HO floor track systems

[3railguy]

I am having a novice entry into HO where I will be setting track up on the floor occasionally to run equipment I am accumalating. I've seen a few track systems with built in roadbed such as Bachman, Lifelike, and Unitrack. This is the way I'd like to go. Are there other systems? Can anyone give me any recomendations or pros and cons on these systems?

[Big_Boy_4005]

John, just because that stuff has the roadbed on it, don't think that you can't still pick up carpet fibers and the like. With my standard warning out of the way, I like the looks of the Kato, if you must.[sigh][;)]

[bcammack]

Unitrack is the best, bar none, and can cost a bit more although the quality is worth it and you can find good pricing at www.toytrainheaven.com for the stuff. There is a broad assortment of track types and curve radii. One downside is that all of the measurements are metric so you have to convert them to inches unless you're savvy with metric.

On the other hand, you can usually score the Life-Like and Bachmann stuff cheaply used at swap meets and train shows. I bought about half an oval of used Life-Like for my grandson at one show for $2. Threw it in the top shelf of the dishwasher and it came out good as new. [:)] Fewer choices in curve radii, though.

[twhite]

One of the problems you're going to run into--and I say this from experience--is that sectional track in HO is a lot more sensitive to power-loss between joints then sectional track in AC 3-rail. If you want to go with a system that offers wide radii, then I'd go with Bachmann--Lifelike and Atlas only offer 22" radius in their sectional track, and the Bachmann seems to have a better locking system. I've heard good things about KATO, also, and they offer wide radius. I think their system is pretty expensive, though. You might want to look into it. Also, you'll have to learn to file down the points on HO sectional , since the ready-made ones are a little bumpy at the points and can send some of your train down the track that you DIDN'T set it for. Eventually, you'll get off the floor--we ALL do--and want to set up a more permanent layout. For that, you'll soon realize that flex-track is a lot more workable and electrically sound than those 8-1/2" sections. Good luck to you, have fun and enjoy. It's the greatest hobby in the world.

[Anonymous]

I'd say Unitrack is the way to go - I've had the chance to take a look at some of the N-scale Unitrack which is excellent in both engineering and appearence. The HO looks to be much the same from what I've seen. Bachmann would be cheaper, however, and I'm not sure what the maximum radius offered in Unitrack is - Bachmann offer up to 33in (or maybe more).

[3railguy]

Thanks for the info guys and the link. Sounds like Kato is worth considering. Am I reading this description right:?

QUOTE: "2250 R790-22.5 Deegree Curved Track (4) 10.00"

R790 means 790 mm (31.1") radius and 22.5 deg means 8 sections to a circle?

I don't have a place for an HO layout at this time and I'm itching to run this stuff. It will be a simple oval on a hardwood floor. T White, thanks I'll use two or three feeders to help continuty.

[Big_Boy_4005]

No John, 16 to the circle for all of the Katos radii. It means you can make eliptical curves by mixing radii.

Hardwood floor is better, but watch out for the dust bunnies.[swg]

[Anonymous]

I have a had good experince with Bachmann E-Z grack and the price is good, so I would recomend them.