Hello,
Am new to the forum and planning our first 'real' layout. Considering MTH ScaleTrax. Comments, please. Any downside to this track?
thanks,
Sam in NC
Hi Sam,
I haven't used MTH ScaleTrax, have You looked at, and considered Atlas O track? Looking at MTH's current catalog online, it looks to Me, like Atlas O has a larger selection of track and switches. I DO have a lot of MTH's RealTrax, and it looks like the ScaleTrax uses the same power connecters between track section. I prefer the appearance of Realtrax to the Lionel Fastrack, but those %$#! power connecters can be very finnicky. I haven't built a permanent Hi-Rail layout yet, but I plan on using the Atlas O track when I do.
If You haven't purchased and started Laying ScaleTrax yet, I would recommend that you look at and consider Atlas O as well. If You have looked at Atlas O, or do and decide on the ScaleTrax instead, I would be interested in your thoughts, and why You decided to buy it.
I am Far from being an Expert, and those are just MY thoughts and opinions, others may think differently. I also would Welcome anyone else's input on this.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
With a layout that has just shy of 200 feet of mainline track-age, 99% of it MTH RealTrax, and a multitude of problems with RealTrax Switches, I will not recommend anyone spend their money for any track system with the MTH name. (Please note that I did not say locomotive, rolling stock, command system, or structures.)
That being said, maybe MTH ScaleTrax is perfectly fine, however due to all the problems I have encountered, I am gun shy of any track system with the MTH name because I would assume that the same people who designed ScaleTrax designed RealTrax.
Before you invest your dollars in MTH ScaleTrax, I strongly suggest you get solid recommendations from someone who has a layout built with ScaleTrax and more importantly runs an array of different manufacturers equipment on the ScaleTrax. If possible, visit their layout and closely observe different locomotives negotiate the switches.
If I were building again, it would be Atlas,Gargraves, Ross or custom painted Lionel Fastrack.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
The track system is pretty closed so you need to figure out if eveything you want/need is available or whether you can live without it. Most of the other track system allow for mixing components from other vendor's products. A common example is Atlas O track and Ross Custom Switches (these are the best made switches, period).
Scale Trax also uses some odd tie spacing. While the ties are scale size, the spacing between them is way off when compared to prototypes. Atlas spacing is correct but the ties are taller than they should be (allows the track to match up with other brands).
I considered Scale Trax and Atlas O and opted for Atlas O. All of my running stock is MTH and all work fine on Atlas O. The taller ties of Atlas O allowed me to add ballast without a track roadbed, saving me about $1000 on my 16' X 6' layout.
Patrick L
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
I have several hundred feet of Fastrack from Lionel...I am happy with it. That being said, I went with it because it was what was included in the set boxes when I got back into the hobby after a long hiatus. Regarding ScaleTrax, I have heard a number of complaints about the MTH track brand (Scale/Real Trax). I have no personal experience, but suggest that you do a search both here, on CTT forum and also at OGR's forum. Read what people who have actually used it and what they have to say about it. Take your time and plan, plan, etc. I have heard some good reports about Atlas, and Gargraves, etc. Just need to really investigate and choose what is right for you. Each system has it's issues. Some are easy to get around, others not. For Fastrack, the main problems are that it is loud, and with some help from careful sound deadening, it is OK., Another issue is that it is rigid and so you have to make the track spacing, etc., up using pieces, not being able to bend the rails.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
I've been doing some reading and viewed The Black Diamond RR DVD by Rich Batista which is excellent. He and several others use ScaleTrax and highly recommend it. I like the lower profile which looks so much better than Gargraves or Atlas. Many have said that Ross switches are the best and have the most variety available but my needs are simple at this point. I can get away fine with MTH 054s, 072s, #4s and #6.
Thank you all for the input and NOW - does anyone have any ScaleTrax for sale?
Sam
Scaletrax uses the same code 148 rail that Atlas 2 rail O uses. If it's not the same, it's REALLY close! Many of my Lionel deep flange wheels can run on it although for the life of me I can't see how the flanges don't hit the spikes. Some of the pieces do though and most of the time it's because of much more relaxed wheel gauge standards that come on some pieces. It seems like MTH cars and engines have slightly shallower wheel flanges that don't have any issues. My new Lionel SD-70ACe has much deeper flanges than even most other Lionel and it can not run on this track. The flanges do hit the spikes. Going across Scaletrax switches (or Gargraves or anyone else's for that matter) the flanges really ride up on the frogs and it's always a little strange to see as you just know it's about to derail. Depending on the speed it may or may not. One of my current projects is to either find a way to replace many Lionel wheelsets or to grind the flanges down smaller.
I do like the lower profile of Scaletrax rails but the tie spacing is a bit far apart. Strangely enough I've always thought the Atlas track had ties spacing that was too close. Some people don't like the fact that the spike detail on Scaletrax has more of a european look to it but it still looks quite nice when ballasted. Rich Battista's definitely looks nice and you have to be really picky to criticize it.
My advice it to pick up a couple of pieces of it and run some of your rolling stock and engines across it to see if you like it. If you do, grab some more! If not, you didn't waste much money. Most stuff should work fine on it though. It's just a few pieces that don't.
