baaaad track

[Anonymous]

I am always messing around with my N scale railroad, thus the track takes quite a beating. However, I have noticed that Bachmann's EZ track is no good at all! Even brand new switches only last a little bit (a month) until the mechanism breaks and they have to be held down by hand. Are there any track systems that are recommended for good switch performance that do have plastic roadbed?
It would be prohibitive to switch (haha[:D]) track systems entirely.
Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Well I don't know about switch performance - someone else here could better comment on that - but Atlas does have it's True-Track system that uses a code 83 track on a gray plastic roadbed.

[Anonymous]

Don't fret. Without a diagram this might be hard to explain, but there was a neat article in MR years ago about simply using music wire to control and hold your turnouts. It was called an RS2, for "ridiculously simple" , 2nd version. My whole layout is controlled this way, an 11X32 with a 2 foot shelf around the room with about 50 turnouts. They have been in place for about 5 years!!

cut a 1.5 inch section, bend one end about 1/8 inch at 90 degrees. This will fit into the tie at the points on the turnout . Now depending if you have mounting holes in your track or not , you may have to drill your own, at about 3/4 inches bend the wire again at 90 degrees, this portion will be inserted into the roadbed along the centre line of your track. So you now have a wire that is shaped like a small letter "r", sort of. More like the greek letter gamma I believe. The key is to ensure that the horizontal section of the wire that is on top of the track between the points tie and the insertion hole is ever so slightly longer. This gives it the springing and locking action. There should be a slight bend in the wire at all times. Hobby shops sell this wire at less than a buck a piece for a three foot section. Enough wire for about 24 turnouts. Hey I did my whole empire for 2 bucks! Good luck.

[Wdlgln005]

Since you want plastic trak and your EZtrack takes a beating, your only choice is to look at LifeLike and buy Kato Unitrack. Better save your dollars & don't beat your track!

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest Unitrack as well - it's designed to be repeatedly set up and dismantled (was designed for Japanese modellers who often don't have space for a permanent layout). I have a couple of pieces which I was given as a free sample with a price list - it looks to be a superb quality system.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to agree, kato unitrack is the best n scale track+roadbed system.

[JPowell]

Well, I know this was meant for N, but what about HO? I have Bachmann HO for my layout, but I am no where's near to having my benchwork done, so my track is not together, except when I'm tring out various options for the layout itself.