Have a plan down an all, and I was suggested to use Kato Unitrack. I am considering this possibility but if I do how does the track get powered and how often should I put a feeder in. I know Kato has track pieces that have feeders already built in and if I remember right they also have feeder jointers but they were big an ugly and, white. As of now my plan is using all Atlas track with code 55 flex track and #5 turn outs but I don't know if I want to mess around with trying to mark out and then cut track lengths, especially since it's a dog bone shaped layout and there's some curves in there that are pretty big and have an odd angle (if I remember right one is a 22 inch radius cut at 11.25 degrees...) I have no problem using sectional track as this is my first layout and the ease of it is very appealing. Plus with sectional the layout might be easier in general to do, I know I wouldn't need anything like that weird curve piece I mentioned before.
flex track is the way to go. can you find sectional track in code 55? there will be less 'rail connections' and therefore less areas for derailments. it take a bit longer to get the track down with all the time consuming steps, but you will be pleased with the results. practice make perfect and with todays laytex caulk, it is easy to make repairs/upgrades to poorly laid sections of track.
Sectional track will allow quick assembly of the manufacturer's suggested track plan, and will go down without kinks if you exercise a little care. However, it locks you in to the manufacturer's choice of curve radii and specialwork geometry - and NO sectional track system will allow proper spiral easements where tangents become curves. It's also impossible to form proper vertical curves for grades.
OTOH, with flex track YOU decide everything about your track geometry. Need to lay a 26.37 inch (670mm) radius curve? No problem. Want to go for a smooth spiral easement (and appropriate superelevation?) Just do it. Granted, laying perfectly straight tangents and smooth, kink-free curves is a little more difficult than assembling snap-together track sections. It is not diamond-cutting or watchmaking.
Then there is the cost factor. For the difference in price between Kato Unitrack (aka 'The High-Priced Spread') and good old Atlas flex, you will be able to add a cut of freight cars or a low-price locomotive to your roster. (I often wonder why anyone seriously recommends Unitrack. IMHO, it doesn't even look realistic!)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on Atlas flex with hand-laid specialwork)
"and NO sectional track system will allow proper spiral easements where tangents become curves. It's also impossible to form proper vertical curves for grades."
Sounds like an opportunity for the manufacturers. They could easily make a proper easement for each of their different radii. I suspect that two sections for the left and two sections for the right would do it. I am considering using one of the brands of snap-together track for one of my main line curves, just for the heck of it. However, if I make the easements from flex track, there isn't much track left for the snap-together sections. I haven't decided yet if it'd be worth it, just for the heck of it.
I am also considering, against all recommendations and advice, using some antique brass track I recently bought, just for the heck of it. It's the nostalgia thing - my first layout in 1952 was brass flex track on fibre ties with staple-like clips holding it together. It had four spike holes in every other tie. We put a spike in each and every hole, and the local jeweler gave us a tiny piece of gold wire for the golden spike.
cordon "and NO sectional track system will allow proper spiral easements where tangents become curves. It's also impossible to form proper vertical curves for grades." Sounds like an opportunity for the manufacturers. They could easily make a proper easement for each of their different radii. I suspect that two sections for the left and two sections for the right would do it. I am considering using one of the brands of snap-together track for one of my main line curves, just for the heck of it. However, if I make the easements from flex track, there isn't much track left for the snap-together sections. I haven't decided yet if it'd be worth it, just for the heck of it. I am also considering, against all recommendations and advice, using some antique brass track I recently bought, just for the heck of it. It's the nostalgia thing - my first layout in 1952 was brass flex track on fibre ties with staple-like clips holding it together. It had four spike holes in every other tie. We put a spike in each and every hole, and the local jeweler gave us a tiny piece of gold wire for the golden spike.
Somehow, I think that the manufacturers would rather avoid adding easement sections to their inventories - five kinds of sections instead of one for a simple 180 degree turnback curve would NOT make the bean counter happy - and every manufacturer has a bean counter. Also, adding easements to published track plans would undoubtedly lead to a need for other non-standard sections, not to mention confusing the De'il out of folks who don't have a background in civil engineering...
The way I lay curves (with easements) a 180 degree turnback curve has about 120 degrees (four snap-sections?) of true curvature. It would be easy to combine the necessary sections with flex - I'd do it if I had any 24 inch radius sections among my collection of sectional track (acquired at yard sales by my sister.) Laid in the Netherworld, where the sun doesn't shine, who would ever know?
The bumper ends of my back-in freight staging yards are laid with brass rail flex - or with raw brass rail spiked directly to a pine plank. It's also good for the bumper ends of industrial spurs (simulates the look of gently rusted rail.) I even have some of that ancient fiber-tie flex in my junk collection...
If you get the impression that I've been a model railroader for a LONG time, you got it in one...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTT ... and every manufacturer has a bean counter.
... and every manufacturer has a bean counter.
I was once accused during my career of being a "bean counter." The accusation was made by an indigenous American. I was attempting to measure the success of his government-funded enterprise, but he had no quantifiable goals. Too bad the funding agency didn't require same. To his credit, he later apologized.
And while twice accused of being a racist in the course of my duties, I didn't take it personal and chalked it up as attempts to obscure abusive acts.
Mark
Bean Counter? Which form of bean are they counting?
Actually I kind of wonder about this thread question as I think that both flex and sectional can be used--as long as they both are the same code.
As for the bean counter--it depends on whether the critter is a stratagic guy or just a stick in the mud book keeper--But It Costs Money!! type--
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
I assume we're discussing N scale here. But I agree with Barry, both sectional and flex-track can be used together successfully. Most of my HO scale Yuba River Sub is laid with Atlas and Sinohara code 100 flex-track for the main line, however I did use Bachmann EZ wide radius (36" curve) sectional track on one section where I needed an EXACT and fool-free radius around a very high, steep-sided mountain pass that is 6 actual feet from a concrete garage floor. I was able to give the sectional track a 'non-geometrical' look by using some half-section curves and shorter pieces of sectional straight track. With the rails soldered together and feeders to every 24" of track, it's worked flawlessly for me the past seven years.
Sectional track is not the perfect answer if you're looking for a 'flowing' non-geometrical mainline, however it can be used in conjunction with flex-track quite well.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I haven't used sectional track since 1960 when the HO layout was the floor's rug and haven't missed it since. Regardless, mixing sectional with flex track works dandy if you accept the shortcomings of sectional track.
I use sectional track at Christmas for a dept 56 display for my wife. As I must pull this apart and stor it every year, flex track would not be appropropriate. My layout is another matter. I am now in the process of laying track, and have selected both Atlas and ME code 83 for this project after much research and reading all the comments from the modelers on this site and others.