For a standard gauge layout: What is an ideal/economic noise reducer between a wood table surface and 3/4 inch thick maple plywood sheet

Any sort of felt material will help, as well as mass on the plywood  in the form of building etc.  The screws will transmit high frequency noise thru to the table however.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpHg-w0yYHM

This video should help

Johnson repro Lionel rubber roadbed. Made for 042 and 072 curves. The 072 sections WILL also fit 084 curves.

Thanks. Where can i find the Johnson Roadbed?  Should I also use tracks with built in road bed? 

Thanks the the carpet video 

ash standard 

I believe the Johnson rubber roadbed for Standard gauge is out of production.

Cut pile carpet is okay under plastic roadbed track, but may shed loose fibers that will get into the mechanisms of your trains if placed under traditional tinplate tubular track.  Closed loop carpet is better in this respect.  The Standard Gauge Module Association (SGMA) specifies closed loop carpet on their modular standards.

Homosote is a moisture  resistant recycled paper product that can be used to cover the entire train table, or cut to form a roadbed.  Either way it is an effective way to reduce noise levels.  Note that the track should be screwed only to the homosote, and not the plywood tabletop, or the screws will transmit noise.

Foam tape (like weatherstripping foam) makes excellent roadbed, and is available with adhesive backing.  Two (or more) strips can be applied on either side of a marked centerline drawn on the tabletop to facilitate an accurate transposition of your trackplan.

Kirk

USA Track LLC

I used the 4x8 sheets of foam insulation, in my case 3/4 inch thick with aluminum on one side, this reduced the noise tremendously. If your able to do it, use the zip tie method of securing your track to the plywood base, this cuts out the drum effect that screws cause.

Try this. curvable rubber roadbed. I use it on my O gauge layout. It does come in Standard Gauge and G gauge. Works good and can be moved around.

Truly thanks but sounds a bit involved and I can’t put a nail in the wall to hang a picture. 

Kirk, 

this sounds silly. Where can I buy homosote?  And where is the best place to buy USA track ...ebay ? And how much for a 8x16 layout? 72 curves. Can we discuss offline? 

ash Standard 

973-718-1275

Home Depot in MD sold homosote.  You can check the availablity in your area on-line.

I’m not sure where you are, but it’s hard to get homosote in the south.  I’m using acoustic ceiling tile (the kind that they use for suspended ceilings) from Home Depot. It’s readily available, easy to cut to shape as roadbed, and cheap.

I found homosote at Home Depot 8x4 I’ll buy 6 sheets to cover a 12x16 plywood surface. Do I screw the track on the homosote over the ply or is the homosote below the plywood. Regards 

ash standard

Does the acoustic tile go under the plywood or above it. Sorry I am Ignorant and restless. 

Ash Standard 

What works good for me is ceiling tile, smooth side up, on top of the plywood and covered with grass mat sheets.  It makes it easy to screw things down with #4 wood screws of various lengths.

Plywood on your framing and the Homosote, Celotex or ceiling tiles on top of the plywood. Your carpeting is the last layer.

Steve

Johnson rubber roadbed is available on the secondary market. I have some extra 072 and 084 circles plus a good number of straights at my other home, but it is not available to sell at this time. The advantages are its easy drop-in design, slip resistant surface, and noise abatement quality. I use it directly on an office tabletop surface with excellent results. Will have my extra curves and straights for sale in the next couple of months. The color is black.

I'm not sure folks but I think we've been had.   1st clue - 2 sheets of 8 x 12 x 3/4 "MAPLE" plywood on top of a dinning room table.  

Thanks for all the advice and tips. You can tell I am a novice but with big dreams as Wild Mary alluded to, yes I am ignorant but thanks for the forum for guidance 

ash Standard