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[Anonymous]

I recently revived my childhood interest in model railroading. As a kid, I was not exposed to RR enough to learn much about track, etc. I plan to build in the HO scale.
My question is this: Is HO track manufactured by one company (ie Tyco) compatible with HO track made by another company (ie Bachman)? Is there an industry standard, or would I just be taking chances trying to mix track?

Thanks in advance.

[photogeek88]

Most track, unless it has the built in plastic roadbed, is all compatible. I must suggest though, since you brought up the Tyco track, that you NOT use that. I'm guessing it's stuff from when you had your trains as a kid, since it isn't made by Tyco anymore. Not only is that stuff cheap track to begin with, but with years of sitting in a box, it has not gotten any better. I reccomend Atlas track. Most hobby stores carry it.

[trainboyH16-44]

All the types of track are compatible.....under these circumstances. If they have built in roadbed, they will not be. You must also be careful not to mix sizes. Now there are codes 100, 83, 70 and 55 (think there is 55) and these are the sizes of the rail in thousands of an inch. If you mix them, you have to be very careful that the tops of the rails are level.
Matthew