The Underlying Debate

This week I ordered a sheet of closed cell foam, a pot of Copydex and my first and hopefully last set of track gauges. Reading Mikkel's blog, and the debate over on RMweb, about the best materials and practices to achieve good sound deadening results from track underlay. It seems that approaches vary from using no underlay at all, to using cork stuck down with PVA, to the use of closed cell foam stuck down with Copydex. C&L Finescale sell a foam underlay as do Nairnshire Modelling Supplies, but I managed to get some on ebay which has the adhesive already applied, effectively coming as sticky backed plastic. It took less than 30 minutes to mark, cut and apply the underlay to the baseboards.

For track laying and ballasting I have opted to use Copydex. Comments in the RMweb conversation suggest that PVA soaks into the cork or foam and dries rock solid, negating any sound deadening properties of the material used. As Copydex is a latex based product there should be a little give when dry which should enhance the sound deadening qualities of the closed cell foam, which on ebay is even advertised as ideal for sound insulation. In due course I will do some tests and hopefully a video comparing the sound levels of track laid straight onto a board compared with track glued down to foam underlay using Copydex. The other advantage of using the sticky backed foam is that it is a doddle to cut and peal back, so placing the buildings and making sure there is no dreaded gap at the base should be easy!

Also in the pictures you will see the platform. This was started a couple of years ago when I was building a layout in the loft of our old house. It was, again, based on Abingdon Station but was not compromised in any way from then plan which can be found here I didn't get very far down the line before we decided to move house and because I had built the boards directly onto the rafters rather than as separate units, the platform and a couple of familiar Ratio and Wills kits are as much as I managed to keep from the project. I do however have an abundance of Peco streamline code 100 points and flexi track which will be utilised for a basic roundy roundy railway in the back garden for my Son (Dad too of course!!)