Track Selection

[Anonymous]

Hi
I am in the process of building an "O" scale layout. The bench work will be an "L" shaped 11' x11' long x 64" wide table. I am looking for advise from experienced layout builders regarding the best track to use. I am looking at MTH Real Trax, vs Atlas 3 rail nickle silver, or Ross Track. Considerations are as follows: 1) Price vs trade off for realistic detail. 2) Trade off for time to install, using cork with Atlas or Ross vs gluing 1" foam board to ply wood deck, for sound deading with Real Trax. 3) Trouble free switches.
Any ideas would be appreciated, Daryl Schreiner
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[wrmcclellan]

Darco,

I have used all the tracks you mention except Ross (which from what I have seen amd read is very good quality). I will let the others provide their opinions.

My layout is 031 tubular with Lionel switches - but this is because of the "look" I was trying to achieve. I cut wood ties to fill in the gaps and ballsted everything. Our club uses Atlas O 3-rail NS. We have had problems with the internal electrical reliability of the Atlas switches (meaning we are constantly soldering jumpers when the internal connections come loose and nearly half of them have after about 3 years. I hear others say the the Ross switches are very good.

We have also had to solder all the rail joints on the Atlas track (just like the HO and N scale folks do) in addition to the feeders every 6 feet. The Atlas rail joiners are not reliable for long term electrical continuity.

I think you need to consider how you want the layout to look as part of your decision. You might even buy a few pieces of each track and try it out on a short section for the look you wi***o achieve.

If you are going hi-rail (i.e. somewhat scale in appearance - but using Lionel accessories and other non-scale things) - then any of the tracks will work. If you are going to look for a purely scale look - then you would want to choose Ross, Atlas, and/or Gargraves. If you are going for the classic toy train look - then tubular may be the best choice.

Another consideration is whether you want to ballast the track. Ballasting track is a hard job and it takes a lot of time and care (to avoid fouling switches, etc.). If you do not like to ballast track - then go with the MTH. I have seen some nice photos recently where MTH has been used with extra ballast added along the sides to break up the monotony. This looks really good and you avoid ballasting between the rails.

There have been several articles in CTT (Jan 2005 is one) about track and appearance. Also tips on how to minimize the amount of ballast with use of various fillers in or outside the track.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Hi Roy
Thanks for the quick reply....I am a novice to this hobby, and at 70 somewhat self conscious about reverting back to a childhood attraction to O guage trains, and the desire to fullfill a life long urge to build a layout. I am not sure what is ment by Hi-Rail, but if that is a layout to scale with landscaping, then that is the direction I am headed. I built a World War II diaorama, which turned out quite well, and am somewhat familiar with the process. Your Idea of useing Real Trax with ballast on the side is something I have been considering, in the intrest of time, but without totally loseing detail. Thanks again for the suggestions. Darco

[wrmcclellan]

Hi Darco,

Hi-Rail represents a portion of the hobby where the hobbiest uses toy train track and trains but attempts to make the setup represent something closer to what a scale hobbiest would do. A Hi-Railer layout thus will be sceniced like a scale layout, but may incorporate some of the more realistic looking toy train accessories (i.e. not out of proportion with a 1:48 world - like the Lionel gateman accessory).

From what you describe - I think you would be happy with the MTH track and some additional ballast along the sides for additional realism. You could also dry brush or wash some other highlights onto the MTH molded ballast for further effect.

Have fun and let us know how it is going!

Regards,
Roy