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We're in the same boat. Recently finished the benchwork for my HO scale layout. It's a 4' by 8', I hope to add grass on top of my foam soon. [quote user="PittBull"] Another newbie layout question. In an earlier post I said I am just starting on a 48x60 N scale plywood benchwork. It's actually 48x72. I have this grass paper from an estate sale that yielded a gold mine of N Scale locos, cars and other "stuff."  My benchwork is painted flat gray. 1. I am trying to decide if I should lay down a layer of foam board to dampen the sound. [/quote] I chose to lay down a layer of 2 inch foam, it seems to dampen sound much better than my sheet of plywood underneath. The big reason I chose to put foam in is because I hope to eventually add a creek in, and cut out other scenery details. Cutting out foam to create a low spot would be easier than cutting through benchwork. The foam gives a landscape that can be very easily sculpted. If your not afraid to spend $20-$35 on foam, wheather to dampen sound or make landscaping easier, you will probably won't regret it. Also, the foam might make for a better adhering surface for the grass sheets. [quote user="PittBull"] 2. If I use the grass paper, I assume it should go down before I mark the track plan.  I have heard that the dye in the grass paper tends to come off on fingers.  Is that correct?  [/quote] If you lay it down before you mark the track plan, you won't have to mark it again. As for the dye staining your hands; I have never had a poblem with dye coming of the small sheets I have (I have not yet bought large quanities or put any down.) Of course, it is likely I have another brand. I recomend preforming a smal test, rub some against your thumb, see if it comes off. If not, good. With grass sheets, I am more worried about it shedding the green fuzz than anything else. Even the "Non shedding stuff" will prove not so by leaving behind a small pile of green. I might sprinkle the grass "powder", for lack of a better term, on wet paint, I have heard that method does not shed. If the grass paper does not fit your needs, something can almost always be found to go right on top of it. Or, it could be cut off/out, something easier done on foam, rather than wood. If this was my desicion: Foam, yes. Grass sheets, yes. But it's your layout, your decision.                                                                         One Newbie to Another,                                                                                           S. Connor.
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