Just starting to lay track and hoping it all fits on the benchwork. Wondering whether it would be better and/or easier to use homasote over plywood, then lay track over it in one shot, then wire. If cork/flexxbed, I'm anticipating having to pick-up track and then lay the cork/flexxbed under it, then wire. I'd appreciate some thoughts on this.
Thanks, Mike
I used Mianne bench work at 40" high. Then laid all the track then wired it. I can't get under the layout without help, so I got a little mechanic's stool on wheels and I sit on that and scoot around underneath. It's just high enough that I clear with a slight duck at the cross connections. Can't do it for an extended period, but I can do it long enough to run a wire and stick it up through the top for connection to it's track or device.
I am using Flexxbed and didn't have enough to do the whole layout, or the funds to purchase the rest of it at the time (Christmas and some trains I had ordered depleted the budget for more train items for a while). I just wanted to get some trains running at the time. So now I have to go back and put it under the track when I get the rest of it. I don't think it will be that difficult, but my preferred method would have been to do it all at the same time. Getting ready to finish my road bed order and start that pretty soon.
I have not tried Homasote, but from what others have said it might be just fine to use that with no road bed and just put track right on top? Leave the wires a little long to the track feeders and if you don't like it you could always add the cork or other road bed later (as I will be doing), not ideal, but doable.
