Track - USA Trains vs AristoCraft vs LGB

[SRC53105]

I am getting started with G Scale (have had HO, N and Z) for decades.  I will have two layouts one inside and one outside.  I see little difference these three makers of track.  I would appreciate any constructive guidance or experience folks have with the three manufacturers.  I live in Wisconsin with heat, humidity, cold, fluid and solid moisture.  From my research, it seems that stainless steel is preferred outdoors and brass indoors any further constructive guidance here would be great.  Thanks!

[ttrigg]

LGB is going to become (if not already) impossible to find. In case you haven't heard, they don't exist anymore ((least not as we used to know them) Try Pico.

[vsmith]

All are perfectly fine for outdoor use.

All three are interchangable, Piko is very similar to LGB except for the radius geometery which is a little different. Aristo and USA actually come from the same factory if you didnt know, but fitting LGB/Piko to Aristo/USA for the first time can require a little persuasion, as the joiners are slightly different widths, it can be done but I prefer to use rail clamps at those connections, otherwise joining Aristo to Aristo or LGB to LGB, the stock joiners work fine, just use a little conductive grease paste in the joiners when you put them together. Aristo/USA use tiny set screws thru the joiner to hold the track together, these, although they can be maddingly to install (use a little grease to hold the screw to the hex or magnatize the little hex driver, also keep a magnet handy in case you drop the screw into the ballast) they actually work quite well. I have found that the LGB joiners combined with the plastic tie joiner clips also work surprisingly well even outdoors. Best practive , use rail clamps at all your switches, tis way you can unclamp them and pull up the switch for maintanence or replacement without disturbing the surrounding track.

Stainless is best for outdoors track powered layout, and its now only a little bit more $$ than brass track has become, I used brass for my indoor and outdoor layouts but I live in sunny Ca, If your planning on RC/battery power you might save some change and use aluminum track.

[altterrain]

Yes, stainless is the way to go for track power! If you might go battery power you can go with cheaper flex track like aluminum or lesser grade brass track (low copper content) made by AMS and soon Aristo too (keeping up with the Jones's). I recently installed a couple of small loops for a client using the AMS track and found it nice to work with BUTTT the rail foot is too thick to take Split Jaw rail clamps (I used different style Aristo ones instead). I use Aristo stainless on my main layout and a mix of used brass for another smaller battery layout.

-Brian 

[kstrong]

Try Hillman's for the AMS track if the Split-Jaw won't work. I got some for a lift-out bridge project I'm working on, and they clamp down just fine.

Later,

K

[g. gage]

I use track power and mix LGB, Aristo and USA track mainly because I have LGB and like Aristo and USA. I drill and tap (2-56) the LGB track it all works fine. I use brass because it was the only track available when I built my railroad. The small hex head screws can be a challenge but a little grease holds them on the tool. I've noticed the newer screws have a deeper hex head. A dental mirror is also helpful. Aristo has two types of ties US and Euro. I have a deer problem (a deer hoof is about 45 mm) here in the Sierra Nevada and use the Euro which is more robust. I still keep spare sections of track for repairs.

Hope this helps, have fun, Rob 

[Cheese]

Ah,

Tis a shame. Does anyone see any hope of getting any new LGB track over here soon? I am partial to LGB, even though Aristo and USA are just as good. I guess its just a brand name bias, lol.

Cheese

[DennisB]

The new Piko track is as good as the old LGB and is available thru Ridge Road Station. Regards, Dennis.

[EMPIRE II LINE]

I agree with Brian, if you are going to use "track power," Stainless steel is the way to go for all climates and conditions, inluding DEER, it's just stronger than all the other metals......That said....

I do use stainless and track power myself for 2 Main reasons: 1. I run long lighted passenger trains, draws lots of AMPS, and battery power just won't work for what "I" do.....2nd'ly. It allows for others in our club to bring their equipment over and run on my line.

My line is also designed to conveniently handle live steam if desired, as well as track powered Radio Control and battery R/C powered units.

No one is left out. It will even be set up to handle MTH, DCS units too..... 

Costs extra bucks to initially set it up this way, however in the long run..... "I", personally feel, that it saves you in the long run if you choose to expand in other ways/directions in the future on your line.......with many other various units of motive power.....

Byron C.