Abstract: The ladder track was one of the best methods to control train-track vibrations. But the laying type of damping pads under sleepers had not been researched systematically. According to the MIMO (multiple input multiple output) method, three laying types of damping pads under a sleeper were analyzed how to affect the dynamic characteristics of the ladder track. Results show that the former laying type of damping pads has the smallest natural frequency (33 Hz). The ladder track with 10 damping pads (side) has the biggest damping ratio (4.2%). First six damping ratios of the ladder track of three laying types have a down-up manner and the first modal shape is symmetric along the centerline of the ladder track. The second modal shape of the ladder track with 5 and 7 damping pads (side) is antisymmetric along the centerline of the ladder track, contrary with the ladder track with 10 damping pads (side). The analysis provides an engineering reference for the ladder track application.