FasTrack PART DEUX: SOUND DEADENING--Here we go AGAIN!

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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The problems of old seem to be rearing their ugly heads with regards to FasTrack. I am of course speaking of SOUND DEADENING.

My wife listened to a small loop of this track I have set up on my bare plywood train table and she is of the opinion that it is the PLASTIC making this loud noise, not the metal rails. I am going to experiment with putting things under this new track and see what good it does. I can already tell you that vinyl roadbed does NOTHING–not to mention it looks goofy because it is too thick.

I know in the other thread I started there is mention of using spray insulation. I don’t think you’d want to do that. It will cover the power terminals and may cause a fire. Not to mention it will alter the track forever.

BTW, the old school thought that it is the TRACK SCREWS that send the vibration down to the table is not correct. It makes NO difference with TUBULAR track or FasTrack. TRY IT! Take a LOOP of track and put it on your train table. Don’t fasten it down. What do you hear? That’s right. Noise.

I think the suggestion from the other thread of the insulation being needed UNDER the table is good, but I think under the TRACK is easier. Once again, I’ll let you know what my experiences are.

One thing is for certain: I am not changing all my old tubular track for FasTrack until I find a solution for this LOUD, LOUD noise. My current layout uses vinylbed under tubular and it (the sound) is tolerable. But with FasTrack, you may as well save your RAILSOUNDS 4.0 or even 5.0 money for something else, because you’ll never hear those sounds clearly at even 3/4 impulse power Mr. Sulu!

And that’s a fact by Jack. <O

ATJ

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I think the underside of the fast track does need filled in. I think the void creates a drum effect. I thought of cutting foam insulation board to fit underneath. I have to confess I bought for my daughters because I have no room for perminate layout and it keep track high enough off of the carpet in my living room so debris sush as dog hair wont get in the locamotive or on top side of track.

Carpenter Matt

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There have been a lot of discussions about train noise lately, not just with respect to Fastrack, but in general as well. Maybe the secret is to not let it bounce and echo.

What about some thin pieces of foam rubber, inside the cavities under the track. And if you are using a plywood topped table, place some larger pieces in the open spaces under there. I haven’t tried either idea, but I thought that it might work, and I haven’t seen anyone mention that material before.

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I had a loop of Fastrack setup at Christmas time. Placing some cotton and felt underneath reduced the noise of it. I agree with BigBoy: try maybe anchoring the track to the table top.

The size of the room can have an effect on the sound level.