Fastrack noise

[Jack 304]

Hi, I need a little help, hopefully one of you veterans can help. I recently retired and decided to build a small shelf layout using Fastrack. I put an insulating layer of laminate foam down before laying the track. The issue is a high level of noise when running trains. I believe the cause of the noise is the fact that the track and roadbed are hollow underneath thus amplifying the noise from the wheels. Any ideas on how i can quiet things down a bit? Thanks in advance. Jack.

[balidas]

If you mean rigid foam board that won't help. There is a product called sound board made by Celotex you can cut as you need. You can also use strips of carpet

[AF53]

Jack - to the forum!

Check out this thread.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/184054.aspx

It might be of some help to you as many have had this same problem. I just ran my son's Lionel this year under the Christmas tree on carpet and it was ten times noisier than my American Flyer that ran outside his loop.

Good luck

Ray

[Demay]

Jack,

I have Fastrack on my layout and the foam I used does help.  However, mine is not a shelf layout and I do not mind some noise.  You should screw your Fastrack to the foam, but make sure you do not screw all the way through the foam into the wood or would negate the effect of the foam.

I know of others who have used caulking on the underside of the Fastrack to get rid of the hollowness, and some have also glued the Fastrack to the roadbed and kind of sealed it in place.  I have not done that since my layout will need to move every three years.

I hope this helps,

Joe

[rtraincollector]

I have mine presently on carpet on top of carpet ( not fastened down any way) and its load I have said from the word go I plan to use gar-graves track but did this as it was convenient and I had plenty of it lol. I've also notice it depends o which engine is being run on it as my NYC GP-9 2380 is very loud on it where my Williams trainmaster that I put tmcc in isn't loud at all on it. also my SP Berk I got doesn't seem to be loud either. I have been kicking the idea of getting some of the old K-Line snap track that ready made trains is suppose to be remaking some time this year.

[laz 57]

HI JACK, don't say that on a airplane,lol,

    to the forum.  I too have switched to fasttrack, because of having to dismantle my layout over the summer, so I could level out the above kitchen floor.  I use to have both fasttrack and 0-27 tubular track atop of homesote.  I still have the homesote down and it works great as a sound deadener.  I also put 15 lb. felt roofing paper on top of the homesote for roads.  My layout is about 16ft x 16ft.  I run 3 trains on it with about 8-12 cars per train, and have not really noticed too much noise.  But being a wood shop teacher, maybe my hearing is going too?  I really like the fasttrack setup.  Hope this helps?

laz57

[Boyd]

Sil foam seal. Sold in rolls rather cheap. Some is grey/white, others are light blue. Look for it at Lowes, Home Depot, Menards and similar places.