Deadening Sounds Between Track and Plywood

[C&NW]

Hello and happy Friday! I know there are several options out there but what have you found to be the best method (or material) for deading the sound between track and plywood? I use the Fastrack system by Lionel.  Thanks much. Paul

[dwiemer]

Paul,

     I have Fastrack and have put sill seal foam insulation directly under the track.  I then have caulk between the trackbed, over the edge of the sill seal, and to the extruded foam that I have over the plywood.  Track noise is not bad to my ears.  I am not sure how effective each part of my method is, but in my personal testing, it did make a good reduction over just the Fastrack on the extruded foam.

Dennis

[KRM]

I too am ready for some kind of noise reduction material before I install my ground cover vinyl mat.

Yesterday at Menards I was looking at foam sheets when I saw some material they use under steel roof or steel siding that caught my eye.

It is 4’ x 50’ ¼" thick foam that is flexible and cost about $30.00. I am thinking it would be a nice way to soften the tabletop and also cut down on noise. It looks easy to install and cut so you may want to look into it. I am using tubular track on my layout.

I have not got anything yet because I went on a buying binge already this month and I have to wait till  next month before I get anything else.

Tks,

Kevin

[Anonymous]

The key is to NOT attach the track to the plywood. Therefore, whatever you use will need to be thick enough and rigid enough to hold the track screws. Personally I like the 2'x4' ceiling tiles. They aren't very heavy, cover a great bit of area, are easy to cut, etc. The only area I don't like them is when covering curves - a lot of waste - but I use these scraps to build cliff faces.

If you are using 4x8 plywood and only having a level surface, then the 4'x8' sheets of pink or blue foam available from Home Depot or Lowes would probably be better for you.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I use 1/8" foam underlayment available at major building stores like HomeDepot or Lowes.  Makes a large difference in the sound level.

 

Fastrack is pretty noisy.

[AF53]

Never tried it myself but a couple of years back I put down a new floor in my kitchen. Just like pergo. The underlayment can be bought at Home Depot, 100 sq ft for $25.50. Easy to cut also.

SimpleSolutions Soundbloc Foam

Covers 100 square feet

2 mm sound reducing underlayment

Can be used on concrete subfloors with Moisturbloc film

Ray

[C&NW]

Thanks all for the several suggestions.  Sounds like a trip to the hardware store is the next step.  Enjoy the weekend. Paul

[gunrunnerjohn]

Same stuff I use Ray, works great.

[jwse30]

I like the look of a painted plywood table, so I added 1/2" foam under the plywood. I cut it to fit between the 2x4 "joists", and glued it to the underside of the table. I use cork roadbed, which cuts the noise a little, and I use rubber ties from 3r Plastics, which is supposed to cut the noise as well. The track is secured by using the cabletie method, which is to thread an 1/8" tie through the hole of the track tie and cinching it up from underneath with another cable tie. Having the foam under the table helps to get the cable ties tight. On a side note, I also use the cable ties to secure my crossing gates and a few other accessories.

I think the best sound deadening though, and  I have yet to complete this, is to "wall" off the area under the table with either thick curtains, or shelving. I think using ceiling tiles instead of the blue foamboard would have worked better... maybe next time. I've heard of people putting thick weatherstripping inside the ties so the track is resting on that instead of the ties. 

 

J White

[msbsouthpaw]

This has been an interesting thread for a "newb" like me to follow.  How are you all affixing the foam to plywood platforms? 

Thanks for the information. 

[balidas]

appropriate adhesive.

[C&NW]

BTW, on a different subject, I posted 4 photos from my layout in the Reader's Photos section of the Community drop down menu.  See C&NW.  Feedback (good or bad) welcome.  Thanks.

[Deputy]

Okay...I'm weird. I actually LIKE the sound of trains on Fastrack directly on plywood.

[msbsouthpaw]

I just finished layering my plywood platform.  I used a layer of the foam underlayment for hardwood floors, covered w/ green felt.  I test ran several trains on fastrack on it, and the noise-reduction surpassed my expectations.  I secured the layers w/ a staple gun.  For a novice, I was happily surprised at how well it turned out. 

Matt