The kids have moved out and I plan to bulid a medium size layout in the basement. It also serves as a family (boob tube) room , I currently have a fastrack oval mounted on 2 inch foam but plan on using tube track on my next layout. I want to use a plywood top but I want to deaden the sound. Extruded foam is plentiful here but I’ve only found Homasote in 2x4 handy panels. What can I do to soften the noise . The layout will be about 6x13, and I want to build a solid base.
why not cut the homasote to suit your needs.
another idea, which I’ve never tried, and perhaps others could comment on, would be to get yourself a bunch of ceiling tiles and scribe and break those up for someroad bed.
cork is the other alternative, although there are probably other mediums that are quiet.
The tubes themselves are hollow so you won’t get a perfect quiet. Soooo, just crank up the noise of the engine sounds or if that’s not possible, crank up your stereo, maybe Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison song.
I just purchased 4’x8’ 1/2" sheets of Homosote at my local Home Depot. It was kind of pricy, however it certainly cuts down the noise and hopefully I will not have to do it again. The plywood acts as a sounding board. The layout is 8x13. My track is Atlas.
Sam Karpel
thanks for the info
I have never heard a train run on tube track mounted on plywood that I can remember. The only o layout I’ve seen run aroud here is the Muskegon,Mich.Railroad Historical Society. and I was so impressed that I never even noticed the noise. While I am waiting to fini***he the basement, (new drop ceiling,paint and lighting). maybe I will try various table tops. Has anyone had sucess mounting tube track on extruded foam? I think a major problem is I had an Nscale layout on foam and I’m comparing the two noise levels
My whole layout is on foam. Drywall screws hold the track in place. I use MTH RealTrax and have never had a problem.