :cry: :cry:All excellent input folks...thank you. Dick your comments have made my decission to use cork if I must use something. In the past I have just put the track right down on the base surface with good success however I have some banks to deal with this time and thought cork might solve my dilema.
Thanks again all,
Thanks again all,