Certainly quite a difference between the too! Will be seriously think about this when it comes to ballasting my layout when I start a fresh. Thanks for sharing!
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
It's worth an experiment Callum.
@FarlandHowe
9 жыл бұрын
A point well made. I have used Woodland Scenics' Trackbed everywhere on Farland. It is a 3/16 inch thick foam. The deadening still works quitey well even after it is ballasted. I do not use great mounds of ballast, I glue a thin layer along the sides of it. If you don't use an acoustic isolator, it sounds like your trains are running across a guitar top all the time. Well done Laurie. Rob
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
Sounds like the WS trackbed is also a good product. I also ballast the glue/water way up to the foam side. Thanks Rob. Laurie.
@coppercappedproductions506
9 жыл бұрын
I like the hard ballast, but the foam is so much quieter!
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
That's fair enough. No right or wrong here. Some people don't mind the noise even. Some prefer the look of regular ballast too, and whereas this GM200 comes in two colour choices, regular ballast comes in whatever colours/mix you wish for. I guess if it was critical you could use some light glue perhaps to attach other colours. I use both/either method depending on what I am trying to achieve.
@TheMisterdan01
9 жыл бұрын
Nice tips there Laurie, and that ballasted foam looks (and sounds) like a nice product, and better that the standard foam I have used for mine. Cheers, Dan
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks Dan. Well there seems to be two main items up for discussion. One is the cost. It is costly for a bigger layout. The other is how long it lasts. I have seen regular foam discolour and crumble but I don't know the conditions it was exposed to. Also this 'Moltopren' seems more resilient but nobody seems to know how long it'll last in action. Still it would only take me an evening to completely re-lay it. So of it only lasted a few years, I'd still use it again. What is standard foam like then? I've never used that?
@TheMisterdan01
9 жыл бұрын
Hi Laurie, good points there, I think the stuff I used was $15.00 for 10 metres, and I think from memory I used about 50 metres or so, and I like the height it gives the track and it is a nice strong easy to use product. To be honest though I had the same problems as Dave Howarth in that it takes a bit of getting used to with regards to ballasting the track and is a lot harder than if it was just placed on the baseboard, and also when the glue sets as hard as a rock the foam no longer dulls down the sound (this was the case with mine anyway) which was annoying. I like the idea of the pre-ballasted foam you have there because I think it would be much easier to work with and blend into the layout, and also for the fact that you wouldn't have to use as much glue for the extra ballast required thus retaining the sound-deadening qualities. Cheers, Dan
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
TheMisterdan01 That's all true. It has to flex for the sound-deadening effect to occur. This does give 'shoulders' to the ballast effect which funnily enough is often neglected on most layouts I see ballasted the regular way.
@aplinewalker
9 жыл бұрын
What a brilliant comparison,,, there has been a lot of talk about cork and foam making it quieter,,, and it more do initially but I think what happens is that once you ballast it saturating it with PVA ,,, you end up with a solid mass that transmits the sound ,,,,Because of all the NONE conclusive hype I did a similar demonstration ( I was using thin neoprene rubber,, Part 7 folding model railway 16.30,,) and even that made a substantial difference, but I suspect if I apply ballast im going to get just a solid lump,,, the rubber will become hard and any sound deadening will be lost,,,, in your case the foam is not been soaked in PVA and so its retaining its flexibility and sound deadening effect,,, That is THE MOST DEFINITIVE comparison test I have seen ,,,, And remember in this demonstration there are only 6 wheels on the Sentinel shunter, you imagine a modest rake of 15 wagons and a tender loco you would have nearer 72 wheels.
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
Yes, if you put glue all over the foam, you lose the sound-deadening quality I for the reasons you say. Often this happens with cork and ballast on top of it. Good point about number of wheels there. I did do another comparison a few months ago now using an A4 going from regular track to a ballasted foam piece, and the difference was clear. I thought I'd do it again for my newer subscribers.
@aplinewalker
9 жыл бұрын
Calvertfilm Sorry haven't come across your previous comparison test yet but the above is definitive,,, I know what to use next time ,,,, (and the module test)
@retrainrun
9 жыл бұрын
The difference sounds amazing Laurie! and the added effect is, the track flexing a little when the trains go by. Just like the real thing. Is it sold here in the USA. Cheers RT
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
You are correct. The heavier Engines do indeed flex it a tiny bit. I have seen videos of real trains doing this too, as you say. Good point.
