Right now, the only thing keeping my layout in a construction hiatus in a lack of track. Well, not really a lack of it, but I thought I could make my curves with flextrack, but it turned out its more for much wider radius than my curves. Its nearly impossible to flex the track, especially with a wall in your way.
Scaletrax is also EXTREMELY scarce. Its nearly impossible to find. It's not a available with the major internet shops, and the smaller ones have very little stock. But my problem is the lack of any curved sections available anywhere. I need at least 32 sections of 0-72 or 16 sections of 0-72 and 12 of 0-54. The chances of finding that much track anywhere is the same as finding a grain of rice in a grits truck. I pulled the last straw today when Train World didn't have any. There is no other option. I think I am probably going to have to switch to using Atlas 21st century track. Sell all of my Scaletrax (which should be pretty easy on eBay) and use that money to buy the Atlas Track.
I have about 30 sections of 10in. straights, 16 sections of flextrack, and 6 switches.
Do you think this is the best thing to do? Would you do this if you was in this situation?
I don't think its much of an option anymore. Its pretty much neccessary. It's not really that big of a deal, but is a slight dissapointment. I just dont feel like waiting 6 months or a year for track to get back into stock. Atlas track does look pretty good too.
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
Grayson,I love my Atlas Track. Once it is down and ballasted it looks fabulous. The switches are a bit delicate, so becareful when you pull them out of the boxes.
Grayson, Did you try Ready to Roll, I understand they carry a lot of Scaletrax.
http://www.readytorolltrains.com/
Hello Grayson:
I am sorry to hear that you are running into a problem getting the track you need. When I was getting ready to start my layout I was leaning toward Scaletrax (lower profile, thinner center rail) but none of the local train shops in my area kept it in stock. I then chose Atlas because it was far more readily available and, while having a higher profile, has better tie spacing.
I second Brent's comments regarding the switches. Not only are they delicate, they present some challenges during the wiring phase. However, once they are tuned up, they work great.
Good luck,
John
jefelectric Grayson, Did you try Ready to Roll, I understand they carry a lot of Scaletrax. http://www.readytorolltrains.com/
Thanks for telling me that John. I sent them a email. Hopefully they will have some.
Grayson,
Ready To Roll is the largest supplier of MTH in the state of Florida, so you should be able to buy the MTH track there. Another place to try is the Roundhouse South near Daytona Beach FL, www.roundhousesouth.com or telephone 386-304-7003. Both places have been extremely helpful to me!!
Lee F.
Just got a email back from Ready to Roll. No luck. Scaletrax is "in prodution" but hasn't shipped yet. Roundhouse has none either.
Guess I'm switching to Atlas.
For what it's worth, I had exactly the same problem with Realtrax a year ago. Nothing to be had. I waited it out and here it is, everything available again. If you need it NOW, get what you can. If you can wait awhile, it should come back (unless there's something we don't know going on!).
Hey Grayson, might be able to help ya...but first...
you were using scaletrax have you ever thought of Gargraves and the big plus is its made right here in the good ole US of A and they have all kinds of sizes just for you .
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
play me a sad sad song
"3-rail operators? I call my self a 2 railers with a spare!"
I can appreciate Grayson's angst and caution. Starting with a clean slate and buiding a new layout, the track and switch selection is critical. Appearance, functionality, and cost between tracks....not a cut and dry decision.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
I second this! Gargraves looks very good on cork and ballasted. Love the natural wood tie look. last time I looked a good deal Atlas flex track was about 10 to 11 dollars a piece for a 3 foot long piece. Gargraves new is about 5 to 6 dollars. Went to a train show and bought a whole box over 100 pieces for 30 bucks.... gargraves is everywhere. The switches however seem to be a little on the cheep side, lots of jumper wires needed, but they are very reliable. I prefer the looks of Atlas track and switches but just cannot afford the price right now...
I too have heard scaletrax is not stocked by many dealers, difficult to get, and I've never seen it for sale in any shops. Selling it off may be easier done than said. Hard to say. Atlas swithes are good. Toss the machines for Z stuff Z-1000 machines. Atlas machines are cheesy.
I have customers that use MTH and currently it is made of unobtainium. The current re-order date is 10/09 of all things. If you have invested in MTH track, then I would understand. My customers as buying anything that MTH sells and we are even getting used track and selling it. You just cannot get it. And to me it is puzzeling. My opinion is that if you can't get the track (and the MTH stuff is severly lacking in quality in my opinion), why bother? But if it were me, I would second the vote of Atlas. I love my Fastrack and will continue to use it, as I have a "small" investment in that. I have looked at replacing all my Fastrack with Atlas. For me it is cost prohibitive, to sell all my Fastrack and go Atlas. The Atlas stuff is superior in looks and quality. Not a big fan of the switches, mind you, as I have seen some issues with it. Rated in my book Fastrack a 9 and Atlas an 8 for sure..