Thank you all for the recommendations. They mean a lot to those of us who are less knowledgeable or experienced and are contemplating a long term investment in new track and switches for our next layouts.
The pros and cons are particularly useful, especially when they point out the drawbacks with specific engines and rolling stock. The realism of the ties and their spacing is something that I have pondered.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Welcome to the forum!
I have built several layouts with both Atlas and ScaleTrax. If you're satisfied with the selection of ScaleTrax switches and curves than there's no technical reason not to choose it over Atlas. The additional switch sizes below O-72 is Atlas' big advantage. One of the big advantages in ScaleTrax favor is that the flex track is actually flexible. With Atlas if you don't pre-bend the flex it won't join well in the middle of O-96 or tighter curves. However, if you do pre-bend the ties are prone to breaking off in the process. ScaleTrax flex has a stronger tie plate detail that holds each tie, and the rail can be removed, bent, and re-installed.
As with any other track system available ScaleTrax has its quirks that you'll need to learn when laying. Others have mentioned the electrical contact tabs. These are still prone to bending out of shape as with RealTrax. However, none of the SclaleTrax production runs was made by the factory that did the last couple runs of RealTrax that had serious issues with bad spot welds. All the ScaleTrax I've laid, including the new production that's currently being delivered, has had zero problems with continuity throught the clips. The ScaleTrax switch motors are much more reliable than the recent runs of RealTrax switches. The activating toggle switch that comes with ScaleTrax switches is pretty poor. I don't use them. I just use mini SPDT toggles when I build the control panel. There have also been issues with the switch frog not being insulated from the adjoining rails, which can cause a short when the pickup rollers traverse the switch. This is easily resolved with a thin piece of wood or plastic shim and a dab of superglue. There are a few other minor things but I don't have time to post them now.
One other thing, ScaleTrax is NOT code 148 rail. It's code 215. Atlas is code 250. On my current project I'm hand spiking some code 148 inside of ScaleTrax as gaurd rails on bridges. The plastic ties actually hold the spikes pretty well.
There are several dealers that carry ScaleTrax. One that I know carries the full line is Ready-to-Roll in FL.
BTW, O-54 curves are currently out of stock but should be in soon.
The Scaletrax sure looked like lighter rail than that to me. Admittedly I've never measured it. I know my Lionel wheel flanges work on it but the deep flanges on my ACe are really annoying over the frogs on those switches. They ride up the ramps. I've been playing with an Atlas 2 rail based stud rail setup and have been having some issues with flange depths. Some Lionel work, others don't. It's very close when it does work. The ACe doesn't work at all.
fredswain posted:
I do like the lower profile of Scaletrax rails but the tie spacing is a bit far apart. Strangely enough I've always thought the Atlas track had ties spacing that was too close.
As noted in an earlier post, I found the deeper Atlas O track allowed me to add ballast without laying a track road bed first, saving me about $1000 on my 16' X 6' layout. The best I can measure, the Atlas O track appears to be to scale.
As soon as it stops snowing, and I can shovel a path to the train building I will take a picture of the ballasted track and post it.
This is an overhead photo of ScaleTrax and Atlas O from a direct overhead perspective.
Welcome to the forum. I am pretty new also and really enjoy the good discussions and advice on this forum.
Like most aspects of the hobby, track preference seems to be very personal.
Personally, I like to see the trains and not the tracks. I chose RealTrax over FasTrack because I found the light color of the FasTrack distracting. I don't have a permanent layout (yet) but am leaning towards ScaleTrax for my permanent layout for similar reasons (lower profile, not too many ties).
Good luck finding something you like to look at and to work with.
Scott
I have some sections of Atlas two rail flex track that I am testing for permanent use. I'm experimenting with making my own third rail by stripping the rails from HO or N flex track. Atlas 3 rail looks nice but as others have posted the flex track isn't really. I'm sorry but I can't get over the tie spacing issue with ScaleTrax.
LawsonFarmsRR As noted in an earlier post, I found the deeper Atlas O track allowed me to add ballast without laying a track road bed first, saving me about $1000 on my 16' X 6' layout. The best I can measure, the Atlas O track appears to be to scale.
The CTT project from a year ago, The Sandy Harbor, used Atlas 3 rail O track. He did the same thing. He layed the track directly down on his surface which I believe was foam and then used n-scale cork roadbed (half) on either side of the track. The thicker ties still stick up higher. When ballasted, it looked really good.
Thanks again to all of you for the informative posts on the track, especially about ScaleTrax. I was glad to finally find out that it is code 215 vs Atlas at 250. I will assume that Gargraves & Ross are taller still. I just received a couple of 072 switches that I won on eBay and really like the track.
I see what you guys mean about the unusual wide spacing of the ties after viewing the side by side photo that was posted - thanks! I'm surprised that MTH didn't "tighten it up" a bit with all their touting of it being most scale...
Will be looking for some 'good deals' on used or surplus ScaleTrax if available. Guess I'll go ahead and sell my Gargraves, Lionel tubular, and perhaps even the Super O that I've been holding onto.
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