Model Railroading > n scale roadbed suggestions

i'm thinking about tearing down the old layout and building a new one. i want to use peco code 80 flex track with concrete ties on the main and peco code 80 large 36" radius electro frog turnouts.

other than using cork for the roadbed, what other suggestions does anybody have?

thanks for any info.........

66

Well, I'm just starting in N, and haven't gotten too far into layout construction, but why Code 80? In N, that's HUGE. I've been buying up Micro Engineering code 55, which is still large, but at least a lot smaller.

- Jeff Carlson

bnsfsd70 Wrote:
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> Well, I'm just starting in N, and haven't gotten
> too far into layout construction, but why Code 80?
> In N, that's HUGE. I've been buying up Micro
> Engineering code 55, which is still large, but at
> least a lot smaller.
>
> - Jeff Carlson

i actually like the way it looks........

66

Are you planning on going DCC? If so, why electrofrog turnouts?

I like the Woodland Scenics roadbed - black foam, very easy to work with, holds down wonderfully with Elmer's Glue. Same will go for the track when you lay it.

-Eric

I have used the Woodland Scenic foam road bed with success. There is also a outfit that makes a very tacky road bed but its name escapes me. I think there is a lot to be said for code 80 in N scale. With some weathering it does not look do bad and it is very relabel and durable.
Kevin

Pacific Division, I think your are thinking of AMI roadbed. It is a rubber like material that you can push the track down in to. Plus,It will stick to foam or plywood base.

goneon66 Wrote:
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>
> other than using cork for the roadbed, what other
> suggestions does anybody have?
>

I'm going with the old standby - homasote - on my HO switching layout.

Will MacKenzie
Dundas, ON

EspeeGoldenState Wrote:
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> Are you planning on going DCC? If so, why
> electrofrog turnouts?

no dcc (too many engines to convert). in fact the whole layout (9'x16') will be just one big block as i am the only one running on it and it will be EASY to trouble shoot......

66

thehighwayman Wrote:
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> goneon66 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > other than using cork for the roadbed, what
> other
> > suggestions does anybody have?
> >
>
> I'm going with the old standby - homasote - on my
> HO switching layout.

since i live in arizona, humidity is NOT a problem. i'm gonna look for some homasote and see what i think......

66

therailnut Wrote:
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> Pacific Division, I think your are thinking of AMI
> roadbed. It is a rubber like material that you can
> push the track down in to. Plus,It will stick to
> foam or plywood base.

has anybody used this? seems like a good idea in that this road bed sticks to your base and the track and ballast would stick to this roadbed......

66

goneon66 Wrote:
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> no dcc (too many engines to convert). in fact the
> whole layout (9'x16') will be just one big block
> as i am the only one running on it and it will be
> EASY to trouble shoot......
>
> 66

Hi Juan!

If you don't run DCC and you don't have any blocks that you can turn on/off, how do you isolate the locomotives that you are using from other locomotives that are on the layout at the same time? Even if you just have one cab you would need to have blocks with on/off switchs instead of cab1/off/cab2 switches. -- OR -- You could only have 1 consist on the layout at a time.

Bob

chuchubobnv Wrote:
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> goneon66 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > no dcc (too many engines to convert). in fact
> the
> > whole layout (9'x16') will be just one big
> block
> > as i am the only one running on it and it will
> be
> > EASY to trouble shoot......
> >
> > 66
>
> Hi Juan!
>
> If you don't run DCC and you don't have any blocks
> that you can turn on/off, how do you isolate the
> locomotives that you are using from other
> locomotives that are on the layout at the same
> time?

i only run 1 train at a time, so the only locomotives that need electrical power are the 4-6 units i have on my train. i have numerous "dummy" units (sd60's/sd60m's) that are used as dpu's/helpers at various locations at other locations on the layout that don't require any power.

> Even if you just have one cab you would need
> to have blocks with on/off switchs instead of
> cab1/off/cab2 switches. -- OR -- You could only
> have 1 consist on the layout at a time.
>
> Bob

since i am the only one running on the layout, i only have one train at a time running. having a 9'x16' nscale layout as 1 large block is very easy to wire with no electrical worries and has worked great since 1990.

66