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Using Felt as Track Underlay?
Bill asks readers:
“Thanks for the tips. I painted my baseboard green… thinking grass. I am trying to build my layout using self-made parts as much as possible. Cork underlay for the track is expensive, so I’m going to try felt and spray it with a pva/water 50/50 mix. I can cut it to shape and glue to the baseboard? Comments?”
8 Responses to Using Felt as Track Underlay?
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Cork from model railroad suppliers is expensive; cork in quantity from places like bangorcork.com/product/48×3-16-cork-roll-cut-to-length is relatively cheap.
Check this:
http://www.homedepot.com/s/cork%2520rolls?NCNI-5
Here, a full 25 ft roll of 48in wide and 1/4 in thickness costs US $69.97 / roll…
That’s what I’m using on my layout, and it’s very realistic! After covering my yard I intend to apply a dark wash all over and a bit of ground dirt.
At bangorcork.com you would pay US $240.00 for the same article…. VERY VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
The bangorcork site address is:
http://www.bangorcork.com/product/48×1-4-cork-roll-cut-to-length
and you must choose 25 ft length here to compare with Home Depot’s price….
I know it’s hard to believe, but If it’s your case, then check both site pages!
Carl
There’s no rule that one must use cork or foam or any commercially prepared product. The commercial products are popular because they make it easy to get both a sound-deadening cushion and the standard ballast profile. An advantage of felt is that it comes in various thicknesses. Not all tracks are ballasted the same. It might be more tedious cutting the bevel, but if you enjoy that, so what? As they say in another realm, “Whatever floats your boat.”
I would not use felt because it may shed and foul your electrical pick ups. Track cork is pricey. But, you could go to a home maintenance store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) and get cork shelf liner and cut it to fit yourself. That’s what I did for my switching yard. 2′ by 8′.
Bill – one thing you may want to keep in mind. Depending on what’s beneath it, the more you stiffen the felt, the more noise your trains will make as they traverse the tracks. Cork deadens some of this. Woodland Scenics foam base also deadens some. But if you love the noise, go for it! Best of luck with your project.
You can buy a roll of sill seal for house construction. It is cheap and easy to work. It also will add a little sound deadening and definition to your track.
Do you have a distinct product name / manufacturer / bar code // SKU Number, by chance , for this “sill seal” you are talking about . Sill seal sounds pretty generic ….??!!
Topic. Using felt for track underlay.
Hi Bill
Ive been at least 50 years at this hobby and never heard of an idea of using felt. But the idea of it sounds great. It will probably be better then cork as a way of keeping the rail sound down to a respectable level. Remember Bill You are the critic of your layout.You make the choices. This hobby is the art of experimenting. The only limit you will have is the wife saying you can’t spend the money.With that in mind ENJOY YOUR HOBBY.
K.W.