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Train Noise On Track
Tony would like to hear from other readers on the subject of model railroad noise. Please add your comments below Tony’s posting.
“I constantly read about deadening the noise of the model trains rolling down the track. The ‘clickity clack’. I also read about the authenticity of the layout and being an exact modeler of the era, etc. Has any one really lived next to, or worked on, or near a real RR? I have. Then, in keeping your layout authentic, you must have the rolling noise of the entire train and the track noise. Isn’t that why we have all the other sounds built into the train, the whistle, smoke chugging, air release the brake squeal, smell from smoke oil, etc. for the realism?
Can some one tell me why are some people so intent on deadening the track noise? I have seen entire articles of 2-5 layers of track noise deadening products. I have loved the sound as part of the whole RR modeling venue and real life. So lets get “REAL” here if you are going to promote authenticity lets keep it all authentic. By the way if one person in he family loves model RR usually most in the family do – so usually no complaints. Any thoughts would be appreciated on your layout and your noise or lack of.
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2 Responses to Train Noise On Track
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Tony,
I hear ya (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Anyway, I think what the sound deadening crowd is aiming at is the unrealistic drum like quality you can get by running trains particularly on plywood table tops. Laying down foam or cork roadbed on Homasote minimizes this effect and makes the equipment sound solid and less toy like. I don’t think anyone is objecting to the clickety clack sound when running over switch frogs or rail joints. I certainly don’t.
Geof
Thanks Geof, great to have feed back. I agree about the toy like sound but cork road bed for me is just enough and it gives off a more sub woofer like sound than just on plywood. I do like to use styro sheets for the ease of cutting it out for ponds and the like but I still love all the sounds and when possible I just use the cork on the ply. thanks again!!! hopefully others will give there thoughts too. Tony P