Project 303 - next steps

[Cen]

So,

  Thanks to some sound advice from the people here, I now have most of my track running 'ok'.

 

I have 2 really basic newbie questions (I've dug through the boards here but these questions appear so basic I can't see them being asked before)  :

 

1. I'm using Kato Unitrack. Do I put something under it ? In my trolling through other boards, people talk about putting cork tiles or track underlay underneath to deaden the noise.

 

2. What's the best way to secure it ? I see glue, pins and 'just leave it alone' as options in various places.

 

I have about 2-3 million more questions but I'll hold them for now!

 

Cheers,

  Cen.

[SubwayHypes]

yea man definately secure your track, i went the cheap way and am paying for it now with power loss, etc.

 

i would use a good cork wood or something solid.

 

i used cardboard strips from all the EMS boxes from japan and it is not working too well. i used tacks and nails for supports and they SUCK because the cardboard doesnt even hold them in correctly.

 

i might have to tear down my layout and rebuild the supports which i am NOT looking forward too.

[Martijn Meerts]

Kork doesn't work too well for isolation really, what I've seen done a lot these days is to use a very thin layer of foam. In Europe that type of foam is often used underneith wood tile floors.

 

If you do use something to dampen the noise, make sure you don't use nails or screws to fasten the track. If you do, the noise will travel from the track, through the nail straight into the wood underneath, which basically makes any kork or foam useless.

[Bernard]

Cen - You don't have to use cork roadbed for Unitrack, that is used mostly for Flex track or sectional track like Altas, Peco, etc. tracks that don't have a roadbeds attached to it. Unitrack is designed with the roadbed as part of the track.

 

When I do my benchwork I like to finish it off by putting 2" insulated foam board on top. It deadens the sound and what is also neat about it is that you can carve lakes, rivers, valleys, etc. into it by using a regular kitchen knife (don't tell the wife though)

 

Take a look at some of the Personal Projects platform and see how some members used foam board. You can get it at Lowe's, Home Depot or any lumber yard.

[alpineaustralia]

My unitrack sits unfastened and without anything underneath without any problems at all.

[grumbeast]

On the main layout the unitrack sits unfastened, but on my small 6x2.5 I just used a bead of white glue to tack it down, its easy to remove if you need to.  I put a layer of the dense pink foam beneath it, mainly for creating scenery rather than noise reduction and I don't really notice a difference.

 

I'm biased, but I would say don't bother to put anything underneath, I hated track laying and ballasting until I discovered unitrack and I figure why give up one of its huge advantages.

 

Graham

[Bernard]

My unitrack sits unfastened and without anything underneath without any problems at all.

 

Alpine - Did you ever wonder where your 5-year old puts his old chewing gum?

[Mudkip Orange]

using a regular kitchen knife (don't tell the wife though)

 

This seems counter-productive to me. If you let slip that you're using kitchen knives, she might buy you a hot wire foam cutter so you'll stop raiding the silverware drawer.

[alpineaustralia]

Alpine - Did you ever wonder where your 5-year old puts his old chewing gum?

 

He wouldnt dare!!!!