@Rider Sandman posted:I think the size of the layout is also a factor. Mine was fairly large with 5-8 trains running at any given time. Rail sounds were drowned out and conversations at normal voice levels were impossible. After the track switch, rail sounds are clear and normal voice levels are useable. My experience is consistent with many other forum users, although certainly not all.
I don’t want to hijack the thread, so I’ll leave it at that. I only raised the issue because I wish I knew what I do now when I was at the OP’s current stage of designing a layout.
Good point, and I agree we don't want to hijack the thread for yet another "Fastrack noise" discussion 
I have at most 3 trains running on my layout at any point, which is significantly less than 8
