Track choice

[tfabrizio]

Hey guys,

I recently moved into a new house that has a large basement! I am looking to build a layout that is approx 16x8 and I mostly operate postwar trains. 

Anwyay, I am looking at all of the track types that are available on the market today and I am wondering what you guys think of them. I have experience with FastTrack (just around the Xmas Tree) and 027 tubular track (switches were a pain). As far as the other brands go, what do you guys think of them? What is the best track type and brand on the market today? Are there reliable switches available for 027 track?

Thanks.

[rtraincollector]

if you click on this link it will take you to another post basiclly about the same thing and it may give you some answers your looking for at present it about 6 post down from you but that can change by the minute http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/213786.aspx 

[overall]

I have had good luck with the Atlas track system. The only draw back with it is that the rail joiners can build up resistance over a period of time and cause dead spots. This is very easiliy over come by soldering jumpers around the rail joiners when this happens. Atlas switches operate very well. I very seldom have a derailment while running trains through them. Also, I have had good luck with the Ross Custom Switches too. Once again, I very seldom have derailments while running trains through them.

George

[servoguy]

I use O-31 tubular track for 8 reasons:  1. It is very cheap.  I usually pay 50 cents to a dollar for a section.  2. The 022 switches work very reliably after I restore them.  3. I can cut the track to any length I want.  4. I can cut down the 022 switches to make yards or sidings with the tracks close together.  5. The 022 switches are cheap, usually less than $10 each.  I can buy wider diameter track than O-31:  42, 54, 60, 72, and I can buy switches for these wider curves.  7. The track is much quieter than FasTrack.  8. I can get a lot of track in a small space.

[phillyreading]

I like the looks of 031, but need the curve spacing of 042 for some of my trains. Also use 027 for some of my layout, easy to work with and can be cut to fit like other tubular track, also easy to mate up to Gargraves switches.

[lionelsoni]

I use O27-profile track, with O27, O34, O42, O54, and O72 curves.

[RockIsland52]

A lot of solid, valid viewpoints here, practical ones to boot. What about which track appears more realistic?  Or how important is the nostalgia of the O27 look?  Or the toy train look?  What about the appearance of each track choice on open elevated sections.....where the underside of the track may be in view? 

I have been totally happy for decades with the many advantages O27 tubular (and up).  Strangely, my wife liked the FasTrak I bought for the Christmas layout a couple of years back.  Never thought she would even notice or care.  She thought it looked more realistic.  I wasn't stupid enough to tell her what it cost per section (or switch).. 

The latter does snap together, stay together, and I don't experience the old power drops requiring (as many) jumpers or soldering track joints.

Jack

[anjdevil2]

I have had professional experience with several track manufacturers and this is my conclusion:

Fastrack is great, can be reconfigured anytime and the electrical continuity/connectivity is superior.  Noisy.

Atlas "O" is marvelous, looks and runs good.  MagneTraction won't work as it's nickle/silver alloy. Quiet. As stated, it's possible the shoes/plates build up resistance, but I have not seen it in6 years of operation.

Tubular/Legacy 3 rail: The real deal, cheap and nostalgic.  Classic "toy" look.  Can come apart if not assembled correctly or secured.  Mega amounts of accessories.

ReaTrax: Poor imitation of FasTrack. Connectivity issues, switches prone to failure. 

I have no experience with ScaleTrax, GarGraves or Ross.

For temporary layouts I rely on Fastrack.  I have amassed a fair amount Atlas O for my permanent layout.  I'm not necessarily sold on the Atlas switches, but Ross and GarGraves (so I'm told) connect to Atlas with no issues.  So, this remains (for me) a viable option.

[KRM]

lionelsoni

I use O27-profile track, with O27, O34, O42, O54, and O72 curves.

 First off,,, my is thank you all for your

 I run Lionel 027 with 42" 54" and some Marx 34" and on my small inner loop I use 27". I do like the profile.

