04-08-2012, 01:32 PM
While changing motors can mitigate some of the sound issues, drivelines, including shafts and couplings, flywheels, and the gears within the trucks all contribute somewhat to excess noise. The old Model Power E-units were very smooth-running and otherwise quiet locos, but slop in the U-joint driveshaft couplings made them quite noisy. Shimming the couplings solved the problem.
![[Image: 100_5608.jpg]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/doctorwayne/locomotives/100_5608.jpg)
Cleaning-up the older Athearn gears, using a knife and/or file, often help dampen some of the racket, but I can't comment on a solution for the newer locos.
Imbalanced flywheels were once a common issue, and while I would think that it's no longer an issue, may be something which merits investigation. Much of the sound present is, of course, amplified not only by the track and layout, but also by the loco itself, especially the body shell. The older Atlas locos with which I was familiar were very solidly-built, with little unused space within the loco and they were very quiet-running. I've noticed that Athearn locos which I've re-built (usually including installation of a can motor and removal of the flywheels) were noticeably quieter, and if I added interior weight to the loco, quieter still. My guess is that solid weights, solidly mounted (screwed in place or affixed with silicone sealant) lessened vibrations and therefore noise. If you don't wish to add more weight or don't have room for it, some soft foam packed into appropriate spaces within the shell may absorb some of the noise.
Most of my locos seem quiet enough, with only those with older open gears (steam locos) noticeably noisy. I find, for the most part, rolling stock with metal wheels the biggest noise factor, and I don't have a great many such cars.
Layout construction obviously plays a part in the noise, and the more solid the construction, the more the sound seems to be absorbed, even though sound is more easily transmitted through solid objects. :? Foam or plywood supported every 2' makes more noise than the same materials supported every 16", and the materials which we use to fasten our track and ballast in place transmit the initial noise to that "drumhead". The myth about matte medium being quieter than white glue as a ballast fixative is, in my experience, exactly that: I have used both on my layout and can detect no difference. Mind you, spending almost 40 years in the din of a steel mill may have something to do with that perception (or lack thereof).
Wayne
Cleaning-up the older Athearn gears, using a knife and/or file, often help dampen some of the racket, but I can't comment on a solution for the newer locos.
Imbalanced flywheels were once a common issue, and while I would think that it's no longer an issue, may be something which merits investigation. Much of the sound present is, of course, amplified not only by the track and layout, but also by the loco itself, especially the body shell. The older Atlas locos with which I was familiar were very solidly-built, with little unused space within the loco and they were very quiet-running. I've noticed that Athearn locos which I've re-built (usually including installation of a can motor and removal of the flywheels) were noticeably quieter, and if I added interior weight to the loco, quieter still. My guess is that solid weights, solidly mounted (screwed in place or affixed with silicone sealant) lessened vibrations and therefore noise. If you don't wish to add more weight or don't have room for it, some soft foam packed into appropriate spaces within the shell may absorb some of the noise.
Most of my locos seem quiet enough, with only those with older open gears (steam locos) noticeably noisy. I find, for the most part, rolling stock with metal wheels the biggest noise factor, and I don't have a great many such cars.
Layout construction obviously plays a part in the noise, and the more solid the construction, the more the sound seems to be absorbed, even though sound is more easily transmitted through solid objects. :? Foam or plywood supported every 2' makes more noise than the same materials supported every 16", and the materials which we use to fasten our track and ballast in place transmit the initial noise to that "drumhead". The myth about matte medium being quieter than white glue as a ballast fixative is, in my experience, exactly that: I have used both on my layout and can detect no difference. Mind you, spending almost 40 years in the din of a steel mill may have something to do with that perception (or lack thereof).
Wayne