prefer ME flex track for visible locations because of its superior
appearance.
Marking center lines
The MidWest Products cork roadbed I use needs to be split in
two along a pre-cut diagonal. Then, the two pieces are glued
in place back-to-back with their beveled edges (more or less)
simulating a ballast profile.
If care is taken to closely align the cork roadbed when gluing it,
the seam between the two pieces can be used to guide track
placement. But I always lightly sand the cork to smooth the top
surface and this makes it hard to see the center seam.
5. With the sub-roadbed in place, I started to glue
down cork roadbed. This area of Browning is on a 1%
grade, descending toward the backdrop.
5
For a year or two I’ve been marking the edge of each cork strip
with a Sharpie black marking pen. Now the center line is clearly
visible after sanding [6, 8].
I spread yellow glue, then smoosh the cork into the glue and
hold it in place with map tacks. After the glue dries I remove
the map tacks, and use a 16” long block of particle board
wrapped with 60 grit sandpaper to smooth the top [7]. Using
a long sanding block helps keep the cork’s surface flat. I also
lightly sand the outside edges of the cork to remove roughness
left when I split the cork into two pieces.
Up the Creek Column - 4
MRH-Sep 2014
