windhund42 posted:I never asked where to buy Homosote to begin with and I certainly know how to use a website "Find a retailer" function. All responses to my questions have been very helpful and I thank all of you. I think "Homacote" is made by the same company that makes Homasote, thus the name similarity.
I'm leaning toward a foam layer over my 3/4 inch plywood base instead of Homasote.
I ran into the same problem as you. Found a local outfit called Pro-Build who custom ordered the homasote. I have also used the Celotex. It works as well but I found it a little 'brittle'. In manhandling a sheet onto my table top I actually had a chunk of corner break off. In a previous post you made it sounded like you were talking about three different materials - homasote, foam board and foam sheets.
Homasote and foam sheets make good sound deadening materials. You have the option of using whole sheets over the entire layout or cutting them up and using under the track only. If just under the track a previous post suggested using Woodland Scenics foam roadbed which works also. Homasote is strictly a sound deadening material - you can't carve it for terrain building and it is way too expensive to layer. Foam on the other hand can be carved and used to build terrain. Homasote takes paint well and holds screws. Foam will take paint (see post above) but I am not sure about screws. If you decide on foam only use the dense material (pink or blue depending on where you live). Don't use the white stuff. It will not carve well and certainly won't hold screws. Pink or blue foam will cut with very little mess because of its density. Cutting Homasote on a machine will make a mess. White foam is just as bad.
Foam board is an entirely different material. I have not worked with it that much. It comes in thin sheets ?1/8 to 1/4? inch and I believe can be purchased with either a paper or plastic with foam sandwiched in between. Some use this material for making structures or bases for streets etc.
Whatever material you choose to use as a base for a pond it would be a good idea to add a layer of Sculptamold or similar material to seal everything especially the edges of the pond.
In summary the choice of material for track deadening will depend somewhat on the method you decide to use to attached track. If you plan on screwing it down personal favorite is homasote. If you decide to glue the track it then homasote or foam with foam being a whole lot cheaper and more available.
Joe
