Seriously good question, though I suggest there are a couple of other factors to consider: 1) Glued ballast alters the sound profile. Does it negate the value of the cork? 2) is the undesirable sound coming from the rails/wheels or a reflection from the foam/cork/ballast (and possibly add scenery to this list too) 3) could a sound deadening material under the baseboard help (i.e. is the bottom of the foam / plywood a transmitter? 4) is the plastic rolling stock amplifying the sound in some way?
Late comment, but perhaps it could one day help a newbie build their layout. Two benefits to cork; Cosmetically, it helps provide that realistic depth when it comes to ballasting the track. You end up having that 'step' at the edge of the ballast, which looks a hundred times better than having flat looking ballast. Functionally, it is much easier to cut out channels around the points/turnouts to fit wires in tube if you want to use manual levers, which are fun for shunting areas. So, cork, yes or no? Yes! It's cheap and extremely easy to use and has loads of benefits.
Cork muffles........although certain parts of layout can be without,its all about the sound you prefer and the room acoustics,leg bottom felts can be used to help vibrations low.
Of some interest, but the standard for baseboards is now plywood in place of Sundeala so of limited relevance. How the tracks are fixed will also have a significant impact.
i just use brass 1/2" estchuan pins, (nails) on plywood. It 's stronger to hold the rails than spongy cork. Its like the layout board is a huge railway tie. kinda noisy though. sounds like the car itself makes noise too.
I think a more accurate way would be to run a locomotive as your test, since it would create more noise as it operates. If one is seriously concerned about the noises a model train makes as its running.
That’s what cracks me up with these folks worrying about the sounds made by using or not using cork. DCC steam loco chugging away linked to sub woofers via Bluetooth and we are worried about a little rolling stock noise? Besides glued ballast negates and sound deadening gain from cork.
Do I care about noise ? No, I want simple affordable robust construction. Every interface is another join for defects to develop.in. From my point of view and having built many layouts, the only time I've used cork was where fine scale track has been used with the very thin sleepers that's part of the fine scale mantra. You need the depth of cork to develop a realistic ballast edge profile. I usually pin, but have stuck track down on double sided sticky tape. Once wet adhesive ballast has dried out most of the sound deadening has been lost anyway. So the question is WHY bother? It costs money, is an additional build process that takes time. The cork adhesive could introduce deformations and slightly uneven layer. All this for a minimal, if any reduction of noise.
Thanks for answering my Facebook question Todd... I do not dislike the sound on foam enough to put on the cork just jet. Are there any other consideration to use cork though, e.g. ease of installing or leveling the tracks?
Stryker Jenkins The advantages include: -lower noise -arguably smoother curve construction with additional strength for tightly curved flex track. -better surface to pin to that foam -better profile for ballasted track The video doesn't explain it, but if you look at the track I was testing on that was sheet cork and not the regular two part cork, I have it that way on the module for the sound and the stiffer profile I get (the layout is going to be very mobile when I'm done). From what you have said so far you could probably get away without using cork to be honest. It really is a preference thing. When I put down my track I use caulk on the cork and use map pins to hold it in place until the caulk dries. I don't think the pins alone would hold well enough for a couple of the curves.
There are many videos about the benefits of placing the rails on a cork bed. A plywood top and plywood frames seem to amplify sound in the same way as the body of an accoustic guitar does. Has anyone tried applying sound deadening material to the underside of the board and frames?
@@davidcurtis5398 Hi. When I mentioned sound deadening I was thinking of styrofoam pieces that protect appliances when they're boxed for sale. The styrofoam is free and usually thrown away so, all that's needed is glue.
@@paullloyd4813 I get a lot of my foam from construction sites from their trash bins. I go to the superintendent of the project and ask politely if I can go into his scrap bins to get their cut offs. I tell him what I want to do with the scraps and usually they will let me. One time I had a superintendent call me to say that they had some very large pieces (more than half pieces) and would I want them. They were waiting for me when I got there. I pay very little for my foam this way.
Seriously good question, though I suggest there are a couple of other factors to consider:
1) Glued ballast alters the sound profile. Does it negate the value of the cork?
2) is the undesirable sound coming from the rails/wheels or a reflection from the foam/cork/ballast (and possibly add scenery to this list too)
3) could a sound deadening material under the baseboard help (i.e. is the bottom of the foam / plywood a transmitter?
4) is the plastic rolling stock amplifying the sound in some way?
Late comment, but perhaps it could one day help a newbie build their layout.
