[flyerrich]

Where do you guys get your cork from? Do most of you lay it in your yards before laying your track and what thickness? I use the Midwest brand for under my mainline tracks.

 

[mesenteria]

If you use cork in your yards (which isn't really necessary IMO), you'll have to elevate the mains that much more if you want realistic separations between sidings, A/D tracks, and the yard ladders. The mains should be higher by about 12" or so. Again, not strictly necessary, not on a layout, but the real roads would definitely have those lesser tracks lowered to keep loose rolling stock from running out onto the mains.

Most, many, hardware stores or builders' stores will have rolls of cork for underlayment. Then, with the proper amount in hand, you use a utility knife, straightedge (a 4' metal level or framing square is great), and some clean/clear space on a floor, you cut strips about 1.1" wide.

You want the stuff that's about 5/16" thick...ish.

 

[65446]

"Midwest" is the largest if not the only Co that makes HO and N scale cork.. You can find it a any train store (if one even exists near you any longer), or go to ebay..
We'll assume you already know how to install it. If not, do a search here..or probably scads of 'how to' in YouTube..Do you have a MRR club nearby ?
Cork (which is used to help depict shouldered ballast), in my opinion, should not be employed in yards, past the yard throat.
Yard traffic is S L O W, tracks can be funky. No need for shoulders.
Easiest way to go from shouldered to unshouldered without having to create ramps downward is to have the subroadbed (plywood or foam board raised so as to have its surface level with the cork surface (in HO that's going to be 3/16").
Or, get a large pad (or composed of several pads) of 3/16" cork at a hardware store, the size of your entire yard, and butt it up against shouldered throat tracks at same level. Capeesh ? M

 

[Dennis461]

For yards or double track, I buy 12" squares from Walmart in the business supply section of the store.

 

[Eilif]

Haven't used them yet but I bought 12" cork tiles from Menards. They happened to be the same thickness as the cork roadbed I'm using.

 

[wvgca]

cork is only nessecary if the prototype that you are modeling has raised trackage , some [not much, mostly older and smaller] was laid directly on ground level, and most yards are lower than mains [read; no cork]

 

[Dennis461]

yes, but...

TOKYO: East Japan Railway said Wednesday that it will rebuild it's yard raising it up with cork to prevent future flooding.

 

[Eilif]

cork is only nessecary if the prototype that you are modeling has raised trackage , some [not much, mostly older and smaller] was laid directly on ground level, and most yards are lower than mains [read; no cork]

True, but for those working with limited space it may be worth it to keep everything level even if the yard would have a drop. In that case raising the yard to the level of the mains with cork tiles is an easy way to keep everything the same height.

 

[wvgca]

True, but for those working with limited space it may be worth it to keep everything level even if the yard would have a drop.

true, your railroad, your rules, lol

 

[Jscullans]

I buy it at the train show but it’s monthly by me. You can get it for $25 a box there. I think that it has 30 strips 3’ long

 

[Lemonhawk]

It took me a while to notice that its water next to the Japanese Locomotives! What a mess! Wonder why they think adding cork under the tracks would be a good idea?

 

[ftauss]

Most of the pictures of yards and most of what I have read about about them is that most have the ties on the ground and the rail is smaller, lighter rail. I'm thinking myself of using code 55 directly on the surface for yards and sidings and using code 80 for the mainlines.

 

[Jscullans]

Mine is all gonna have cork under it. Actually working on my outer loop of my main line tonight

 

[kilowatt62]

So, I was at one of the hobbyist type stores recently. ( Michael's - Hobby Lobby, etc) You know the type: everything from plastic flowers to beads and baubles to sewing and picture framing supplies. Lots of glue and paint too. Not a scale train, plane, nor automobile in sight...
That said, I was there looking for plastic storage boxes, glue, card stock, and a few other things. I came across rolls of cork. 2' x 4' in three different thicknesses at a very nice price. Seems to me that, if one is going to do custom cutting of cork road bed then, these places are worth a look-see. 8 square feet for $9.95 is probably cheaper than most hobby shops or online.
Just my meager two cent opinion.