Thank you guyz!!!
My planned layout is 9 x 14 L tipe 2 lvls. I had problems in doing the calculations for the train to go to the next lvl lol. Or it could end whit the traditional 4x8, the time will tell.
I allways had steel rails, I thought that brass was the same. I one time had a N scale round train that had nickel silver rail. Now i know that LOL, i got it 20 years ago, and didnt took care of it, now I feel bad lol.
Code 100 track is the common type right?? i know about code 87, 55.
I allways looked at the MR magazine showing the 25 pieces box of flex track dating back to 1998. I got like 5 now lol, the magazine is not available here in Panama.
I was thinking in using the EZ because I have 3 sets of circles. I know is bachmann trains, but wow, compared to the ones that I had in 1993 to 1995 are superior, even the locomotive is good, only need DCC. Love the EZ couplers, now the train can run foward and reverse and no derrailments!!! I only saw the body mounted couplers on the exotic expensive stuff. LOL
May use the track for a r 18 template. I wont use the road bed for sure. Only me will know that is not protipical, but the other people that may someday see it wont know hehehehehe.
NS and flex track is the way then, thanks!!!
Nickel Silver track with good quality metal wheels on all wheels on your trains every day will keep it shiney and clean longer.
Brass will ruin electrical contact over time. I almost quit the hobby as a child due to bras track's poor qualities.
I simply take a rag and wipe rails once a week and the rails clean right up for me.
Regarding trackplan, the cost of anything has gone up alot. But I will always say that track is cheap however you do it. Flextrack is very easy to do, Sectional Track limits you a little bit. But with careful planning sectional track will not be limiting. I use Kato myself and have achieved all my goals on phase one of my construction.
Cesar, I use Atlas flex track in code 100. For the prices it is tough to beat at $2.79 for 3 foot. I all so like the fact if you need a little give here or there you can tweak the flex track. Down side is it take a little while to get use to cutting the flex track, not hard just some practices.
Most of my track for now does not have road bed under it and been working fine for 3 years now. As you get more advanes you will want road bed just like I have. My new section has road bed.
All so to the site.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Welcome to the forum. If what you plan is a variation on a flat 4x8 or 4x12 EZ track is easy. If you plan soimething more creative, with bridges and grades, flex track is much easier and less expencive.
If this is a temporary or trail layout, the brass track is fine and less expernsive, but unless you run trains every day, NS will last longer between cleanings by a long meassure.
For main line runs, you will probably want road bed. For yards, I lay the flex right on the table.
Hi! You don't have to use roadbed under your track, but it looks more realistic and makes your track more quit. Since your on a budget, I would recommend using Atlas code 100 track. It's fairly inexpensive and pretty durable. This has nickle silver rail so it won't rust. Try to stay away from brass track.http://www.nhshobbies.com/category_s/55.htmI don't know who sells it in Panama, but I'm sure it's available.
Being that brass track has become somewhat rare you have a choice between steel track and nickel-silver. Steel track costs less but is harder to keep clean. Nickel-silver costs a little more but is easier to keep clean. On the subject of EZ-Track vs Flex track, you can open a real can of worms with this subject. I like the nickel-silver EZ-Track because I find it easier to work with and if the scenery is planned accordingly it can be sceniked and ballasted quite well. I've had guests who just about knocked each other out arguing over which part of my layout was EZ-Track and which was Flex Track and not realizing that it is all EZ-Track. Once in a while I needed a piece of a certain length that Bachmann doesn't make so I would have to cut a piece to fill the gap, sometimes as short as 3/4 of an inch. EZ-Track comes in 18", 22", 26", 28" 33.25" and 35.5" radius. If you want wide sweeping curves and don't want to be restricted to a certain radius then Flex Track is what you want.
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Hi
Im new in the forum, but not for the hobby.
Since I was a kid 6 years old My dad have bought me Bachmann and Life-Like train sets, and some buildings, even switches, when I got a bit older, but we didnt have the means to make a layout. I live overseas where Im preety sure that me is the only one here who knows that the trains are for just more than running around the Xmas Tree.
Im planning in building a layout now that I can. A mid size I believe
I have experience only whit Brass HO track. I have a set now that is EZ track whit brass, but this time they have resisted the rust more than the ones in the past. Is that bad at all to make a layout using brass track??
Im thinking in using EZ track for the layout, or flex track instead, do I have mandatory to use road bed to ballast it???. NS or brass??? Im on the budget side!!!