Carpet pad

Trying it now. I have the densest material I could find. Gives good track support, but is a bear to cut. I've dulled one set of scissors already.  Tried a snap-off blade knife with limited luck. The scissors worked better. I plan to glue it to the table top and will paint it before laying any track or adding ballast. As to how effective this is, the jury is still out.

Chris

LVHR

I have used carpet pad on my previous layouts and also my current one. I just roll cheapo flat latex paint over it and let it dry for a day or two. It absolutely reduces track noise by a wide margin, plus I really like the way it looks.John

I have it too, best I think for reducing noise. I haven't ballasted it yet, don't know it that will make it more noisy. You have to cut out a small hole in the padding before you drill a hole for feeder wires or it will wrap around the drill.

I've had success with it on a previous layout.  Quick, easy, inexpensive.  Might make more sense for a temporary layout than a permanent one.

I had no issues cutting it easily with a giant old vintage pair of shears...

I use it & without a doubt it will cut down on train noise. If you're looking to reduce noise for your layout almost anything is better than track on plain plywood. On my permanent basement layout I use Jute carpet padding & Woodland Scenics "TRACK-BED". I have used 2 basic types on my Xmas layouts, Jute carpet padding or the inexpensive foam padding. All work well. I recommend a utility knife for cutting either type of padding with scrap plywood for a cutting surface, if not directly on the layout.

Painting the foam, gluing ballast or screwing the track into the plywood beneath will decrease the sound deadening properties somewhat.  The point of the foam is to create a minimal amount of float between the track & the plywood, but not so much that the track is unstable. I'd think not more than a 1/2" thickness of padding.

For years I've been wanting to do a scientific test having the track transition from one surface to the next, but haven't been motivated. I have experimented from one layout to the next, over the years though. Since I'm happy with what I use now, keeps me from bothering to experiment.

Thanks to all who replied to my questiomn concerning carpet padding as a layout sound damping medium.

No problem. Maybe you'll be the one to experiment & post your results.

Good luck & enjoy the ride!

Joe

The material I used is very similar to this. I decided to paint it mainly to cut down on moisture absorption when I glue the ballast down. I figure that may hurt the sound absorption a bit, but is better than water soaked, moldy foam.

Chris

LVHR