New Layout: Toy Train vs Modeled Realism using Flexxbed

IC Gulf posted:

Building a new simple, small layout, 12 x 13. I have not had many prior layouts and they have all been toy-train-like with the obligatory green felt. However, I admire all of the modeled realism that so many have done. Especially those that have incorporated the post-war Lionel accessories into scenes. Having not developed scenery skills, I am a little concerned to just jump in. I like to change my track design from time to time and not willing to make a mess with glue, water, etc to ballast, I plan on using Lionel tubular (because I have it) with 3R Plastic ties, laid on Flexxbed, stone spray-painted to resemble ballast. My questions are:

1. Will the Flexxbed hold the paint and look decent ?

Once the track was in place, I spray painted the rails, ties and the Flexxbed. Seemed to work quite well, especially after I cleaned the Rust-O-Leum paint off the top of the rails. Although I did ballast everything, the painted Flexxbed did look OK.

2. If I screw the track and Flexxbed in place, will using rubber grommets/washers help decrease the transfer of sound to the plywood via the screws ?

I don't think so, since the screws penetrating the wood should transfer the noise right through the Flexxbed. We glued all the Flexxbed in place, then laid all the track with glue and screws. Later after all the glue was set, I removed all the screws.

  Or am I wasting money buying Flexxbed for noise avoidance if I run screws thru it ?

Yes, in my opinion.

3. Preferred color(s) as a latex paint base coat for the plywood ? 

I would think the color selected would be dependent on what you want it to look like, i.e. green for grassy areas, brown for dirt areas, black for engine terminal and yard areas, etc..

I keep saying screws because I want to easily switch track design and glue would be a mess to deal with.  Or is this all just a bad idea if I am not willing to commit to an all-out ballasted model and go back to green felt instead ?

Well,,,,,,,,you said it!

Any suggestions appreciated. 

EDIT.

I forgot to add, there is nothing wrong with operating "toy trains" (pre-war or post-war), on nicely weathered and ballasted track, no mater what type/brand it is. In my opinion, all that bright shining track tends to detract from the view of the trains running, i.e. weathered track tends to "disappear" so that the viewer REALLY sees the trains & scenery/structures.