Trains running on plastic track

[Anonymous]

I have a plastic track layout in my backyard which is permanently screwed down to 4 by 4 pressure treated posts. The diameter of the curve sections is roughly 4.5 feet. If you ever owned a g scale battery operated toy train set, you'll probably know width of the curve I'm talking about. I currently use Scientific Toys LTD.'s radio control battery operated train sets. These train engines suck. The engines produce a disturbing grinding sound as it moves and there is no speed control. The engine keeps derailing on the curve portions of my layout. Also, the engine itself looks too crappy and toyish for my beautiful layout. Can the Hartland Locomotive Works: Princess 2-4-4 G-Scale Forney Locomotive run on my plastic track? Especially on the curve sections without derailing? I'm going to convert the engine to battery, radio control operation as well.

[Anonymous]

I need some advice please.

[BudSteinhoff]

NO, plastic track should stay indoors and be used for toys.
Get some brass or stainless track.
Bud[8D]

[bman36]

Hi there,
The biggest problem with plastic track is that it warps and the actual guage of the track will change. More than likely this is what is causing your derailments. The heat from the sun will do this. For outdoor use as Bud says go with LGB or Aristo track. Sounds like you already have the right base to mount it to for your garden. Don't own any Hartland locos myself so I am not sure what radius they need to run on. Someone else here may know. Hope this helps. Later eh...Brian.

[vsmith]

Those engines by Scientific, Echo, New Bright are pure junk!

A while ago Garden Railways magazine featured an article about a guy in Florida whos RR was using these battery powered engines. He made his own track out of wood. seems like you might want to research this back issue. I cant remember what issue it was and Renee is on vacation. I think this might be an option if you dont want to pay for brass track. I personally would go with the brass track, but I wanted to mention this option.

[Anonymous]

Hi Disneyland
First ditch the track and replace it with propper track
that will cut some of the noise.
Then go and see the US distributor for JD models and buy a decent battery
powered locomotive it will not be cheap rubish or probably better for you find a US manufacturer of decent good quality battery powerd locomoitves if that fails, sorry you are going to have to build a decent battery locomotive with speed control and direction control.
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi Disneyland
Oops!! missed the bit on the Hartland loco that probably will not cope with the plastic track.
That is only a small locomotive so i would sugest making a water gin for it
Water Gin (Aust) a frieght wagon on iether four wheels or bogies for carrying water came in two types one for drinking water (not the one you want)
and one for locomotive extra water (the one you want) usually but not allways a low rectangular or 1/2 round tank.
Why do you want one you ask to set up as a battery tender for the locomotive set it up so it can also carry some of the control gear as well.
You should be able to rig it so it can be at the front or rear of the locomotive
as well so it dosen't end up being pushed by the train
regards John