Top of Train Table

Hodge posted:

Hi,

I have just completed my train table. I just wanted to know if you recommend putting anything between the plywood and the tracks? If not, do you recommend painting the plywood prior to starting, or just paint as I go.

Thanks,

Brian

Absolutely YES, i.e. use some sort of roadbed between the track and the plywood! Personally, I used and prefer, Vinyl "FlexxBed", but many other folks use cork or rubber type roadbed. You will NOT believe how loud it will be with the track screwed directly to the plywood!

I painted the plywood top after installed to seal it and give a base color (mid-brown) for scenery.

I then located my track according to my plan and glued cork roadbed to the plywood.

I painted the cork a gray color, then glued ballast directly to it.

Finally, I screwed down the track (tubular) and added extra ties. Even with the track screwed through the roadbed to the plywood, I think noise was cut down somewhat. The track looks good on the ballasted roadbed.

Everyone will have their own thoughts on this.

I found out the hard way and had to go back, un-screw the track and slip cork under the ties. Definitely pick what you want and place it down before the track. I have been painting as I go.

Actually what I'v been using for a no. of years and itis dirt cheap is the undercarpet padding. Why  is it cheap costs nothing cause when I'mdriving around folks who are having new carpet theold stuff is on thecurb! or another way is too visit a carpet store that throws there old padding out. This stuff evenresembles a bit of ballast----I'v glued and screwd track on it or not!---just saying----

I put Homasote on top of the plywood and I have to say it works great....well worth the effort and additional cost 

I'm working on construction of my newest layout.  This time i spent the extra money on using Homasote on top of the ply.  I agree with previous poster on it being well worth the extra dollars.  If definitely makes the layout quieter.

Homasote!  Screw the track into the homasote only.

Side Rod

My personal favorite is still Midwest Cork Roadbed.

I tried using the vinyl roadbed.  It absolutely works and is easier to work with then cork.  But what I didn't like about the vinyl material is that gives very easily when the screws I use to secure the track start to "bite" into my plywood.  Not paying enough attention to this yielded high and low spots in my track.

The cork will not give in this manner so I find it much more consistent to work with.

But, whether it's vinyl or cork roadbed, they both quiet things down a LOT.

Best of luck.

One other nice thing about the cork roadbed is that it can be easily shaped with a wood rasp. So, maybe you put to much glue under it in one spot and left a lump in the roadbed, or you cross a seam in the plywood which is not quite even, you can easily use the rasp to smooth out any irregularities.

Depends on what type of layout you're building.

For a post-war type layout where operating accessories are to be employed, I would cover the entire surface with whatever you plan to use as a sound deadener.  It will allow you to place your accessories on the table without having to shim them.  

On a layout where you want more realistic scenery, then I would say go with roadbed under the track alone.   

When using Homasote it does not matter what roadbed you want to use...the homasote is used to deaden the sounds and vibrations from your trains....whatever you wish to place on top of that will only improve the process...I wouldn't dwell on this too much....put the homasote down....then think more about what roadbed you want to use .....that for me was a much tougher decision to make....and you didn't get to track yet ....enjoy!!!

I built a medium sized layout in the 1980s / 90s.  This was before the forums like this one so I did not have so much information.  I read about homosote in a magazine and used it.  However, I did not know that people used it over plywood and I put it on the bench work without a plywood top.  It worked fine.  The plywood seems like an unnecessary extra step.  Of course you cannot stand on it, but I never needed to.  The placement of braces underneath is highly relevant to prevent warping, but the layout was up for a decade without any issue.

Bill

Hodge posted:

Hi,

I have just completed my train table. I just wanted to know if you recommend putting anything between the plywood and the tracks? If not, do you recommend painting the plywood prior to starting, or just paint as I go.

Thanks,

Brian

I did it both ways. I put tracks directly on the plywood and it was VERY noisy.

On my second layout (different room) I bought an indoor/outdoor grass carpet and cut it to fit on top of my plywood tables. The track noise was SIGNIFICANTLY reduced.

I would not waste time painting the plywood !

Speaking of roadbed on plywood, I'll be using a lot of the older Johnson rubber roadbed with my 0-31 tubular.  Will that stuff stay put without using track screws?

     Hoppy

I have a lionel fastrack layout, and have put carpet underpad on to of the plywood table top. I painted the underpad a light brown earth colour, then sprinkled with ground foam when the paint was still wet to give a grass/dirt like look. Works well for me and allows me to make changes to the track plan without any scenery issues. I can hide the track connecting wires under the underpad, to keep the wiring simple and easily movable.

the pictures above show one town before and after buildings were placed on top of the carpet underpad.

this method is great if you keep changing your layout as you lean and grow with the hobby. My layout design is now close to mature and unchanging, however I keep moving sidings to create space for buildings, etc as needed. Sometimes I see a great building or operating accessory that I must have, and am usually able to find a way to fit it on the layout.

Just something to ponder:  At some point, you may want to ask yourself just how flammable is whatever you are using underneath your track.......

I'm building an around the room layout now and since the widest part is 30" (with in reach) I'm using 2" rigid foam board over 1/2" plywood.  The track will go directly on top of the foam board w/o a road bed.  I built my 4 x 8 Christmas layout the same way and it's pretty quiet.

Thank you all for your wonderful feedback! I truly appreciate it. One last question... Should I put the Homasote on top of the entire piece of plywood or just under the track? Does anybody have a pic of Homasote or what type to get. Also, where can I get it from?

In Baltimore it's available at Home Depot, Lowes and most lumber yards.

HOMASOTE

I put the Homasote right on top of the plywood....cutting it creates a lot of dust.....the less you have to cut the better off you are....in addition to that I have modified my layout several times...so laying the homasote on top the plywood allowed me to change the layout while still keeping the plywood covered with the homasote in place....my table is 6x12 and I am using Atlas track with several switches and sidings...so far everything has turned out pretty good and reliable....

Thanks! Would shelf liner work. This way, I can just roll it out. It would make things a lot easier. 

Never heard of anyone using that...try it out...if it does not cost much you don't have a lot to lose...

Hodge posted:

Thanks! Would shelf liner work. This way, I can just roll it out. It would make things a lot easier. 

I don't think the cork shelf liner is thick enough to be of any use.  You might consider Celotex 2 X 4 ceiling tiles from Lowes or Home Depot.