soaking cork - Model Railroader Magazine

Barry, as long as it gives you peace of mind, lay cork any way you please.

Greg, here is a shot of the central panel of my first layout.  Those curves are 15" (as tight as you would want to go) and 18".  There is nary a ripple and no need for weights.....filled soda pop bottles etc. etc.  Only a push down with my thumb and I tap it along the length with a rubber mallet as I put in the push pins.  It is still perfectly level and hasn't moved in any noticeable way now that it is in use.  

Just use a bare skim of acrylic caulk for glue (use the clear kind unless you want to paint if for some reason.  It goes on white then turns transparent).  When I spread it, I can still see the pencil line down the center of the roadway....that tells you how much to use.  And, of course, it is handy to still be able to see that line....especially when laying the curves.

In fact, when I had the opportunity to remove some after a year when expanding the layout it was a very tightly stuck down.