Homasote

Look for Celotex.   Home Depot and Lowes will carry a product called soundboard.

Steve

Surprising that Homasote isn't available in your area, Steve.  Have you tried all of the lumber yards around you ?   

As Dan said "..... all of the lumber yards...". For the most part the staff at the big box stores won't even know what you're talking about. Google "Homasote", go to their website for a list of dealers. Often the independent lumber yards can order it for you.

I had to go "way across town" to a small lumberyard to get homasote but they had plenty of it!  Fortunately it's flexible enough to wedge into the back of my Venza.  Do check their website for dealers nar you.

We used homasote on my Dad's layout that we recently built. None of the big box stores had heard of it, but using homasote website, we were able to find it at a lumber yard and have it delivered.

One thing we ran into was that the homasote had been exposed to moisture, probably left outside, which made it smell awful. A quick coat of sealant on each side and the smell disappeared.

Stephen G,

Here is the link to the locator:

Homasote

We don't have it in the Huntsville, Alabama area, either, but I found it in Birmingham.

I used Homosote a long time ago it was still good years later.  Evidently it is carried by Home Depot and sold as  SOUND BARRIER. Found that out at a Lowe's store. I need 3 sheets for my new layout so will have to travel to an HD store. Originally it was inexpensive but no more

Not sure where you live in MO., but I see there are two HD's in the middle of the state.  If you can, go to one and give them this info at the PRO Desk.

model# 206136

Internet# 202090212

Store SKU# 123024

Store SO SKU# 532811

Price $29.80

hope this helps

STEPHEN, when you do find some, make sure the sheets you select are all the same thickness. Here in eastern PA, I passed on a brand Home Depot had, at $29.80 plus tax, because it was so thick and thin. Thank God I did. I drove 3 miles down the road, to Lowe's, and they had a much better quality brand on clearance for $7.62 a sheet.

I just found a Menards with some for $29.80 a sheet. They also sell 2x4 panels.   Hope sheets will fit my Ford Exployer. 

I have a question about the use (or not) of Homosote.  I've read numerous conversations here and elsewhere about using it over a plywood base so  I know it's recycled paper based, will absorb water, and very dusty when cut.   Also, I understand it is a great sound deadening material.

I originally had thought about using foam board of some kind because I have a stream planned for my first train board and thought I could "chisel" then paint the stream on it and have the train track traverse it with a bridge or trestle. 

Now I'm confused which approach to choose.  One question, I assume Homosote can't be carved like foam board so that's a disadvantage unless I decided just to paint the stream on it without carving it so I would end up with a one dimensional water feature.  Also, I've read that foam board is a poor sound deadening material, which to me in counter-intuitive since one would think foam would absorb sound so my question is, if I were to use foam board what should (could) I use to quiet it down, roadbed or cork or something entirely different?

Lowes doesn't stock or list Homasote, but they can special order.  Their register receipt even calls it by the correct name.  I know of at least two examples where they have ordered it.

I use Homasote only under track (roadbed) over plywood  (sub roadbed structural).  Then I use foam for scenery and scenery base. I do not cover the entire layout with Homasote.

I was very interested in foam, until I learned it has a low ignition point and burns VERY quickly.  Scared me away from it.

There is a product I am wondering if anyone out there has tried for a layout - cork bonded to Homosote, or NovoCork.  Here is the product page I stumbled across recently:

http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/s...Z%2BPOGk%2B%2BKm4%3D

David

If you need several sheets, 20 or more, and have a truck, and a cover if it rains, there is a hardware/lumberyard that stocks this in Nashville, Tennessee. Come to Clarksville and I will go with you, I used 28 sheets on my layout, it’s a great product for sound deadening, and screwing down track.  It is quite dusty, so cut it outside. Celotex is a mess, will not hold screws well, is crushable.  There are lots of considerations, thinking processes, before you actually buy this product.  If your using 3/4 plywood, built on 2 by 4 framing, you really may not need it. Old toy trains, rolling on sectional tubular track on 1/2 inch plywood made vibration noises. If your using Gargraves flexable track, Atlas O trackage, or the new fast-track and you use carpeting pieces under your table legs, that will really help reduce train noise.  

Homesote is a great sound reducer, however, you would need to paint it to seal it before laying track. By painting the Homesote, you can use 1/4 inch cork roadbed, then screw the track directly into the Homesote itself. Not into the plywood, thus eliminating vibration sounds.

Good Luck, Happy Railroading.

I purchased 1/2 inch 4x8  sound board from Menards for $9.99 before 11% rebate. Laid on 1/2 inch plywood bench top. Cut to fit using Sabre saw with knife blade. Very little mess and cut with ease. Using liquid nails to adhere to plywood, no screws! Will paint with cheap interior latex. 

I don't have a Menard's where I live but sound board is sound board after all so any of the big box stores will carry it.  I think though that this product is designed to reflect sound off it's surface (now that I think about it) so will your train noise be reflected too?   At least we know Homosote absorbs sound.

Stephen G posted:

Homasote isn't available in my area.  Is there any other materials that can be used?

 

What is your area?

Upstate New York, near Syracuse