Would carpet padding be a very good substitute for homosite?

[dbaker48]

Any opinions?

[fifedog]

No.

[Anonymous]

Don,
No.  The reason being carpet padding is not dense like homasote and therefore you can not screw into the carpet padding and secure your track to it.  Also, homasote and ceiling tiles deaden the sound more due to their denser construction, carpet padding would simply be a filler inside FasTrack.

Brent

[dbaker48]

THANKS GUYS !!!   I didn't think so, but thought it would be good to ask, otherwise I probably would have regretted it.  BTW the previous layouts I have had has been nothing more than a table with indoor/outdoor carpeting.  So I'm setting out on a whole new adventure.  Will have many many more "dumb" questions.

 

Thanks Again !! 

[chuck]

Not to be too contrary, BUT, there are types of carpet padding that would make a good sub bed.  The solid foam (not recycled chunks in webbing) will act as a decent sound deadener and the stuff is much lighter in weight than Homasote.  You don't want to use screws to attach the stuff.  Use glue to attach the foam to the plywood and either more glue or something like cable ties to attach the track.  The quietest set up I've ever "not heard" was track on carpet padding topped by a low profile medium pile Berber carpet.  All you could hear was the clickty clack as the wheels crossed over the track joints.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I think we often forget the most logical way to deaden sound which is to add mass to eliminate high frequency vibrations.  I think carpet padding would work much better than foam but not as well as homosite.   Styrofoam (being so light) will isolate vibrations but probably not deaden sound near as much.  Next Layout I build I am going with the carpet padding. 

Jim H 

[traindaddy1]

No.

  (From personal experience!)

[Anonymous]

I agree with the "no" responses--especially if you're planning a permanent layout.  Carpet padding may work well enough on a temporary layout, or even on a permanent layout that was designed for more of a "toy train" look, but I would sure go with Homasote if I wanted a pike loaded with scenic features and which I planned to keep for a good while.

[kpolak]

I think we often forget the most logical way to deaden sound which is to add mass to eliminate high frequency vibrations.  I think carpet padding would work much better than foam but not as well as homosite.   Styrofoam (being so light) will isolate vibrations but probably not deaden sound near as much.  Next Layout I build I am going with the carpet padding.

I think you're on to something...

I am planning/building my layout as we speak, and went the homasote route on the prior layout.  This proved to be too heavy for my situation, so I am looking for another solution.

What if the carpet pad, isolated the foam from any plywood or structure, and the foam is kept in place with the side boards.  Would this deaden the sound, and provide a fastening surface for the trackwork?

Another idea was to install medium density closed cell foam to the underside of the metal ties.  This should deaden the sound, but track clips are needed to secure the track.  Also, I haven't been able to find a retail supplier of this material.

Kurt

[chuck]

All you need to do to isolate the noise is to isolate the track.  You could use small rubber bushings to isolate the track screws from the track itself.  You can also put shock absorbing material under the ties.  This is probably more expensive than Homasote, but also a lot lighter.  Homasote does a nice job of deadening sound (it's what it's made for) but it isn't the only way to stop noise.

[c50truck]

Don,

Interesting question. As was mentioned earlier, there are many types of carpet padding. Some of the higher end products are very dense. A substitute for Homosite?; Not likely. A alternative, or quieter medium?; Possibly.

I would not discount it.

Rod l.

 

[riverrailfan]

only with fastrack

[Jumijo]

I used 2" foam on top of plywood for our FasTrack layout. The sound is not deadened much if at all and is quite loud. If I had it to do over again, I would install a layer or 2 of Homosote on top of the foam.

Jim 

[fifedog]

Why not just buy cork roadbed?  It would deaden the sound, especially when everything is screwed down. 

I use JOHNSON Rubber roadbed on K-Line tubular track, screwed down directly to the plywood.  My layout is fully sceniced, and that has something to do with sound reduction as well.