I don't like the Lionel switches much and 42" is the largest I can get and as far as I know 54" is the widest Lionel curve,

 Bob, Who's track are you using? I would like some 72" curves and wider switches for the 10'x6' addition.

 Tks,

 Kev.

[lionelsoni]

I have bought O34 when I found it in decent shape at train shows.  My O42-O54-O72 is all K-Line.  I stocked up when Lionel took them over.  I now have what I think is a lifetime supply of all these, plus K-Line 36-inch straights.  I haven't looked; but I would think that the extinct K-Line sizes could be found on E-Bay and at shows, just like the O34, which hasn't been made for many years.

For turnouts, I am using Lionel O27, Marx O34, and Lionel and K-Line O42.  I cut down turnouts as needed--there's not much left of the 512x's in my yard throat.

[KRM]

Thank You Bob,

 I never even thought about K-Line track. I was out of the hobby for years and missed most of the K-Line era

 

[phillyreading]

I bought a small amount of Lionel's Fastrac to see what it was like before taking the big plunge! I am dis-appointed with Fastrac; it got dirty really quick, the electrical advantage was not there, small pieces get costly and difficult to do any fancy curve work with. Traded off all my Fastrac for an MTH engine at a train show. Had enuff Fastrac for a 3 ft. by 9 ft. layout, was using 36 inch curves and half curves, when I used the half curves is when the track spacing problem popped up, needed small fitter pieces to do half curves and keep track ligned up.

[Frank53]

Tubular doesn't have to be "toy train"

[ChiefEagles]

Most are now using Gargraves with Ross Switches.  Cost more but does a great job.  Looks real good too. 

[Frank53]

Most responses here have made reference to tubular. All depends on what you are looking to achieve. You can go with the high price track and if you're willing to put the effort into making a realistic environment around the track by weathering the rails, ballasting and bringing realism to the scene it will look nice. If you're going to make a plywood prairie with the most prestigious track/switch combination, it's probably not worth the cost - which is significant.

A few years ago a fellow was starting a layout and decided on FasTrack and bought a ton of it - very expensive proposition. After a while, he gave into peer pressure and decided to rip it all up and go with Gargraves Track and Ross Switches. Probably lost a lot of money reselling that used FasTrack.

Nonetheless he started laying the Gargraves track and since he was laying it right on plywood it wasn't coming out very well. and the plywood did nothing to capitalize on the look of the expensive, but popular, track. He ended up giving up and was going to go into "N." He probably had a small fortune invested in a hobby he never saw through.

Point being, you've got to walk before you run. It's easy to get caught up in what the "experts" say you should do and it can be overwhelming. Find your own comfort zone and tweak it as you go along. Personally, I used tubular for the nostalgia factor but tried to make it more real. It was dirt cheap to do and I could cover up the lack of realism with a little extra work. Do what feels right for you.

 

[Frank53]

KRM

 I run Lionel 027 with 42" 54" and some Marx 34" and on my small inner loop I use 27". I do like the profile.

Bob, Who's track are you using? I would like some 72" curves and wider switches for the 10'x6' addition.

I believe you can purchase o72 diameter track in the o27 profile.

[jonadel]

Frank53

Do what feels right for you.

While that statement seems OK I believe it's short sighted in the fact that while XYZ track might "feel right" today, the real question is where do you want to be a year from now?  If you want a simple figure eight layout then by all means go simple and make it easy, if you see yourself wanting to increase your layout size in future years consider carefully how you want it to look and ease of function. 

I would go forward slowly and look hard at "what the experts" recommend.

[AF53]

I've found the best track to use is the original American Flyer track from the late 1940's and 1950's. Stays together well and has the true nostalgia look. All the others use too much metal!

Couldn't resist!

[rtraincollector]

AF53

I've found the best track to use is the original American Flyer track from the late 1940's and 1950's. Stays together well and has the true nostalgia look. All the others use too much metal!

Just had to thought this in!

Only problem with that track is its missing a rail down the middle.

