Opinions on track brand

[toothmark]

I ended up with some Aristocraft 5' track, it seems to match up to my existing LGB track. The Aristocraft seems to have the advantage that it has a screw system to tie the sections together.

Which track do people like and why?

Thanks 

 

[Anonymous]

Tooth.

This matter has been on the forum more times than i have had birthdays which is 70. My views on the subject are well known but i will tell you what i think anyway.

LGB track and Aristo track do go ok togethjer, i prefer Aristo for my situation as it seems to oxidise less, because it has a higher zinc content. I doi not like Aristo joiners, as after a while i have found that they fill up with dirt and become high resistance. I like LGB joiners soldered. If you are not prepared to solder, go to Hillman clamps. There you are thats what i think!

Rgds Ian

[ttrigg]

Tooth:
On the flip side, I like the more oxidization of the LGB brass.  I prefer the Aristo re-railers, so I rip out the rails and replace with LGB Flex.  I like to solder pairs of 5 foot rails into 10 foot lengths using the LGB joiners as does Ian.  Since I solder with flame (oxy-accet) and do not wish to melt all of my ties into massive puddle, I join these ten foot sections with Split Jaw Clamp.  My local dealer carries only the one brand, so that choice is simply a matter of availability.

I would suggest getting samples of each of the track brands available, put them out to weather.  Select the one brand that weathers to your taste and desire in your area.  Then buy that brand in the 5 foot (1.5 meter) or 10 foot (3.0 meter) lengths.  Remember, the fewer joints you have means the less the chance of derailment by unaligned joints.  Read back though some of the older posts and you will find some heated discussions over track.

[toothmark]

Thanks for the information. I noticed your in San Diego....I am up in Escondido, what dealer are you referring? Also, I don't understand your comment on the Aristocraft re-railer being prefered.

Thanks 

[Anonymous]

It's pretty straight forward, mate; he pregers the Aristo rerailer, why i don't know? but he does.

To be truthful i didn't understand it either. 

Rgds Ian

[ttrigg]

Thanks for the information. I noticed your in San Diego....I am up in Escondido, what dealer are you referring? Also, I don't understand your comment on the Aristocraft re-railer being prefered. Thanks 

Tooth;

The two dealers I prefer are "Value Craft" there in Escondido, and "Walter Anderson Nursery" in Poway.  

As for the re-railer: I like the looks of that particular piece.  The plastic forms a very nice "Level Grade Crossing", also seems to work a little better at keeping the wheels on the track.  Like I've said many times before; "What I like and prefer, could easily be the worst of all possible choices for you!"

[ttrigg]

  It's pretty straight forward, mate; he prefers the Aristo re-railer, why I don't know? but he does.
To be truthful I didn't understand it either.
Rgds Ian

I don't understand it either.  I just like it, and to be completely truthful, that is all that counts.  I'll enjoy what I like and you are free to enjoy (or dislike) whatever you heart desires!

[kimbrit]

I use a mix of both, mainly Aristo though. I have an Aristo drill & tap set and I drill the LGB track so I can bolt them together and to the Aristo. Works well for me and after a few years on the ground in everything the UK weather throws at us on the coast it still conducts the volts and amps just fine.

Cheers,

Kim

[Anonymous]

Tom;

I have never used a rerailer are they worth having?

Never bothered so far but we can always learn something new. Some of my articulated locos are pretty hard to get right somethimes with 12 wheels spread over two articulate bogies.

Rgds Ian

[Anonymous]

I use Aristo track with electric LGB trun outs (switches). JMHO 

[ttrigg]

  Tom;
I have never used a rerailer are they worth having?

Ian:
To tell the truth, probably not!  
When I did the N scale I was constantly having problems with track alignment, especially in the area of isolated track.  You know those nasty little plastic pieces that never hold the track straight.  I was so accustomed to having re-railers as a required piece of equipment that I just naturally picked up a few when I made my first bulk track purchase and have been using them as level grade crossings ever since.  Using the Split Jaw isolation clamps hold the track in perfect alignment (as I'm sure the Hillmans do as well), so in reality, with soldered joints and clamps, there probably is absolutely no reason for having re-railers.  But I like the way it looks when used as a level grade crossing.

[dwbeckett]

The Old DNRR used a mix of Aristo and LGB I never had any problems with the track just turnouts. I used the re-railers to eliminate problem areas mostly at the turnouts that formed an 'S". When I repalced my track with STAINLESS I keep the 2 reailers I had. I have not found a use for them YET ( now using #6 and 10' diam turnouts). JUST A NOTE the ARISTO 10ft dia. turnouts with a 11.5 curve section will give you a nice long lead and about 6.75 inchs of track spacing at the ends.   

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[Anonymous]

Oh i see, is it a device that is installed in your layout; not a device that you carry around to get your locos on easily?

Rgds Ian

[ttrigg]

Ian;



They are used to help "reset" the wheels on to the track after a rough spot going into a turnout to prevent derailments.  But if a person is using Split Jaw or Hillmans clamps and/or soldering nice straight joints, there should be no need for them.

[Mike Dorsch CJ&M r.r.]

Ian , here is a thing from Split Jaw that is real nice for putting your rolling stock on the track .

[ttrigg]

Mike:
LGB has the same thing but in orange, easier for an old blind bat like me to see.

[Mike Dorsch CJ&M r.r.]

I guess someday i'll have to invest in some orange paint .

[dwbeckett]

Mr. Brown may I sugguest cropping your signature picture. all I see is a wall untill i copy it or is that the wall you been beating your head with 

[Anonymous]

To address an Australian as Mr, is verging on an insult and as such i am quite within my rights to report you for abuse! Basically it means that i am not comfortable with you and i want to distance myself from you. In the light of your other remark, can you see any reason why i should not report you? remember this is an international forum and the sensitivities of all people should be observed.

Ian

 On to rerailers i might get one, my larger articulated locos can be hard to launch.

Rgds Ian 

[Anonymous]

I know some other words he could have used instead

[FJ and G]

In the world of cameras, the cliche has often been said that great pictures don't depend so much on the camera you use as much as they do the photographer behind the camera. The same analogy could be a applied to track brands, train brands and so on and so forth.

[Anonymous]

Thats very deep mate!

Rgds Ian

[ttrigg]

Most profound Sir David!

[Anonymous]

Tom are you refferring to Sir David Attenborough?

Rgds ian