I’m building a rather simple layout around my bedroom using sectional track. Do people still use cork roadbed, does it dry out or make fumes. My mom says she’s allergic to some cork…??? The benchwork is simple 2x4 and plywood. I can’t spend a lot of $$. Suggestions? Boyd.
I used 1/2 inch pink foam insulation. Very cheap.
That’s a good idea. I use rubber ties under my 027 track and that helps some.
I’m curious about the rationale for sound-deadening (and I’m afraid to ask such a basic question in other places.). I like the ‘roar’ of the engines and train on tubular track. Is it too loud? Something to have to do with layout construction? I don’t have any sound-equipped engines - is it because these sounds are drowned out?
It’s a personal preference, Doug. I also like the sound. My O27 track is screwed directly to 1/2-inch plywood. The only other sounds I have are Lionel air whistles, which actually sound better when you can’t hear the whistle’s motor. (My control scheme allows me to control the whistle-motor’s speed, which makes, I think, for more interesting whistle blowing than on-off control.)
Wow, Bob, so you can adjust the whistle!? That’s neat.
The reason I try to make the noise a little less is I have a two year old daughter, and I run the trains alot at night. Too noisy. It was waking her up!!! So I had to make things quieter. I like the track noise myself, I purposly don’t press the sections of track all the way together, it gives it more of a clickity-clack sound that way when the wheels go over the sections.
There is a retired guy that lives above me and he gets annoyed by noises. I think he is a light sleeper though I don’t run trains late. He just doesn’t talk to me. Boyd.
Hey boyd sounds like he’s jelous… I had a neighbor who was like that. He would bang on the ceiling all the time. I tried to be nice so I asked him if he wanted to try it himself. He was a real miserable old coot, all I got was some was a nasty comment. I’m allowed by law to make noise till 11… guess what, now he hears the noise from 10 to 11 every night without fail. It wasn’t nearly as often before. That didn’t fix the problem but it sure makes me feel better. Next step is a bottle of laxative in his mailbox maybe hes’ got something stuck. I am sure he won’t bother anymore though.
Boyd, I have a shelf layout and 3 kids under the age of 7 so, I needed sound deadeners, since my layout is upstairs in my office, next door to my three year old daughetrs room. I used 3/4" foam weatherstripper that they sell at Home Depot in rolls. I cut it in strips and put 3" pieces under the cross ties of the tubular rail. It was a great suggestion from someone on this forum. I can’t imagine the noise without the wether stripping, since the shelf is nailed right into the studs in the wall that is adjacent to her room. Its a lot less expensive than anything else out there, and provides a nice cushion for the trains to ride on.
I use Woodlands Scenic O scale roadbed.It is easier to apply than cork and deadens sound better. Justrains of Delaware sells it at a reasonable price. It comes in 24 foot roles.
Dale Hz