Two benefits to cork;
Cosmetically, it helps provide that realistic depth when it comes to ballasting the track. You end up having that 'step' at the edge of the ballast, which looks a hundred times better than having flat looking ballast.
Functionally, it is much easier to cut out channels around the points/turnouts to fit wires in tube if you want to use manual levers, which are fun for shunting areas.
So, cork, yes or no? Yes! It's cheap and extremely easy to use and has loads of benefits.
yep... gotta do cork to make the ballast look right.
They appear to be equally loud, just different frequencies.
Cork muffles........although certain parts of layout can be without,its all about the sound you prefer
and the room acoustics,leg bottom felts can be used to help vibrations low.
To cork or not to cork. That is the question!
I use cork on the mainline and no cork in the yard and sidings. I do that just so the mainline sits a little higher then the others.
Of some interest, but the standard for baseboards is now plywood in place of Sundeala so of limited relevance. How the tracks are fixed will also have a significant impact.
i just use brass 1/2" estchuan pins, (nails) on plywood. It 's stronger to hold the rails than spongy cork. Its like the layout board is a huge railway tie. kinda noisy though. sounds like the car itself makes noise too.
Don't like nails at all.
I think a more accurate way would be to run a locomotive as your test, since it would create more noise as it operates. If one is seriously concerned about the noises a model train makes as its running.
If you’re running DCC trains with sound on, the comparison may be pointless?
That’s what cracks me up with these folks worrying about the sounds made by using or not using cork. DCC steam loco chugging away linked to sub woofers via Bluetooth and we are worried about a little rolling stock noise? Besides glued ballast negates and sound deadening gain from cork.
Do I care about noise ? No, I want simple affordable robust construction. Every interface is another join
for defects to develop.in. From my point of view and having built many layouts, the only time I've used
cork was where fine scale track has been used with the very thin sleepers that's part of the fine scale
mantra. You need the depth of cork to develop a realistic ballast edge profile.
I usually pin, but have stuck track down on double sided sticky tape. Once wet adhesive ballast has
dried out most of the sound deadening has been lost anyway. So the question is WHY bother? It costs
money, is an additional build process that takes time. The cork adhesive could introduce deformations
and slightly uneven layer. All this for a minimal, if any reduction of noise.
Wow.... big difference. Worth it!
NO MATE THE CORK HAS A HIGHER PITCH SOUND
I use foam and no cork and like it. I didn't hear much difference between the two, maybe just in tone...
Sorry, I forgot - it might be the pressure that was put on the car. Try using an engine with out sound to push the car or cars.
Thanks for answering my Facebook question Todd... I do not dislike the sound on foam enough to put on the cork just jet. Are there any other consideration to use cork though, e.g. ease of installing or leveling the tracks?
Stryker Jenkins The advantages include:
-lower noise
-arguably smoother curve construction with additional strength for tightly curved flex track.
-better surface to pin to that foam
-better profile for ballasted track
The video doesn't explain it, but if you look at the track I was testing on that was sheet cork and not the regular two part cork, I have it that way on the module for the sound and the stiffer profile I get (the layout is going to be very mobile when I'm done).
From what you have said so far you could probably get away without using cork to be honest. It really is a preference thing. When I put down my track I use caulk on the cork and use map pins to hold it in place until the caulk dries. I don't think the pins alone would hold well enough for a couple of the curves.
Cool
Real track is elevated on a Ballast bed. Usually only Sidings and Yards have track that appears in the Flat.
Correct
There are many videos about the benefits of placing the rails on a cork bed. A plywood top and plywood frames seem to amplify sound in the same way as the body of an accoustic guitar does. Has anyone tried applying sound deadening material to the underside of the board and frames?
Have never seen this and most likely never will. To expensive.
@@davidcurtis5398 Hi. When I mentioned sound deadening I was thinking of styrofoam pieces that protect appliances when they're boxed for sale. The styrofoam is free and usually thrown away so, all that's needed is glue.
@@paullloyd4813 I get a lot of my foam from construction sites from their trash bins. I go to the superintendent of the project and ask politely if I can go into his scrap bins to get their cut offs. I tell him what I want to do with the scraps and usually they will let me. One time I had a superintendent call me to say that they had some very large pieces (more than half pieces) and would I want them. They were waiting for me when I got there. I pay very little for my foam this way.
My Verdict would be This I would go Cork. The Put Balast under cork when you want to Advance to Another level of Model Rail roading.
Old school new School Cork has Been Around since Model Railroading Started.I would Use cork.