info@mpmhobbies.com
Llame: 1-(904) 507-3327
9297 Ford Rd.
Bryceville, Florida 32009
Build professional N scale layouts with premium track-bed accessories that provide realistic elevation, superior sound dampening, and stable track foundation. This essential collection features industry-leading products including Woodland Track-Bed Roll 24', traditional Cork Roadbed 1/8"x1-1/8"x36", and the convenient Kato Cork Roadbed 900mm. Manufactured by trusted brands including Woodland Scenics, Midwest Products, and KATO, these track-bed solutions ensure quiet operation and authentic appearance for serious model railroaders.
Track-bed represents one of the most important yet often overlooked components of model railroad construction, providing the foundation that determines track stability, operational reliability, sound characteristics, and visual realism. This comprehensive collection of N scale track-bed accessories includes both traditional cork roadbed that has served modelers for generations and modern foam alternatives that offer superior performance characteristics. Proper track-bed installation elevates track to realistic height above the layout surface, creates the distinctive ballast shoulder profile that defines real railroad right-of-way, dampens operational noise for quieter running, provides a resilient foundation that absorbs minor irregularities in the layout surface, and creates a professional appearance that distinguishes serious layouts from toy train setups.
Woodland Scenics revolutionized track-bed technology with their proprietary foam formulation that offers significant advantages over traditional materials. The Woodland Track-Bed Roll 24' provides continuous roadbed in a convenient roll format, ideal for long mainline runs and sweeping curves where seamless installation minimizes joints and potential alignment issues. The roll format allows modelers to cut custom lengths for any track configuration, eliminating waste and ensuring perfect fit for complex track plans. The Woodland Track-Bed Strips (Standard Pack) 24" 12pk offers pre-cut strips in the most common length for straight track sections and gentle curves, providing convenience for modelers who prefer ready-to-use components. For large layouts or club projects, the Woodland Track-Bed Strips (Bulk Pack) 24" 36pk delivers exceptional value with triple the quantity at reduced per-strip cost.
Flexible installation options continue with the Woodland Track-Bed Sheets 3 1/4x24" 6pk, which provides flat sheets ideal for yards, industrial sidings, and areas where track runs close together without the elevated profile of mainline roadbed. The Woodland Track-Bed Super Sheet 12x24" offers maximum coverage for large flat areas, enabling efficient installation in classification yards, engine terminals, and industrial complexes where multiple tracks run parallel at the same elevation. Woodland Scenics Track-Bed features a closed-cell foam structure that resists moisture absorption, will not crumble or deteriorate over time, provides superior sound dampening compared to cork, includes a beveled edge that creates authentic ballast shoulder profile, and accepts adhesives readily while remaining flexible enough to follow curves without kinking or splitting.
Cork roadbed has served model railroaders since the earliest days of the hobby, and modern cork products continue to offer excellent performance with the advantage of decades of proven reliability. The N Scale Cork Roadbed 1/8"x1-1/8"x36" from Midwest Products provides traditional cork in the standard N scale profile, with beveled edges that create the distinctive ballast shoulder and appropriate height for realistic track elevation. The 36-inch length accommodates most straight track sections and gentle curves, while the natural flexibility of cork allows it to follow tighter radius curves when carefully formed. The Kato Cork Roadbed 900mm (35 7/16") offers premium cork specifically engineered to work seamlessly with Kato Unitrack, though it performs equally well with any N scale track system. Kato's precision manufacturing ensures consistent dimensions and clean beveled edges that require no trimming or shaping.
For modelers requiring larger quantities or custom applications, the Midwest Products Cork Roll 1/16" x 24" x 48" provides raw cork sheet material that can be cut to any desired width and profile, enabling custom roadbed for unusual track configurations, narrow gauge applications, or specialized industrial trackage. Cork roadbed offers natural resilience that absorbs vibration and dampens sound, proven longevity with cork installations lasting decades without deterioration, easy workability that can be cut with hobby knives or scissors, excellent adhesion to most layout surfaces using white glue or contact cement, and authentic appearance that resembles ballasted track even before actual ballast application.
Proper ballasting creates the finished appearance that distinguishes professional layouts, and the Bachmann Ballast Spreader simplifies this critical task by distributing ballast evenly along track while preventing spillage onto ties and rail surfaces. This specialized tool features adjustable gates that control ballast flow, a hopper that holds sufficient material for extended ballasting sessions, and a design that rides on the rails to ensure consistent ballast depth and profile. The ballast spreader dramatically reduces the time required for ballasting while improving consistency and reducing cleanup, making it an essential tool for any layout with significant trackage.