[KRM]

I think what Chief, Frank53 and Jon have said is all good information and well put. I was completely out of the hobby for many years and when I started with my first layout since childhood I went with what I knew. In hind site I would not have went with Lionel 027-profile track but now I will just live with it. I have way too many switches and track to go back now. Track consideration should be the first thing you work through and you are lucky and wise to be doing so. Track is one of, if not the most expensive part of a layout. Two rails or three rails.

Frank53 Do you have any links for 027 profile 72R track?

 

[arkady]

My PW layout is all FasTrack, and has been for several years.  No problems of any kind.

[Frank53]

KRM

Frank53 Do you have any links for 027 profile 72R track?

I am almost certain my local shop sells it. I am going there tomorrow and will check.

[Frank53]

KRM

Frank53 Do you have any links for 027 profile 72R track?

Went to the hobby shop today to look for the track. o54 was the largest I found. I mist have mistake standard profile tubular of o27 profile.

[palallin]

K-Line made it once upon a time--I have a half circle stowed away somewhere.

[ChiefEagles]

KEV, try Todd's Train Depot, 919-365-5006 [after 1 PM EST adn before 5] and talk to Mrs. Edna.  She use to carry it as I bought it when I had the "Carpet RR".  Gave it all to Doug M, I think.  She may have sold out.  Worth a try.  

[Frank53]

jonadel

Frank53

Do what feels right for you.

While that statement seems OK I believe it's short sighted in the fact that while XYZ track might "feel right" today, the real question is where do you want to be a year from now?

Well, I wish I could make decisions based on what conditions will be like a year from now, but my crystal ball has been on the fritz for a while now.

I would go forward slowly and look hard at "what the experts" recommend.

I would certainly recommend learning from the experience of others, both good and bad. The great thing about on-line forums is you can learn from others mistakes. The downside is, not everyone is in the same situation and folks do have a tendency to disregard factors like cost when it is someone else's money.

On-line forums are littered with casualties who are influenced by others about diving in blindly with both feet. This is a hobby where you have to walk before you run or you're going to end up like Reggie did - with boxes and boxes of stuff you've spent thousands of dollars on and found you were just plain over your head and you give up in frustration.

Everyone has an opinion on what someone else should do, Finding your own spot and your own comfort level and making the most of it is reasonable advice. There are plenty of fabulous layouts out there using Fastrack, RealTrack, tubular - o31 or o27 and many other less prestigious or less impressive track systems. - and a lot of marginal ones too. Likewise, there are a plenty of poor layouts made with the best track and switches money can buy. 

[ChiefEagles]

jonadel

Frank53

Do what feels right for you.

While that statement seems OK I believe it's short sighted in the fact that while XYZ track might "feel right" today, the real question is where do you want to be a year from now?  If you want a simple figure eight layout then by all means go simple and make it easy, if you see yourself wanting to increase your layout size in future years consider carefully how you want it to look and ease of function. 

I would go forward slowly and look hard at "what the experts" recommend.

Jon, you always make wise comments.

[Frank53]

ChiefEagles

Jon, you always make wise comments.

Chief, you always make wise comments. 

[KRM]

I feel the love,

Thanks to all of you, I think the original poster tfabrizio has run for cover.

Chief, and Frank53,  Bob Nelson did point me to the Old K-Line 027 profile track and yes they did make 072 curves. Lionel never did as far as I know, like Frank53 found out only 054.

Chief, can you just ask her the next time you are there? It is not a big deal but I would like to find some. I have plenty of time on this addition. I am not in a rush like I was when I did the first table.

 I still think that tfabrizio was wise to ask before doing in this case.

Thanks again, I am stuck with what I started with and will make the best of it. At least I hope tfabrizio has time to look all of the options over.

[lionelsoni]

This guy has been selling several 16-piece boxes of new K-Line O27-profile O72 each month on E-Bay for around $60:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/K-LINE-0-27-BULK-PACK-16-PCS-72-CURVED-TRACK-K-0226-/160950600511?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item257967433f