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Came across these i/2 inch thick, 24 inch square  interlocking anti-fatigue foam mats at Harbor Freight and wonder if they would eliminate or substantially lower the high noise level of Lionel's O or S gauge Fastrack? Has anyone used tiles like these beneath Fastrack for either raised platform or on the floor layouts? Considering their cost, how well do they work in quieting down and lowering the decibel noise inherent in Fastrack's hollow base track? Want advice, tips, pitfalls from those who've used them under Fastrack.

 

HFT 61607 Anti-Fatigue Foam Mat Set 4 Pc

 

 

Last edited by ogaugeguy
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Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:              
Thanks for your reply, prrhorseshoecurve, While roof insulation panels are a choice of many folks for sound deadening noisy Fastrack, the wife doesn't want those panels covering our hardwood and ceramic flooring for our holiday floor layout. That's why I'd appreciate feedback about the feasibility of using anti-fatigue foam mats which she'd prefer aesthetically over roofing panels.

Those mats are usually thick and tough to cut. I believe the consensus on this forum was the roofing foam found in many box stores

 

I used foam carpet padding under my track. It costs $1 per square foot or even a little less. It's easy to cut, lay down and roll up. I used it for my permanent layout and while the trains aren't silent it reduced the noise significantly. Carpet padding covered by cheap carpet in the appropriate color would make a good base for a holiday layout.

 

I can't help with the mats you're asking about since I have never tried them. I don't know if they are designed to absorb sound like carpet padding is. I know carpet alone doesn't reduce the noise very much. I tried that before I tried the carped padding. On my layout I used the padding covered with Woodland Scenics Ready Grass mat for a finished look.

 

I hope this helps.

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

The best noise reduction for Fastrack is filling the cavity with some sound deadening material.  The empty space tends to act like a drum and amplify the sound.

I tested Woodland Scenics Trackbed. It is split in the center and fits well underneath the FasTrack. Cut it with scissors and attach with Gorilla glue. This worked, but in the end I decided to sell it off and convert to GarGraves.

 

Last edited by Gilly@N&W

If your layout is going to be on the floor, why couldn't you use an area rug or a decorative holiday blanket (points with wife?).

The area rug is usually round on the perimeter.

Hopefully you can find the correct 031, 036, 042, 054, and 072 curvatures on the corners.

 

Otherwise you could use a holiday decorative blanket.

A quilt has too many highs and lows.

You could fold/roll up the excess blanket on the curves and decorate the raised area as snow banks.  These will make nice cushy places for the occasional hi speed engine to land during time trials.

 

If either blanket or rug was dedicated to the holiday train layout you could punch small holes in it to allow the wires to run under the blanket/rug and hide them from view.

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