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Post by mrbarlow on Jan 21, 2024 11:33:48 GMT -5
All,
I'll be building a Z layout in a spare room with dimensions roughly 16' x 30'.
I'm planning on using flex track, so that narrows it down to Atlas with Atlas turnouts.
Does anyone make Z scale cork roadbed?
Thanks,
Mr. B
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Post by Curn on Jan 21, 2024 16:51:14 GMT -5
Some people use Midwest N scale cork roadbed and just cut it down the center. I don’t like bending straight strips of cork to the tight curves needed in Z scale. So I just buy sheet/roll of cork, lay it flat, put a 1:1 printout of the track plan over the cork, and cut the plan exactly out of the sheet. That way there is no stress on the cork being bent around curves.
Most craft stores carry 24”x48”x1/8” cork rolls. Alternatively, you could also cut these rolls down into strips using a box cutter and a yard stick.
Anyrail, Scram, and Xtrkcad allow printing track plans at 1:1 scale, and you can have it draw the roadbed so that you know where to cut, you just have to align and tape all the pages together. This would be a bit cumbersome on a large 16’x30’ layout.
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Post by Guba on Jan 21, 2024 19:03:39 GMT -5
Itty Bitty Lines makes cork roadbed for Z scale if your not into cutting cork yourself. But it sounds like you may need to cut your own with a layout that big just for economy sake. Straight sections are only 18" long.
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rray
Fireman
Retired and model railroading till the last train out!
Posts: 87 
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Post by rray on Jan 21, 2024 21:57:43 GMT -5
I use N Scale Midwest Cork, split in half. The height of Atlas track on a 1/2 strip of Midewest Cork is the same height as Rokuhan Roadbed track, and the rail joiner height matches right up.
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Scott
Engineer
Posts: 196
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Post by Scott on Jan 22, 2024 4:19:01 GMT -5
Hobbylinc and Blick carry the cork made by Midwest Products.
Everything is about sixteenth inch: Cork, Taskboard, basswood, styrene, and Z scale track.
Midwest Products Cork Roll is the perfect wife for Atlas Z scale flex track.
Some use a bevel mat board cutter.
You owe me a beer.
Scott
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Post by mrbarlow on Jan 22, 2024 10:24:13 GMT -5
Thank You Curn, Guba, rray and Scott.
Sorry, I don't drink Scott.
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Scott
Engineer
Posts: 196
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Post by Scott on Jan 22, 2024 21:42:37 GMT -5
mrbarlow,
My pleasure. Please pardon the beer joke.
Recap … Midwest Products Cork Roll and a five-pack of Atlas Flex Track will give you a whole train yard that’s the same height as Z scale Micro-Trains Line Micro-Track.
Midwest Products Cork Roll is 1/16- by 24- by 48-inches (Hobbylinc).
For mounting track to cork consider 5/8-inch push-pins (Blick), 123 blocks (Big Orange), and Gorilla Wood Glue (Blick or Big Orange).
Father always said, “It’s not how much glue, it’s how much pressure.”
Hey, I’m still learning too. Bonus suggestion: Olive Grey makes a good general tone for the new railroad tie brown.
Scott
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Post by stevew on Jan 26, 2024 13:46:41 GMT -5
I'm begining a new layout using Atlas track. For roadbed, I initially thought I'd be using cork, but I got lucky and found a case of Z scale Homabed on eBay and snagged it. But I do have some Midwest cork roll and agree that it is perfect for Atlas track.
Steve W
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Post by dazed on Jan 26, 2024 14:36:08 GMT -5
"Z Scale Homabed"...well there's an avenue that I didn't explore. Who knew that was a product that was ported down to Z.
In the "write your congressman" department, I would urge any of you interested in the Midwest cork option to send them an email. I have sent a couple since the introduction of the Atlas product, suggesting that it would likely create new interest in a Z version of their product. To my knowledge (possibly junk filter etc) they did not respond but maybe if enough folks bend their ear it might happen? I used info@midwestproducts.com so if someone has a better option let me know. Anyway, just a thought.
I'll do the roll option or N cork in lieu of that, but the split cork sure does make it easy to lay out curves.
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Post by stevew on Feb 7, 2024 13:11:36 GMT -5
"Z Scale Homabed"...well there's an avenue that I didn't explore. Who knew that was a product that was ported down to Z. In the "write your congressman" department, I would urge any of you interested in the Midwest cork option to send them an email. I have sent a couple since the introduction of the Atlas product, suggesting that it would likely create new interest in a Z version of their product. To my knowledge (possibly junk filter etc) they did not respond but maybe if enough folks bend their ear it might happen? I used info@midwestproducts.com so if someone has a better option let me know. Anyway, just a thought. I'll do the roll option or N cork in lieu of that, but the split cork sure does make it easy to lay out curves. Well, as it turned out my stash of homabed dried out and got brittle. I contacted the company but they said they have a lot of catching up to do on larger scales before they can even think about producing Z roadbed. So I poked around online and found a company that makes synthetic cork/rubber in various sizes. I went with a rather thin product, 1//16 inch thick. I am trying to portray a secondary mainline. So far it's self adhesive properties are working very well. Here's a link for anyone that's interested: link
Attachments:
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Post by zscalehobo on Feb 7, 2024 14:17:45 GMT -5
Cool. How do you work the curves with the rolls?
