Hi everyone, i was wondering if anyone ever tried or used carpet tiles as ballast and noise reducer on their layouts
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24 x 24 Interlocking foam tiles work well. Never tried carpet tiles.
John
Hi John, I was thinking of cutting tile into strips to fit under each section of track
Do some research and choose wisely. What goes under the track is one of the first decisions you need to make and just about the hardest one to fix if you get it wrong. This is not where you want to save a few bucks.
Lots of cutting and fitting with tiles. GRJ's roadbed is great. I use cork and Homabed with equal results. I have used gym matting but then again, lots of fitting, lots of time. Time expense is al too easy to overlook.
is it really necessary to use something under the track for noise?
Depends on your hearing, I suppose.
Greg,
I suggest running a test. If you can obtain/purchase some carpet squares, ones you can return if you don't use, set up a run of track with and without the carpet squares underneath. See if that makes any difference to you. You do not have to cut the squares for the test, your just trying to determine if there's a difference in sound/noise.
Beyond that, try cutting a square to fit under your track as you envision. For example, the width of the track plus a little more. This might tell you how much effort is involved and may change your overall work calculus a bit.
Good luck.
thanks for the great advise
The benefit to putting any sound dampening between your track and the sub-surface is negated by any mechanical fasteners as the sound will transfer through them. Just FYI if you don't already know that. Carpet tile will certainly work. I got a lot of remnant pieces from a carpet rep and used it on the floor of my train room. It did not need any adhesive as it is rubber backed. The question is how you would adhere your track to the carpet tile.
It is an interesting idea!
Why not just put in cork roadbed, glued in place? I’ve also used homasote as a sub roadbed on top of the plywood base. The added layer makes wiring a little more difficult, but not terribly so.
the sound will transfer thru nails or screws no matter what you use to dampen noise--so why bother with cork, foam, carpet, or homabed---I guess it's up to your tolerance Greg
@GG1 4877 posted:The benefit to putting any sound dampening between your track and the sub-surface is negated by any mechanical fasteners as the sound will transfer through them. Just FYI if you don't already know that. Carpet tile will certainly work. I got a lot of remnant pieces from a carpet rep and used it on the floor of my train room. It did not need any adhesive as it is rubber backed. The question is how you would adhere your track to the carpet tile.
It is an interesting idea!
Hi GG1 4877, you had mentioned sound transfer with mechanical fasteners---I was wondering is that just metal fasteners or all fasteners----how about a small plastic ty-rap? Greg
I use regular carpet (Thunderstorm is the color) on my entire layout. It looks like ballast. It is held in place with the screws that secure the K Line Super Snap track. The sound of the locomotives far exceeds the sound created by anything else. The cut edges of the carpet get "sealed" with a light passing of a torch.
All of our club modules are made in the same manner. It is the quietest I have ever heard for a layout. (pun-intended! 
)
