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How to Lay a Cork Roadbed

When you're creating a model railroad track layout, you may wish to raise the level of realism by laying a cork roadbed for your tracks. Real railroads are built on gravel beds. For a model railroad, cork provides a believable look, which can be enhanced with gravel ballast. You can find cork roadbed at most model railroad hobby stores. As a bonus, the cork will reduce your train set's noise when operating.

Things You'll Need

Model railroad track
Plywood board
Pencil
Straight edge
Craft glue
3/8-inch screws
Screwdriver
Gravel
Paintbrush
Eyedropper

Instructions

- 1
  Place a piece of the model railroad track on the plywood board you want to use for your railroad layout. Trace with the pencil along the sides of the track. Use the straight edge to help with tracing the straight sections of track.
- 2
  Remove the track and place a piece of cork roadbed centered on the track outline. Attach it to the board with the craft glue. Repeat until you've placed cork roadbed wherever you want your track.
- 3
  Set your model railroad track on top of the cork once the glue dries. Attach the track pieces to the cork, using the 3/8-inch screws and the screwdriver.
- 4
  Spread the gravel ballast along the tracks on top of the cork roadbed with the paintbrush. Carefully brush away any ballast that may interfere with your train's operation.
- 5
  Mix one part glue with four parts water. Use the eyedropper to drop the liquid glue onto the ballast, being careful not to get your rails sticky. Let the glue dry, then test your track with your model train.

Model Railroads