03-27-2026, 06:46 PM
A huge update. On monday me and my fiance were in Altoona for an appointment and after that appointment we went to a hobby shop that we noticed over the weekend. It is one of those tucked away places that if you don't know it's there, you will miss it. They have all kind of things from model trains, track, scenery product to ceramic dishes. The fiance found tinker toys at a great price ( $19.99 ) for a complete set and I found 15ft of HO Scale Cork Roadbed for $4.49. We both walked away with a great deal on what we picked up. I looked around on the internet and for 15ft of roadbed, it definitely would have cost me more to buy it off the internet. Anyways, once we got home I went to work on the the engine facility, making sure the tracks were straight and to where I wanted them because there was no turning back once I started. I got everything where I want it to be and the fun began.
I have never used the cork roadbed before and this was a learning experience for me. I watched numerous YouTube videos on how to lay it down and how to cut the cork for switches. I dont' think I did to bad of a job for my first time doing it and as the work went on, it was easier to see how to cut the cork for the switches. Once I completed all of that, I laid the track down and started to tack it in place. I can honestly say I was extremely nervous doing this but below are pictures of what has all been done. Now it's time to get some ballast and to raise the engine facility up some so the engines have some breathing room going in and out. I am planning on making the floor in the engine facility "concrete" and that will be another first for me.
One video I watched recommended that you scan your switches and print them off. So I did just that and it helped a whole bunch.
I have never used the cork roadbed before and this was a learning experience for me. I watched numerous YouTube videos on how to lay it down and how to cut the cork for switches. I dont' think I did to bad of a job for my first time doing it and as the work went on, it was easier to see how to cut the cork for the switches. Once I completed all of that, I laid the track down and started to tack it in place. I can honestly say I was extremely nervous doing this but below are pictures of what has all been done. Now it's time to get some ballast and to raise the engine facility up some so the engines have some breathing room going in and out. I am planning on making the floor in the engine facility "concrete" and that will be another first for me.
One video I watched recommended that you scan your switches and print them off. So I did just that and it helped a whole bunch.
Matt
Conrail's Blairsville Cutoff - A Fictitious Alternative Route Over The Allegheny Mountains From Blairsville, Pa to Cresson, Pa
Milepost 296.0 to Milepost 250.0