@howarth004
9 жыл бұрын
Sure makes a difference , I use the foam on most of mine , but of course problems with setting points then, not tried the ballasted type yet though so maybe thats the one to try next ...Dave
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
Well I cut the foam into shapes and place it under the points. Takes about 20 minutes per point nowadays. I've got faster. Some of the ridges have to be trimmed away but at least ballast is viewable through the sleepers. And the points still operate as new. No glue on them. Laurie
@howarth004
9 жыл бұрын
Calvertfilm Thanks yes no good using copydex like I do ...
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
***** How does that compare to PVA glue?
@howarth004
9 жыл бұрын
Calvertfilm It is fast sticking , but it has a rubbery substance make up , so if you forget later and put a drill bit through it, it will wind round the drill bit , and believe me you have a mess ..(i know ) ..Dave
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
***** LOL.
@ScottDowneywoundedbear
9 жыл бұрын
There is quite a bit of difference in sound but the question is, how long will the foam last. Most foam will rot in one shape or another. I do like how quiet it is. Scott
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
A good question Scott. Some foam I have seen deteriorating over the years due to light exposure. But some people keeps their old foam in the dark and it has been around for many years. But this is 'Moltopren' rather than foam and seems to be a more resilient type of foam. Also it is covered in granite, so it is directly protected from light damage. All I can say is that I have had my oldest layout with this stuff on it for 2 years, and still it shows no sign at all of deterioration so far. But I'll keep you posted. If and when it does go I may well make an update video so people know. It is all useful info. Also a 7x4ft layout I can fully ballast (inc points) in 2 to 3 hours. So even if after (say) 7 years it started to rot it would only take me an evening to replace it. And I'd probably replace/upgrade the track too at that point. Of course some scenery items such as trees) are fragile and get covered in dust and need a change, so this just becomes another item. That's presuming it does rot. It may last longer than me! Hope that helps. Certainly worth making a test layout.
@TheZimma
9 жыл бұрын
Hi Laurie you do know that foam or sponge deteriates over time, it turns to dust,-----Tony
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
HI Tony. Yes regular foam does. But this is a different product. But there are a couple of other points here: Firstly it only took me a few hours to lay my track on each layout (the points take the most time). No track pins needed. Just glue. So if it does needs replacing, it'll only take me an evening. Secondly there are other items on a layout that get tired over time, and need an upgrade (e.g. trees and scenery), so I'm not worried about having to replace this either, especially as it is a quick change. For me the benefits are so great for all the years it is in use that it's worth it. But it is a choice. No right or wrong. I have no idea how long it lasts. So far I've been two years with my first layout and it is perfect still.
@matthewsnowdenshunterguy3352
9 жыл бұрын
Wow! I wasnt expecting that much difference!!!! Its extremely quiet isnt it?! How realistic does it look close up? U cant really c a difference frm the shots?? And does it raise the track to a too greater height? Cheers
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
That's a good point about it raising the track - it does by about 2mm or so, so you do have to raise platforms. But what I did here was cut a channel into the foam board and set it down into that so it was the same level as the rest. It looks every bit as good as regular ballast and the side walls are built up, so that has to be the look you want (unless you sink it down as I did here).
@matthewsnowdenshunterguy3352
9 жыл бұрын
Right i c, was just wondering :) it sounds like the foam has even mor pros for it!
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
Matthew Snowden I think it's worth a try and then for each person to make their own mind up. For large layouts it would cost a fortune. I
@matthewsnowdenshunterguy3352
9 жыл бұрын
Yeh i wudnt mind giving it a whirl?! Did u say it was cheaper or mor expensive than ballast in the vid, i cant rembr :)
@Calvertfilm
9 жыл бұрын
Matthew Snowden That is the one downside of GM200 - it is the most expensive way. It costs around £4 per metre, whereas the regular way would be a few pence. Little snoring has 3.5 metres of track, so a single box would cover that with some spare but for most small layouts I need a couple of boxes. So with Trio I spent £40 on the ballasted foam, which is about 10% the total layout cost.
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