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

Just go to the Homasote website, where to buy and type in your city and state!!

When ever this subject comes up, I always say to myself why bother?  Use foam road bed under the track from Woodland scenic and be done with it.  Don't waste your money.   That stuff is a pain in the neck to use as I remember it when my father built a layout in the 70's. 

plywood, foam roadbed, track, that's it,  and it's not noisy.

Concerning Homosote; I had some experience with it, back in the mid to late 1950s, when I modeled in HO. NEVER AGAIN!  

For the current 3RS layout, we used 3/4" thick roofing plywood with Hobby Innovations "Flexxbed", which is re-processed vinyl, 3/8" thick for the main lines and 1/4" thick for the yard & sidings, glued directly to the plywood.  

Interesting that this subject comes up every few months. Some thoughts: To find where to buy it go to the Homasote website - not exactly rocket science. Why look for or ask about substitutes? If you're not committed to using cork, foam, or vinyl, remember Homasote has been used for over 60 years by model railroaders. Why try to re-invent the wheel? There used to be a product called "Homa-bed" which made nice beveled roadbed that was easily shaped to any radius curve. The stuff saved a lot of messy cutting. The company has been sold a few times, and it might not still exist - Google it; that's not hard is it?  I used it when i built my layout 25+ years ago - great stuff. For the yards and other large flat expanses i used sheets of it. On 1" x 2" framing (16" squares) with 1/4" ply and then Homastote it supports my 225 Lbs. I see some of the layouts that people build here, and can't believe how over-built the benchwork is. Expecting an earthquake, or own shares of stock in a lumber company?? End of rant!!

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.

It is at least as absorbant as homosote. takes woodland scenics pins easily and holds screws.  screws will be temporary.  

By the way. I tested track layout on just plywood and then plywood with woodland scenics trackbed. still too noisy. I plan to use woodland scenics trackbed over the sound board. just laying the sound board on the plywood makes a huge difference in the acoustics in the basement. 

You are referring to "soundboard" I see from you previous post.    Does it absorb the train's noise satisfactorily?

Our last two posts went out at the same time.  Thanks for the info

On my previous layout, I used pink insulating foamboard (R-3, 1/2" thickness). It worked well for absorbing the sound. Painting it required acrylic spray paint, as the latex paint didn't work well when I test painted a spot. The stuff I bought had a clear film over it that had to be removed before painting. If you go this route, leave the film in place while cutting the board to fit your layout, then remove the film before painting. It cuts easily with an x-acto style knife.

Great insights, thanks.  I imagine one could carve out a small stream on this material  and then paint it using accepted methods to give the stream depth and realism, correct?   I really don't want to paint a smooth surface since, again, that's one dimensional so that's why I'm interested in carving out the stream from a suitable material

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

Thanks Joe for the clarification.   I confess my lack of experience may cause me to confuse sound board with foam but now I understand the difference.

Homasote is hands down the best soundproof material to put under track.  It is a PITA to cut.   If you have more dollars than patience, look at Homabed.  It is a precut and kerfed homasote roadbed.   Cost is $11 for an 8 foot length.

I used the HO version of it in the 80s and found it easy to use.

Bob

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.

From what I searched, there is NO such product called Homacote.  What you may have seen was someone else’s typo, when actually referring to “Homasote”, which happens to be made locally, within 5 miles of me, in Trenton, NJ.  Other references to Homobed/Homabed, as being a product made by Homasote, are also wrong.

Sorry for mis-reading this threads Question, however, it’s the very best sound board insulator, (compressed cardboard), Available. It is not perfectly level, or should I say flat. After sealing the surface with paint, when laying track, you will need to level your track to prevent dips. I used cork roadbed under Atlas O and Ross Chstom trackage, and used cardboard under the cork to level the rail. You can come to my train room, put 4 long trains, passenger and freight, and turn off all the sounds, it Quiet....Personally I do not recommend blue or pink styrofoam board, possibly homabed, but I do recommend Homasote. 

I like Homasote, I have used Homasote and plan t use it on my new layout.

Homabed was NEVER made by the Homasote Company, but rather is a separate product composed of (made from) Homasote. Originally made in Kingston, NY, by a company called Homabed (long since closed), then by a company called  California Roadbed on the west coast (now closed), and now by a company called Cascade Rail Supply in Puyallup, WA. In all instances the product was (is) made from milled sheets of Homasote and is not a full 1/2" thick. If you're inclined to make your own here's a good article; http://housatonicrr.com/DIY_Roadbed.htm.
Hope this clears things up.

Has no one tried the NovaCork/Homosote bonded sheet I mentioned above?  I would be interested to hear if anyone has.

Thank you,

David

One of the original uses of Homasote, (for the Old Timers), were Bulletin Boards, in schools.  I would venture a guess, that back in the 40's & 50's, some Model Train hobbyist, thought it might be a good use for layouts, as a sound deadener.  That is merely a wild guess, as it's use in model trains.