Track underlay

QUOTE (far-lands @ 25 Aug 2008, 12:18) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi there, I have a few questions regarding track underlay.

At the moment I am still making the boards for my layout ( Chipboard ) But soon I will need to get the track down.
I am not looking to recreate the world in all of its detail. I am mainly looking out to reduce noiselevels. I do not want to use the Hornby foam, as It looks crap and just wont last.

I have looked at the gaugemaster Underlay. It sounds good, but it is a but pricey. Will it last ? How durable is it ?
As I live in the fatherland, I could use the NOCH products, but there again I am not sure if Ready ballasted underlay will be the best Idea.
I do NOT want to ballast myself.
What about the points. How do I ballast them if I use the Gaugemaster product.
How is the track fixed to the board ? Noise will just be transferred to the board if I use pins. Is the underlay glued to the board ??

I am creating a layout only using ready to use bits and pieces. I have still got so much stuff as from when I was a Kid that I would like to re-use.
I am using HORNBY track, as I already have quite a bit.

please please any hints or tips will be apreciated.

highwayman

The grey plastic foam used under laminate flooring is available from DIY stores is ideal. It is available in rolls, also the product has a good long life garantee. You can fix it in place with double sided sticky tape and trim to size after the track is fixed in place. It also can be ballasted using PVA, but looses some of its sound deadening properties.

John-Pro

QUOTE (alastairq @ 25 Aug 2008, 14:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>self-adhesive ready ballasted underlays are useful......[OP doesn't want to do his own ballasting]

Good one. I would like a pre ballasted underlay.
I would like to know how the track is fixed to the board and how durable the stuff is.
My layout is in the cellar, so only neon lighting.

I have no experience with underlay, so that is why I am seeking advice.

NOCH seems OK, but a few people have advised me against using it. Is the Gaugemaster underlay more durable ??

What do I do about my points ??

far-lands

I have pondered this issue for quite some time. I have an inside, outside and mobile layout and ballasting is a pain. As has already been mentioned once the glue has hardened the sound will travel to the baseboard. I use Tillig on a mobile layout which means I have to use Tillig track, and Gaugemaster ballast underlay inside and outside. The Gaugemaster product was a godsend to me when it arrived in the shops. I had to get extra long pins to tack the track to the board. When tapping in the pins be careful not to push them in too far as you will create a dip in the track, too high and they can cause difficulties with some types of couplers and they will not look right. Have the top of the pin flush with the sleeper. So you are lucky in that you are using set track it should be relatively easy. However the points are a different issue. I had to trim the product to let them sit flush with the main track and used loos ballast to fill in the gaps. I did not use glue here just brushed it in place. If you like one could use glue. I know it is not the ideal solution but one only has issues with the points. In the absents of anything else it is the best solution especially if you are using Hornby track. It only works on code 100 track. It has a life span of 10 Years. On the outside layout the product is glued to the base and the curves are gentle that the flex track has no problem staying in place. One drawback is that the foam soaks in water and extra time is required to dry it out.
I hope this can be of some assistance to you.

Kauri.

QUOTE (Kauri @ 25 Aug 2008, 19:57) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I have pondered this issue for quite some time. I have an inside, outside and mobile layout and ballasting is a pain. As has already been mentioned once the glue has hardened the sound will travel to the baseboard. I use Tillig on a mobile layout which means I have to use Tillig track, and Gaugemaster ballast underlay inside and outside. The Gaugemaster product was a godsend to me when it arrived in the shops. ............

Kauri.

I think that i will use the Noch or gaugemaster Ballasted underlay. I am still not sure though how I am going to fix the track. Using pins/screws will cause noise to travel trough to the board. Glueing seems so final..... So I think pinning will be the way to go.
But I have also found this:
BUSCH Underlay

I got a pack to test it out. The setback is that the track sits on top and not bedded in like the gaugemaster. But it still seems like a good idea...... points would also be no problem. I could also just fix the track with a few drops of pva to the cork.. hmmm seem like a good idea too.

Back to the drawing board then. I just cant decide........

But I will start posting pictures of my boards as they appear.

far-lands

QUOTE (alastairq @ 26 Aug 2008, 22:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>As has been suggested elsewhere, why don't you try some experimenting..on a small scale [I don't mean Z gauge, either]......a piece of chipboard, some odd lengths of track, and try out different makes of ballast, and combinations of glues or pins.....back-to-back,see which you prefer?

seems like a good Idea.

I bought a pack of the BUSCH underlay and it looks ok with the HORNBY track.
But now I have to look for somewhere where I can get a piece of the NOCH underlay.

The NOCH seems to be the better option @ the moment, as I can use double sided tape to secure the underlay down to the board. The Track will be secured with a few drops of PVA. But I will still take a look at the gaugemaster.

I suppose it is a small dilemma here, as I would like the best I can get, but also the simplest.
In Germany you would say I want a "Eierlegendewollmilchsau" ( Egg laying wool milk pig ) Just something that can do everything I want.

far-lands

thoght you might like an update......













far-lands