types of G scale track to use

[Anonymous]

 Hi guys, i have been reading through alot of your threads.  I am getting ready to start up my railroad.  I have some questions for you guys.   I  want to go rc battery with my set, I am looking toward a aristo craft pa freight starter kit. ( unless you guys have any suggestions)  I was wondering if it could be ran on the bachman track or even the new bright track seeing i dont need track power,  the track will not be on the ground, it will be on a fence around the back yard supported by a mess griding.    I also later down the road would like to get a nice diesel from usa trains, i found one that has connections to be converted to battery power.    I also looked at mico engineering AL track.    so if you could give me some pros and cons on this, that would be great. 

[kstrong]

Go with the aluminum track. The Bachmann track will rust to oblivion in very short order. It's NOT for outdoor use. The plastic track might work, but you're limited to 2' radius curves, which are realistically too tight. (Okay, they do work, but...) Als, there are no switches to match.

The aluminum rail will let you build your railroad with the greatest flexability, and also allow for switches.

Later,

K

[altterrain]

Aluminum is definitely the way to go. I have not heard good things about ME track from one of the well known old timers here but there are a number of manufacturers of the track. Even Aristo will be reintroducing Al track this year.

A side note on the USA diesels - they are very nice but known power hogs. Aristo diesels have more efficient motors and are prewired for battery operation.

-Brian 

[Anonymous]

I searched alittle last night, for AL rail, but didnt have to much luck finding many sites.  Knowing there are so many hobby stores out there,  have any ones in mind that deal with AL track,, and the question of shipping,  would i be further to go to my nearest store and order from them, even if they were slightly more exspensive it might balance out the shipping cost.   I did find alot of brass track,,  around the price of 7 bucks a foot,, give or take some pennies.  ,          ok thanks guys,         ken

[Anonymous]

I was reading some more posts and I see some guys talking about AL track being the Bachman track,, now i thought the bachman track was regular steel that just rusted away, or do they make both.  also   one site i was on referred to AL as being micro engineering track, around 4.50 a foot.  whats your input on this guys,   ?             

[altterrain]

yes, you're right, Bachmann track is tin plated steel. 

Some Al track suppliers -

http://www.llagastrack.com/pricelist.html 

http://www.svrronline.com/

http://www.switchcrafters.com/

-Brian

[vsmith]

Bachmann track is STAMPED STEEL, not aluminum, its almost the same tinplate track stuff Lionel made for decades. It WILL rust away,

New Bright DOES make switches for plastic track, but its 2' radius, very limited as you cannot run larger stock on them.

Try Llagas Creek for AL track, MicroEngineering would be a another likely manufacturer in AL

One option is to buy plastic tie strips from Aristo, and just buy the rail from Llagas or Microengineering. Then all you need to buy or borrow a railbender to shape it.

[Anonymous]

Go with the aluminum track and nothing sould go wrong. What code you want? Code 250 or ?

Toad (Lots of Water in da Swamp!)

[Capt Bob Johnson]

OK toad, bet that left handed curve ball threw him for a loop!

Curious as to location, Butler County, Where???

[altterrain]

OK toad, bet that left handed curve ball threw him for a loop!

Curious as to location, Butler County, Where???

Google came up  Penn, Ohio, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

I'm going to guess Ohio.

-Brian 

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I was thinking PA, but had no idea how many states had a butler county!

[Anonymous]

Capt. Bob

  I like to know what state the people are from before i give  an answers ,  no state no answer.

 

[Anonymous]

MMM  code,  i have read some about that ,   ok you got me tell me about code, and how thats works.   I am in butler county pa,, about an hour and half above pittsburgh,,  in a little town called chicora,,    heres the zip it that helps, 16025,           

[Anonymous]

That was a loop? I thought it was a circle???

[altterrain]

MMM  code,  i have read some about that ,   ok you got me tell me about code, and how thats works.   I am in butler county pa,, about an hour and half above pittsburgh,,  in a little town called chicora,,    heres the zip it that helps, 16025,           

Track code refers to the height of the rail in thousandths of an inch. Standard large scale track is code 332 (or .332 inches) high. Some of the more "finescale" modelers like to run on code 250 or even 215 because it is a more prototypic rail height. The taller rail does have the advantage of being sturdier outdoors (takes being walked on better) and it gives you a bit more room to run over various debris (very advantageous in the outdoors).

Since you're in Pa, try to swing by the East Coast Large Scale Train Show (ECLSTS) in York, Pa the last weekend in March. Its one of the two biggest large scale shows in the country with lots of seminars, club displays and a big hall full of vendors. More info at - http://www.aristocraft.com/vbulletinforums/forumdisplay.php?f=24

-Brian 

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Since he's from way out there by Pittysburg, would the midwest show be closer for him?

BCB, you might want to go to top of forum and hit the update profile.  Don't be overly specific about your location, but a general idea of location is helpful in answering many questions.   What may work well in the desert of Arizona won't necessarily work well in Western Pennsy; likewise a product may have a different name on the west coast from what we call it here in the East! You get the idea?   Are you in an area where you get a lot of the lake effect snow?  If you are, you'll want a working snowplow for use on your layout!   Send me an e-mail addy and I'll e-mail you a couple of pix of a plow extra that ran on my layout here in Slower Lower Delaware a few days ago!

[altterrain]

Since he's from way out there by Pittysburg, would the midwest show be closer for him?

I bet he could drive to York and back before he got to Springfield, IL! 

-Brian 

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I'll not argue the point as I don't have my atlas here in the back room!

[Kiwi Down Under]

Ever thought of making it yourself and save your money for the rolling stock etc.

look at www.gscalechuffchuff.com

Have fun

Tony