Sound and Lionel Fastrack

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have just started collecting Lionel gear in the past 6 months.  I currently live in a small apartment, and don't have room for the huge layout I'm planning!

As a result, I have two loops of Fastrack going around my dining room on the wooden floor.

Its great, however, the fastrack on the floor is noisy!!!!!!!!!!! 

Does anyone have any suggestions on "deadening" the sound from the fast track?  had I known I would have done the old style tube track, and insulated the rails with weatherstripping, or something soft to keep the ties off the wood floor.

Any help is much appreciated!!!

[Hogjaw]

I'm also new to hobby.

Noise is big time issue.

Use the SEARCH MODE on this forum.........a ton of helpful information is available on the subject.

Hope this helps.

Hog

[Anonymous]

There was a thread recently on this topic - I found it and did a reply to get it back to the first page.  There is a new thread also called How To which has links to various topics - I have added the link on there.

Lisa

[mickey4479]

I hestitate to even post this in fear of someone thinking I am disrespecting Lionel fasttrack.  I do not intend to do so. The other thread is full of "information" and some fun.  Those ideas may be helpful.  I enjoyed it because it was informative and fun.  Setting aside installation issues, cost etc., you might consider this which is probably obvious to you already.  Lionel fasttrack and similarly MTH track with the plastic roadbed are hard plastic shells.  The sound of metal wheels on the rails will transfer under, to and through the plastic shells just like a drum.  Screwing track to wood or other surface just transfers the sound to another drum mechanism. (Tried it before) Homasote or other sound deadening board and cork have worked for me using Atlas track on my basement layout.  Atlas track, as you know, has close ties but have no integrated roadbed.  There is noise to be sure, but with homasote and cork or other sound deadening material it disapates (sic?) somewhat more because it is not collected in a hollow plastic shell.  I only know that from my experience with MTH roadbed track that I use on my Christmas floor layout and comparing it with my basement layout using atlas track.  Although I have not tried Lionel or K-Line tubular track, I suspect that absent the plastic roadbed, you would get a quieter experience with those.  I have not helped you at all on the fix for your fasttrack layout, but the other thread is full of experiments.  Good luck and let us know how you do.

[marxalot]

Not to sound simple here but your problem may be easily addressed by getting some sort of inexpensive carpet and putting it under the track. This would help any style track. Now I don't know if you'd have to convince the woman of the apartment of the need for this but if you got a greeninsh carpet you'd be doing scenery work too! K-Mart and Lowe's have nice smaller carpets for student dorm rooms at reasonable prices. Maybe they would work. Of course if you buiild a table then keep reading all those other links! Welcome to the Forums............

Jim

[ChiefEagles]

The man hit it.  Carpet.  Will deaden the sound of track and enigines [if they have sound].  Ran on carpet for 2 years +.  I know.