Grade crossings where tracks intersect roads or pathways require special treatment to create smooth transitions for vehicles and pedestrians, and the Osborn Level Crossing Boards 2Pkg provides realistic crossing planks that fill the space between rails and create the distinctive appearance of actual railroad crossings. These precision-molded components install easily between the rails and can be painted and weathered to match the surrounding scenery, adding authentic detail to any location where track crosses roads or pathways.
Successful track-bed installation begins with proper layout surface preparation, ensuring the base is level, smooth, and free from irregularities that could telegraph through the roadbed and affect track alignment. Cork roadbed typically installs using white glue or contact cement, with the beveled edges positioned outward to create the ballast shoulder profile. Strips should be butted tightly together at joints, with staggered seams on curves to prevent kinks. Woodland Scenics Track-Bed installs similarly but offers the advantage of being pre-beveled on both edges, eliminating the need to orient strips correctly. The foam material compresses slightly under track weight, creating excellent conformity to the track base and superior sound dampening.
Curves require special attention, as roadbed must follow the track radius without kinking or creating flat spots that will be visible after ballasting. Cork can be pre-formed to curve radius by soaking in water and allowing it to dry while held in the desired curve, though this is rarely necessary for N scale's gentle curves. Woodland Scenics Track-Bed's foam construction flexes easily to any curve radius without pre-forming. Superelevation (banking) on curves can be created by shimming the outer rail's roadbed with additional material, though this is more common in larger scales where the effect is more visible. Transitions between different roadbed types or heights should be gradual, with tapered joints that prevent abrupt changes in track elevation that could cause derailments or operational issues.
One of track-bed's most important functions is sound dampening, dramatically reducing the operational noise that can detract from realistic operation. The resilient materials absorb vibration from rolling stock and prevent it from transmitting to the layout surface, which would amplify sound like a drumhead. Woodland Scenics Track-Bed's closed-cell foam structure provides superior sound dampening compared to cork, with some modelers reporting noise reduction of 50% or more compared to track laid directly on plywood or foam board. Cork also provides excellent sound dampening, though slightly less than foam alternatives. For maximum noise reduction, some modelers use both roadbed and additional sound-dampening materials beneath the layout surface, creating a multi-layer approach that virtually eliminates mechanical noise and allows sound-equipped locomotives' speakers to be heard clearly without competition from wheel and gear noise.
Track-bed creates the foundation for realistic ballasting, with the beveled edges forming shoulders that contain ballast and create the distinctive profile of actual railroad track. After track is secured to roadbed and tested for proper operation, ballast can be applied using the ballast spreader or by hand-sprinkling fine N scale ballast along the track. The ballast should cover the roadbed's beveled edges and create a smooth transition to the surrounding terrain. After positioning ballast to the desired profile, it is secured using diluted white glue or matte medium applied with an eyedropper or spray bottle, with a drop of detergent added to break surface tension and allow the adhesive to penetrate the ballast. The roadbed's resilient surface allows the ballast to settle into the beveled profile naturally, creating authentic appearance with minimal effort.
Complement your track-bed accessories with our comprehensive N Scale Train Track collection featuring track from multiple manufacturers. Discover additional track accessories from our N Scale Bachmann E-Z Track, N Scale E-Z Track Accessories, and N Scale Track Cleaning collections. For scenery and layout building, browse our N Scale Woodland Scenics collection. Modelers working in larger scales should explore our HO Scale Woodland Scenics collection for similar products in HO scale.
Woodland Scenics has been the leading manufacturer of model railroad scenery products since 1974, with their Track-Bed line representing a significant innovation in roadbed technology. The company's commitment to quality and innovation has made them the preferred choice for serious modelers worldwide. Visit the official Woodland Scenics website to explore their complete product catalog. Midwest Products has manufactured quality hobby materials including cork roadbed since 1942, providing consistent quality and reliable performance. Visit Midwest Products for their full range of modeling materials. KATO has been a leader in N scale model railroading since the 1960s, with their precision-engineered products setting industry standards for quality and performance. Visit KATO to discover their complete line of N scale products and innovative track systems.