How much Cork Underlay is Best?
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A Members Poll on Cork, its merits and Specs
How much depth of cork underlay is optimum on a standard type Ply topped layout?This and other questions are arising as I'm start to acquire various bits for my new layout and I was interested in Members thoughts about this issue. Please answer my Poll and provide comments and feedback as you see fit. Thanks in anticipation.
I've allowed for the common thicknesses I've seen viz. 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm etc.
BTW for imperial metrics users score 1/16th in thick cork roll in the 1- 1.6mm band for your response
Likewise 1/8th goes in the >2.0-3.2mm band
Edit: I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the need for cork if the main operations are at slow speed as opposed to rattling along a mainline!
Colin
Last edit: by Colin W
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Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
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Ron
NCE DCC ; 00 scale UK outline.
NCE DCC ; 00 scale UK outline.
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Regards
Alan
Born beside the mighty GWR.
Alan
Born beside the mighty GWR.
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I wouldn't worry too much about the drumming noise with ply faced baseboard for small plank type layouts, as speed should not be an issue, although drawing any track pins out after track laying will remove the transmission pathway to the ply. Types and methods of balasting is often considered to also affect sound transmission, although I've yet to ballast, but intend to be careful not to create a direct bond between hard set ballast and plywood.
Hope it goes well for you and your sound locos will overcome any residual drumming!
Bill
Last edit: by Longchap
At 6'4'', Bill is a tall chap, then again, when horizontal he is rather long and people often used to trip over him! . . . and so a nickname was born :)
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Last edit: by Dorsetmike
Cheers MIKE
I'm like my avatar - a local ruin!
I'm like my avatar - a local ruin!
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Thx Bill, Interesting comments,My vote is for '' other'', as I've used 3mm on the running line and none under the goods roads, which are laid lower than running lines to avoid runaways leaving the yard and also as they have a different blasting regime.
I wouldn't worry too much about the drumming noise with ply faced baseboard for small plank type layouts, as speed should not be an issue, although drawing any track pins out after track laying will remove the transmission pathway to the ply. Types and methods of blasting is often considered to also affect sound transmission, although I've yet to ballast, but intend to be careful not to create a direct bond between hard set ballast and plywood.
Hope it goes well for you and your sound locos will overcome any residual drumming!
Bill
On my current layout I had to relay the mainline to adjust the positioning of points and sort out some unevenness. I took that opportunity to put down cork under the whole roundy round. When I tested (this was pre-sound era) I was hard pressed to notice a difference but that might be due to the track pins acting to transfer vibrations. Also I suspect my baseboard setup is less than ideally solid and may act like a speaker cabinet! Hence I'm not putting any weight on those old "uncontrolled experimental" findings.
Everything will be done with the benefits of experience and learning on Project Green Light.
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To me, the main advantage of cork is to allow for the "cess" at either side of the tracks - created by an additional layer of cork just under the tracks.
As Bill said, any "solid" contact between rail and ply baseboard totally negates any sound deadening properties. That "solid contact" could include glued ballast or track pins. Also, Bill's correct in that there really isn't a drumming problem at low speeds.
Both an advantage and a disadvantage of thick cork is, on the plus side, it allows for easy track pin insertion and on the minus side, it doesn't hold the pins particularly well if they're under any kind of "stress" such as holding a curve in flexi track. That, as in the real thing, is the job of the ballast although we don't ballast until everything is thoroughly tested at which stage, we'd usually pull the pins once the ballast is set.
'Petermac
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:off topic Couldnt help noticing your use of the plural Peter. I am so impressed that you now have Liz ballastingwe don't ballast until everything is thoroughly tested at which stage, we'd usually pull the pins once the ballast is set.
:pedal
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[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote::off topic Couldnt help noticing your use of the plural Peter. I am so impressed that you now have Liz ballastingwe don't ballast until everything is thoroughly tested at which stage, we'd usually pull the pins once the ballast is set.
:pedal
I wish John. It was actually the Royal "we" ………
'Petermac
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… To me, the main advantage of cork is to allow for the "cess" at either side of the tracks - created by an additional layer of cork just under the tracks
I agree with Peter totally. The raised track gives a far better look - particularly on running lines. I voted 2mm which is more than enough to achieve this in OO. In sidings, I use the same cork to bring the ground up to to the top of sleeper level (code 75 sleeper base).As Bill said, any "solid" contact between rail and ply baseboard totally negates any sound deadening properties. That "solid contact" could include glued ballast or track pins. Also, Bill's correct in that there really isn't a drumming problem at low speeds.
Barry
Shed dweller, Softie Southerner and Meglomaniac
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[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote::off topic Couldnt help noticing your use of the plural Peter. I am so impressed that you now have Liz ballastingwe don't ballast until everything is thoroughly tested at which stage, we'd usually pull the pins once the ballast is set.
:pedal
I wish John. It was actually the Royal "we" ………
"Get on with it, I need to pull me pins !!"
Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
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I don't find a problem with pins moving in cork tiles, they are somewhat harder and stiffer than untreated cork; when you think about it they have to be treated to withstand being walked on.Both an advantage and a disadvantage of thick cork is, on the plus side, it allows for easy track pin insertion and on the minus side, it doesn't hold the pins particularly well if they're under any kind of "stress" such as holding a curve in flexi track.
Cheers MIKE
I'm like my avatar - a local ruin!
I'm like my avatar - a local ruin!
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thx but please vote Mike, I'd like to know what thickness cork you're usingI don't find a problem with pins moving in cork tiles, they are somewhat harder and stiffer than untreated cork; when you think about it they have to be treated to withstand being walked on.Both an advantage and a disadvantage of thick cork is, on the plus side, it allows for easy track pin insertion and on the minus side, it doesn't hold the pins particularly well if they're under any kind of "stress" such as holding a curve in flexi track.
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Last edit: by Longchap
At 6'4'', Bill is a tall chap, then again, when horizontal he is rather long and people often used to trip over him! . . . and so a nickname was born :)
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9C, Hibel Road & Macclesfield Central: 30 May 1941. Various scales
Landscape 1:150, Buildings 1:152·4, 9mm Track 1:159·5, Stock 1:148
Landscape 1:150, Buildings 1:152·4, 9mm Track 1:159·5, Stock 1:148
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[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:[user=434]John Dew[/user] wrote:[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote::off topic Couldnt help noticing your use of the plural Peter. I am so impressed that you now have Liz ballastingwe don't ballast until everything is thoroughly tested at which stage, we'd usually pull the pins once the ballast is set.
:pedal
I wish John. It was actually the Royal "we" ………
"Get on with it, I need to pull me pins !!"
Who gave you permission to use Grannie's photo ?
'Petermac
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Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
Posted
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No problem, it's the general thickness rather than precision. I'm guessing that for 'N' Gauge the thickness you've chosen is for cosmetic rather than sound reduction purposes.There isn't an option for 1/32" (0·75mm), so I've had to say 3/64" instead.
Colin
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