FasTrack Newbie

#4 woodscrews will do the job. If your putting it on plywood put something between the track  and plywood. My layout is a 10x 16' fastrack layout, and while it is not technically a "sound deadoner" the pink insulation sheets do wonders for reducing the noise dramatically. Its cheap comes in 1/2" -2" thicknesses and is easy to cut to size. Its also nice because it allows you to cut creeks, ponds etc into the layout.

Hi Paul,

Fastrack is easy to work with.

*  Sound/noise - there have been many discussions on this board.  Just lay down carpet or felt beneath the Fastrack and you will be fine.

*  Any track section can be a power feed section - a very nice feature.

*  I like to use wider-diameter sections going into my curves as easements.

*  I like to use HO and N cork roadbed beneath my track - this helps with noise, but also give just the right amount of superelevation.  N roadbed half on the inside of the curve, HO roadbed half on the outside of the curve.  Straight-tangent track I run HO cork halfs along each edge of the fastrack.  I then paint or cover the cork roadbed with grass or scenery or the Woodland Scenic grass mats.  Really looks great.  [If you run the HO and N cork roadbed halves beneath the Fastrack, you no longer need the carpet or felt for sound.]

Have fun - Ken

I use 3 1/2" wide sill foam from my local big box store. IF you use screws, don't cinch them up tight. You also don't need to put a screw in every available hole. One screw every few pieces should be fine.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_13280-46086-108942_0__?productId=3363030&Ntt=sill+foam

I use 3 1/2" wide sill foam from my local big box store.

Do you use a single layer, or double it up?

  --Joe

#4 panhead sheetmetal screws. Drill the hole where you want to fasten the screws with an 1/8" bit, to slightly enlarge the hole to prevent the screw from grabbing the track.

@ Rick-O and Ken, so the FasTrack is noisy and it's not just me. I did the same thing as MilwRdPaul this Christmas on Homosote 440 and the family could not even talk at normal levels when the train was running at medium to high speed. I found specific sound deadening foam that I was going to put under for the new build.

Gilly, does the sill foam do the trick?

Should I start a new thread on this noise issue. I'm kinda hi-jacking MilwRdPaul's 

My fastrack is not noisy with DCS running, but as soon as I fire up the conventionals, it gets loud.

I got foam with an adhesive back from the hardware store and applied this to the cavity under the fastrack.  The foam I got is in the weatherstrip area of the store, and it's intended use is for camper shells placed on pickup trucks.  It's wide enough you can do 8-10 pieces of track for 5 bucks.  After I filed the void with this foam I applied a few layers of duct tape to the underside of the track to further fill in and isolate the empty space where the sound used to resonate.  One layer of foam and 2 layers of tape fill it flush with the bottom of the track.  This does make the track quieter.  I have 4 circuits of fastrack on my 9 x 6 layout and they don't move around under use.  I only secured it where it goes into tunnels just to be safe.  I drilled a hole half way into the plywood base and then tapped in a finishing nail with the head cut off.  This completely prevents the track from moving side to side, but does not pull it down onto the wood.  Plus you can lift the track up easily.  Prior to this I did screw some track down and that significantly amplifies the sound.  I could hear a much stronger and deeper noise when trains would traverse the screwed down area vs just held in place with the headless nail.  The beauty of this sound deadened fastrack is it works well enough in a "permanent" layout, but you can change track design easily enough and use it for play with kids on the floor as well.  Other methods with spray products for sound deadening would work but can be messier.  The foam and duct tape method is easy and does not come apart if kids play with it on the floor.  Just my 2 cents.  Arlo

Arlo, that foam make sense that it works. It's a high density type. I forgot about that stuff. I used it for a strap-down cargo carrier for the car roof to prevent paint damage.

Hmmm, out to the garage for some test samples.

Thanks. 

A few layers of duct tape also seems to add to the density of the whole package.  You can use the cheaper tape since it's not really holding anything.  It's amazing how the track feels heavy and substantial when you are done instead of plastic and noisy.  I noticed a difference after adding the tape. 

I also for got to mention that my entire table top is insulated with hardwood floor underlayment.  The cheaper brand at homedepot has a very earth-like wrinkled texture on one side.  After adding paint, grass, and textured scenery stuff it's not completely quiet, but it's significantly better than fastrack right out of the box.