TOP OF BENCHWORK

Some use homasote. I personally am using pink insulation foam.

I used 1" foam with ceiling tile on top.. The tile helped with noise and I can dig down for scenery.

If you can find it, there is product called Upson Board.    It was available in 3/16 and 5/16 thick sheets when I bought it.   It is pressed paper like Homosote, but much denser and firmer.      It cuts to a smooth edge with a saw.    Guys around here introduced me to it when I started building and I really like it.   It holds spikes or nails better and does not seem to absorb moisture and distort as much as homosote.     I have also heard there is thinner than 1/2 think homosote, but I have not seen it.

Thanks I’ll look around

I used 3/8" thick rubber anti-fatigue matting from Lowes:

Easily cut with a box knife or bandsaw.  I've applied ground cover since these photos but haven't taken any more yet.  I drew my layout onto the plywood top, then stapled the rubber onto it.  Then I drilled holes and used small zip-ties to fasten the track down.  Just don't pull the zip-ties too tight or you'll bend the plastic ties.

I simply used a whole roll (well, a couple of rolls) to do the yard area, but cut strips for the mainline and sidings.  Lowes use to have it on a "cut by the foot" roll but last time I got it they only had 5ft lengths.  Brand name was something like BlueHawk.

I only used 1/2" plywood and there is a tiny bit of noise so I would suggest 3/4" plywood.

here's some more recent photos:

The sides of the rubber were "ballasted" by using spray cans of Rust-Oleum Stone paint:

I taped over the rails and anything I didn't want to get the spray paint on.  Practice first and take your time, do not get in a rush.

And if you really get froggy, apply the paint BEFORE you apply the track, that way the ballast will look like it's in between the ties too.  I didn't want to use real ballast because IMO it negates all the stuff you've done to make it quiet in the first place.  And it's a nuisance.

I used 1/2" Homasote, it's over 1/2" birch mutli-ply.

1/2 “ Homa on 1/2” plywood.  

I am in the homasote group too, not sure where the issue arose that homasote absorbs moisture and distorts, I have not had that issue at all.   If you plan on digging down, I can see where the foam has advantages but I don't have any serious excavation!

I have a portable tinplate table layout so used foam for less weight. The old timers just used homosote (or cork) roadbed. They didn't cover all the bench work, since it would be scenicked. Plus the roadbed made the track look like it was in a raised bed of ballast. No need to cover the entire table unless your layout is a flat tinplate one.