If Bachman gets lower marks that other brands, what is considered the best track with roadbed attached to buy as a set for first layout?
In other words which track sets give the least problems,and will work with an MRC DC controller?
OK, I'm gonna give you an opinion, not a set in stone fact.
I haven't heard a whole lot of bad comments about any of the track sold today, but one manufacturer who always seems to get good reviews is Kato. It is a bit higher in price, but not that much considering the good reviews of it.
Hope this helps with your question.
If Bachmann gets lower marks
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
When some, "Track with roadbed attached," manufacturer comes up with:
Then I will discuss which one is best. Until then, the appropriate answer is, "None of the above."
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with flex track and hand-laid specialwork)
tomikawaTT wrote: When some, "Track with roadbed attached," manufacturer comes up with:Proper spiral easements.An easy way to form vertical easements for grades.Track that allows me (not them) to choose the curve radii I wish to use.Track that allows me to arrange specialwork My way, not THEIR way.Then I will discuss which one is best. Until then, the appropriate answer is, "None of the above."Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with flex track and hand-laid specialwork)
AMEN!!!!!
Bob
Welcome to the forum!
Quite a few people on here have a negative response to anything considered 'beginner'. There are some people that have used Bachmann track and had good luck with it. I believe you want to stay away from the bachmann track with black roadbed and steel track. They make a version with gray roadbed and Nickle silver track, which is the one you would want. If you can, find a member name Jeffrey_Wimberly. He has used the Bachmann and may have some tips for you. From conversations on this forum, I have heard that Kato makes a good sectional track as well. I haven't heard anyone say that they use it though. Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask more questions.
Hello!
As someone who is a recent returnee to the hobby perhaps I can give you some information based on my recent experience. A little over a year ago I set up a small HO layout using Atlas TruTrack. I decided to use such sectional track as I wanted to get running quickly and I wanted to see if I really wanted to get back into this hobby again. At my age I don't have 20 years to set up a great layout and also I just don't have much time to spend on it at least until I retire.
I found the TruTrack to be OK but had problems with the turnouts both in performance and electrical. Also it is nearly impossible to elimenate the gaps between the track sections. Not to mention that the roadbed isn't very realistic. I was using DC block control. A few months ago I decided to re-do the layout and also change to Kato Unitrack. I am glad I did as operation is far smoother, the turnouts are far superior and it looks better too. So in my opinion Kato track is great and worth the extra cost.
I can't comment on EZ track as I decided not to use it since it is code 100 not 83.
Hope that helps and good luck.
With due deference to Chuck, who oughta know, and with whom I agree about the vertical easements, I used EZ-Track quite successfully for my first layout, and I managed to get reasonable approximations of easements. I cut the roadbed so that I could impart a bit of a bend...yeah, it's cheating....sue me.
Seriously, I didn't do that except in one small section and with one length of tangent track, but the rest was just as gradual as I could make it with flat sections. It worked okay.
EZ-Track is fine. It goes together well, and it is in gauge throughout. What I found restricting were the fixed curvature sections, although they introduced a wider range months after I bought my "huge" 22" radius sections. But the biggest issue came with the turnouts. Their "large" turnouts are fine for all steamers. It is the points and their pivots lthat eave something to be desired. They take some work with a file and a track gauge, including tapping on the rivet/pivots to keep the point rails from flopping over sideways. Aside from that, if I were forced to return to only EZ-Track, I wouldn't be hugely disappointed.
My
hurricane33 wrote: If Bachman gets lower marks that other brands, what is considered the best track with roadbed attached to buy as a set for first layout? In other words which track sets give the least problems,and will work with an MRC DC ontroller?
In other words which track sets give the least problems,and will work with an MRC DC ontroller?
I do not use 'Track with Roadbed', so cannot claim any expertese. It is amazing HOW people having experience with only ONE PRODUCT (theirs) can make comparisons with products that they have no knowlege of.
That being said, a weakness of all sectional track is the depedenecy on RAIL joiners to carry the current to the next rail. They are tight only the first time. (They size with age and loosen with plugging and unplugging). Traihs slowing down or stopping entirely generally result.
1.KATO is the only one passing current using separate electrical contacts. (a reliability +). 2.KATO's turnouts have switch machines built in. They not only look better, but one does not need to buy separate switch machines or assemble linkages.
MOST newbies get into trouble when they mix brands. One manufacurer's tolerances do not necessarily match anothers. KATO makes a comlete set of complimentary products that WORK.
Kato UNITRAK products are DC, but can be used for DCC since they have insulated frogs (not an exclusive) .
BEST of all, KATO products get RAVE reviews on this forum from those that have them.
WHY don't I use (any sectional track)? 1. I'm on my 5th layout and I have too much track left over. 2. I also don't trust Rail joiners to carry power. 3. I have 27" radius curves which sectional track makers don't offer, 4. I'm used to cutting cork.
NEGATIVES: Co$ts more. (Precision often does).
I may not have the layout to show for it at the moment, nor the years of experience that some on this board may have, but I have tried almost everything out there. The best track product in my experience has been Kato Unitrack. It has the roadbed attached, it's a much more secure connection than any other brand, which means increased reliability. The ONLY downside I could ever see would be the cost as it is slightly more expensive than other companies, but worth it in my experience..
In N scale, I would not hesitate to use (and in fact will be using on my next N scale layout) Unitrack for any size layout. There's excellent variety of special trackwork and curve radii.
In HO, the main problem in my mind stems from the fact that the biggest radius curve they produce is 31". Which makes it not ideal for some situations (again this is me personally, I'm constructing a medium size 20' x 24' L shaped layout that uses 36" minimum radius for curves.)
No matter which way you go, have fun in the hobby!
-Matt
OK ,my last post didn't go for some reason so here goes again.
I've been out of model railroading for some time(I'am 60 now) and by the time I'am ready to retire in five years ,hope to have everything that I need as I have to get one thing at a time.
The reason I want sectional track is I won't have the time or space for anything other than a pike a little over 4x8 ,and I want a railroad as simple and trouble free as possible(I have enough stress ,and don't need any more).
I have no desire to run more than one train at a time ,so I'am going with DC.
From what I've read from you guys(and I'am not holding anyone responable for any problems I might have) I think the way to go is with KATO track ,but I'd like to use an MRC power pack and have no idea how to adapt the power pack to the KATO track ,and also have no idea how to hook up the switches.
I would also like a bridge and trestle set,but don't know if they can be adapted to the KATO track.
So for now thats what I would like,and I want to thank all of you for your very helpful suggesstions,and taking time to help an old timer out(funny I don't feel like an old timer)
So thanks guys again ,I'am sure I'll have a bunch more questions in future posts.
Meanwhile I wish you all a happy Christmas and New year,your a great bunch of guys.