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I am at the point where I need to decide what to use as a top for my layout.  I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but I just went on to Home Depot's website and was a bit confused. 

I've decided to stay at 1/2" thick.  Currently the price difference between 4x8' sheets of sanded plywood and MDF are the same at around $50.  Opinions on which to use, or others, are welcomed.

I had thought about topping the plywood/MDF with 1/2 homasote, but even that is up to $43 a sheet.   I am on a bit of a budget.

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You can stretch your $$ further by only using the plywood and homasote under where the tracks will be installed. Makes landscaping easier for hills and valleys.  If you need some flat areas lets say for a small city, install just the plywood in that area only.

Plywood shapes can be cut with a jigsaw and the homasote can be cut with a knife. If dust is not a problem, cut the homasote with the jigsaw.  Bill

Whatever you do, revisit your decision a few days later, before buying materials.  I used ½" ACX plywood with ½" Homasote atop it.  So why did I need ACX?  I didn't, but made that decision before I decided to use Homasote atop it and didn't revisit it before acquiring all the materials, impatient to get started on the layout.  OSB would have been fine for the purpose and cost a lot less.

@dkdkrd posted:

Here's a nice comparison...

...which tends to confirm my own experience...

...for which my knee-jerk response to your OP for application on the layout: Plywood.

FWIW, of course...and just one man's opinion.

KD

I think I just learned more about MDF and plywood than I needed to know!

I think this might require a trip to one of the big box stores.  If I'm not happy with what I see, there is a local place I can also try.

@Bill Sherry posted:

You can stretch your $$ further by only using the plywood and homasote under where the tracks will be installed. Makes landscaping easier for hills and valleys.  If you need some flat areas lets say for a small city, install just the plywood in that area only.

Plywood shapes can be cut with a jigsaw and the homasote can be cut with a knife. If dust is not a problem, cut the homasote with the jigsaw.  Bill

Valleys and rivers are a concern of mine to prevent a flat-plywood world.  From your post I am leaning in that direction.  I'll have to look more into it, but I assume you sculpt these using cardboard strips and some kind of molding material?  (plaster of paris, scultpamold?)

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