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Well, last chance came today. I saw that Trainz was selling 0-72 curves on ebay and the listing said "more than 10 available". I was hopeful but I knew they wouldn't have 32 sections. They only had 12 after asking.
On the subject of Gargraves, I have looked at it before and do not like it. Call me a "3RS Guy" but I like my track to look as best as possible. To me, Scaltrax was the best looking (more realistic rail height) but Atlas was always the next best.
Another member here is offering to sell me a bunch of Atlas track for a reasonable price. Before I make any large purchases however, I am going to order a few sections off of eBay or something and see how I like the track in person.
I just ordered a few sections of Atlas track from Bob at AMHobbies (which I buy a lot of Atlas cars from, they are sometimes $20 off retail price) on eBay and I bought them with Buy it Now. When I went to the page were you select the quanity you want, my eyes popped out of my head when I saw "435 Available"!
You would never see that with ScaleTrax!
All kdding aside did you try all on the list below? http://204.156.4.220/external/panel2.asp
Louisiana Southern Pacific All kdding aside did you try all on the list below? http://204.156.4.220/external/panel2.asp Name City State Zip TNC ENTERPRISES ELIZABETHTOWN KY 42701 TRAIN WORLD BROOKLYN NY 11218 TRAINS N THINGS - VINELAND VINELAND NJ 08360 K & K TRAIN AND HOBBY LLC UTICA NY 13502 BUSSINGER TRAINS AMBLER PA 19002 B & F HOBBIES WAKEFIELD RI 02879 GLENS TRAIN SHOP AKRON OH 44311 JAC HOBBY LAVAL PQ H7G 2E7
I tried most all of those a while back looking for more track as well. And not to be pessimistic, but the chances of finding 32 sections of 0-72 ScaleTrax anywhere is pretty much 10,000 to 1.
The good thing is because I don't have a huge layout, I don't have that much track. Which means it not like I bought hundreds of sections and it's a nightmare to switch to a different system.
I'm pretty much set on Atlas, but I will see when my sample track gets here.
here's my on this topic. as stated by two previous posters gargraves track can be found year round its more costly than some other brands but if you plan on rebuilding your layout then it will be there unless your really hard on removing it.
as to switches most have there preferences and thats fine I've tried a few and discovered this you cannot beat the ross line of switches there like the old lionel trains and timex watches they'll take a lic'in and keep on going. are they expensive yes are they worth it well buy one and try it if like me you'll never look at the rest again .
I have the same switches from ross about 10 years back I've yet to have a problem with them and I also use the tortise switch machines all 18 are 10 years young and are running as if they were youngsters. but please try one or at least call ross custom switches great group and they can help you decide what type of switch is good for you and your layouts needs. I believe you can even buy gargraves track direct from them too.
the other advantage to gargraves track you can use spade type lugs to power track/block sections and no visible wire showing you can create track activated sections and no need to isolate the 2 outer rails if you use gargraves track. hope this helps you in deciding what to or not do. if you look closely at alot of the layouts in both train mags you'll see a whole lot of gargraves and ross being used. only my opinion but if your willing to spend 500.00-1500.00 on a engine then why scrimp on the track it has to run on!
I Think Atlas O Look's great as in this photo
The Atlas track is tops, we have it on the club layout and it really has stood up well to the useage that it has received. Remember we are open six days a week at the museum, sometimes seven, so you can understand that ours sees much more use than a home layout would ever see in a lifetime. Not to mention that we have all quality ranges of operators & equipment. If you do go with the Atlas I second the reccommendation of Z-Stuff switch motors. We have one 90* crossing that has really started to show some wear, don't know if the newer ones are better or not.
All of our track is first generation from when they first started making "O" gauge.
Do a "cut & paste" of the club link at the bottom and you can look around.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Atlas and Gargraves/Ross are probably the two most popular choices with hi railers. Both are good track systems. When you add up track and switches, both total out about the same money wise. Both have their pros and cons. If you're running postwar with magnetraction, Gargraves is probably a better choice. But, Atlas rail profile looks better than Gargraves and ties look better proportioned. If you're running modern stuff with traction tires, magnetic permability is not a concern so Atlas is a good choice. Either way, you'll have a good sound track system so it's win win.
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