Model Railway Forum

I have read various details for and against track underlay to reduce noise when running trains.
What is the general feeling, is it worth putting down a cork underlay and if so how thick, and how much of the running noise is it likely to reduce? My layout is on 12mm ply on the usual 50mm X 25mm framing.
Thoughts, ideas, suggestions, experiences and recommendations please.
Thank you in advance as always.

First question is do you intend to ballast the track?

If the answer is yes then using underlay to cut down on noise is a waste of time because the ballast will negate this.

Otherwise it is up to you. Me, I don’t use it.

Me neither. I like the sort of noise produced by no underlay - more sort of industrial/mechanical. Plus it’s cheaper without.

Railways are noisy places.

I do use cork underlay under my track - and would agree with what you have already been told, that it does increase the noise. The reason I used it, was to slightly raise the track (about 2-3mm), so that when ballasted, there is the ballast shoulder either side of the track, as can be seen on real railway lines.