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Post by dazed on Feb 7, 2024 14:43:47 GMT -5
"Z Scale Homabed"...well there's an avenue that I didn't explore. Who knew that was a product that was ported down to Z. In the "write your congressman" department, I would urge any of you interested in the Midwest cork option to send them an email. I have sent a couple since the introduction of the Atlas product, suggesting that it would likely create new interest in a Z version of their product. To my knowledge (possibly junk filter etc) they did not respond but maybe if enough folks bend their ear it might happen? I used info@midwestproducts.com so if someone has a better option let me know. Anyway, just a thought. I'll do the roll option or N cork in lieu of that, but the split cork sure does make it easy to lay out curves. Well, as it turned out my stash of homabed dried out and got brittle. I contacted the company but they said they have a lot of catching up to do on larger scales before they can even think about producing Z roadbed. So I poked around online and found a company that makes synthetic cork/rubber in various sizes. I went with a rather thin product, 1//16 inch thick. I am trying to portray a secondary mainline. So far it's self adhesive properties are working very well.
That's awesome! Looks very promising. I assume from the pics that you are using the 3/4" version? I guess the real concern (in my mind) would be the adhesive holding long-term. Ballasting would likely solve that, but man there's nothing worse than adhesive failure with beautifully laid flex track. I would probably "bank" the cork with a thin bead of glue just for insurance. I think I'm gonna have to order some! EDIT: Just did. Tip: free shipping over $50, which luckily is just under what it costs for two of the 100ft 3/4" wide 1/16" rolls. |
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Post by stevew on Feb 10, 2024 12:21:48 GMT -5
It takes curves very well. I thought maybe I would need to cut notches for curving but it was not necessary.
Doug, I too thought about the adhesive holding long term. I was going to glue it down, but it seemed to stick so well I decided to take a chance. I hope I don't regret it!
The 3/4 is a bit wide, but I plan on beveling the edges and ballasting so I think it'll be ok. I was hoping that they had something between a 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch but they didn't.
The 1/16 may be a little low if you want to represent Class 1 mainlines. I am shooting for more of a secondary mainline look so I think the 1/16 will be okay.
Steve W
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Scott
Engineer
Posts: 196
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Post by Scott on Feb 10, 2024 21:02:39 GMT -5
Stevew et al,
Why is everybody ahead of me?
“1/16 inch thick”—You’re sounding like an enlightened man. Say, that’s not a C-Thru rule on the layout, is it? A double-track camelback trestle—I had in the same position on a double-track loop. Crossovers at left I did, too, but my are righthand turnouts.
Adjusting a rail joiner, I pulled out a rail on a Z scale MTL turnout (%*&#@$!). Lesson learned: Dad’s old jawed slip joint pliers work better than my spiffy brand new hobby needlenose pliers. Lesson learned number two: Plastic rail joiners needed where the two turnouts connect.
Not only for its lightweight, portability, and quick-change flexibility, foamboard allows for carving below the trackline. This opens the gates to a wealth of realism and other possibilities. That’s something you may want to consider.
What’s the vessel of clear liquid?
An’ speaking of camelback trestles—Know whud be cool for 3D printing? Bridge track! Z scale bridge track—What a concept! I’m referring to the wide-width close-together ties with the arrow-headed conjoined inside guard rails before and after the bridge.
We need a dedicated gallery board on the AZL Forum.
Like where yer goin’ Stevew,
Scott
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Post by stevew on Feb 11, 2024 12:20:43 GMT -5
Stevew et al, Why is everybody ahead of me? “1/16 inch thick”—You’re sounding like an enlightened man. Say, that’s not a C-Thru rule on the layout, is it? A double-track camelback trestle—I had in the same position on a double-track loop. Crossovers at left I did, too, but my are righthand turnouts. Adjusting a rail joiner, I pulled out a rail on a Z scale MTL turnout (%*&#@$!). Lesson learned: Dad’s old jawed slip joint pliers work better than my spiffy brand new hobby needlenose pliers. Lesson learned number two: Plastic rail joiners needed where the two turnouts connect. Not only for its lightweight, portability, and quick-change flexibility, foamboard allows for carving below the trackline. This opens the gates to a wealth of realism and other possibilities. That’s something you may want to consider. What’s the vessel of clear liquid? An’ speaking of camelback trestles—Know whud be cool for 3D printing? Bridge track! Z scale bridge track—What a concept! I’m referring to the wide-width close-together ties with the arrow-headed conjoined inside guard rails before and after the bridge. We need a dedicated gallery board on the AZL Forum. Like where yer goin’ Stevew, Scott Scott, Thanks for the comments. Yes, that is a Microscale see thru ruler that I used to draw the curves. Just drilled holes where I needed them. So you think 1/16" is a good roadbed height? It works out to 13.75 inches on the prototype. Definitely not the high iron but that wasn't the look I was going for. I am at a bit of a loss as far as bridges. I shouldn't have made the waterway 2.5 inches deep. But what's done is done, worst case I do some scratchbuilding! I have worked with foam extensively. My other layout is built on 4 inches of foam and a thin layer of cork on top. I'm one of those oddballs who isn't that fond of the noise of track on foam. So in this case I used the foam but topped it with plywood. There are a few areas besides the river that I will have below grade scenery, just have some cutting to do. I'll certainly use plenty of foam for above grade level scenery. I really wanted to go old school on this layout. I did overbuild it for sure, weighs 40 pounds! I agree about the bridge track, let me draw and print a section and see how it comes out. Your keen eyes spotted a glass of Pinot Grigio, which I find helps with layout building lol. Not too much though. Steve W |
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