Moving things along: what track do you use?

stryker Jan 1, 2010

  1. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    Ok I am moving along, slow but moving. I have a DCC on the way, almost decided on a locomotive... but still need to decide on track.

    I like the looks of the Gargraves, but not sure what else is good and has switches available. Anyone have input?

    Thanks
     
  2. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    Looking at the available switches and crossovers I think American Model is going to the the smart bet.
     
  3. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Hi Styrker,

    I used Gargraves many yrs ago. Switches were unrealistic looking to me and the ties looked way to big. It looked like O scale narrow gauge IMHO. I settled on code 100 rail from Shinohara. Shinohara sells #6 and #8 switches. They are pretty good but kind of temperamental if you are not careful with them, ask me how I know. :D Anyway I bought a turnout jig from Fast Tracks for a #5 switch and build my own. The jig was made for Micro Engineering code 100 rail. I'm real happy with the results. I run my SHS SW1 through them and my AM SD60's plus my GP9's, U25B's, F7's and GP35's. I have no steam engines running yet so I won't comment on them.

    I was looking at the AM track and noticed they are using code 148 brass. IIRC that track will work with AF and AF compatible equipment but if you run the scale wheel sets, code 110 then they will bump through the frog.

    If you are using the larger flanged wheels that won't be a problem. Another track system that might be of interest is American "S" Gauge if bigger track is needed.
    AMERICAN CLASSIC TRACK

    SHS track is code 125 and their flex track was modeled after PRR 155# rail. Their track is NS also. The only problem is SHS switches only come with the ballast molded on like their sectional track.

    Since you are planning on DCC will you be running the scale wheels with Kadee couplers or will you go with the larger AF compatible wheels?

    This link will take you to a very nice S layout and it appears they use the AM track.
    Buffalo Creek Gauley

    Greg
     
  4. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Greg!
    They both look good. The Shinohara looks hard to find. I found a few places but they had little or no stock. I am not savvy enough to talk wheel type yet. I figure I will be getting a AM locomotive since S Helper only seems to have switchers I like...but they are DCC already (tough choice) I just want a nice looking track that will run smooth and have many optns on turnouts and crossovers. I have a tricky space and will need to be creative track wise.
    I think you are right the Gargraves ties are too big. So is the brass a big pain to keep clean?
    Seems like there is a bit more available in the AM track??? Just found Tomalco track.
    That looks very nice too. But what code do I use? MAN too much to decide...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 2, 2010
  5. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Styker,

    If you decide on AM then you will have 3 choices. High rail AC, high rail DC and scale DC. Scale means you will get wheels with scale flanges and high rail means you will get big flanges and wide treads on the wheels. Either is fine, but HO runs on small scale flanges just fine so I went with the scale wheels on my equipment. If you've modeled with N scale then S equipment with scale wheels will be a breeze for you. From my experience with HO, brass was a pain and NS was easier to keep clean. Really it depends on the environment your railroad is going to be in. A leaky garage with lots of dust, I'd recommend NS.
    I see you joined the S scale list on yahoo. The gentlemen who owns Tomalco is on the list. He sells flex and various switches that match the flex. Also Tomalco sells code 83 track besides the code 100. Code 83 is good for branch lines, industries and yard tracks. You can combine them for a visual effect showing main line and siding differences. If you use the code 83 you will definitely need the scale wheels.

    Greg
     
  6. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    Track

    Greg,
    Yes Sir. Your layout looks sweet. Since working with N my tremors have progressed big time. Nothing is a breeze now...at least for my hands.
    I am going to give the scale (ish) route a go. I used to be very good at the land "scraping" . I was putting my wife to sleep talking about getting smaller rail for yards.
    If only my income matched my vision...

    Thanks for the great info!
    Stryker
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Too many model railroaders know this lament. :( :(

    Boxcab E50
     
  8. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Have you come to a decision on track yet Stryker? How about an engine? The last engine I bought from AM was their SP U25B with scale wheels and DC. I haven't taken the shell off but I've been told DCCing it is fairly straight forward. As it is, it is a smooth and quiet running engine.

    Greg
     
  9. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Stryker,
    If you want cheap consider hand laying your track. I pick up used HO flex NS track at train shows and use that for my supply of rail for hand laid track. If you buy just the rail it's almost the same price as ready to use flex track. Heck, I was given a box of unused brass flex track a month ago and may even use that, being I'm frugal at heart.

    Greg
     
  10. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    Track

    I think I am going to go with Tomalco.
    I am going to the big show (Amherst Train Show) on the 30th. I will see what I like there and decide.
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Stryker-

    If possible, and there is some interesting S, (or other?), could you take a photo or two?

    Boxcab E50
     
  12. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    I was looking at the vendor list...it does not list scale, but there are a few like S helper going to be there. I plan on taking lots of pictures. It should help with layout plan final stages.
     
  13. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Tomalco is a good choice IMHO. I'm helping a friend with his layout and Tomalco code 100 was his choice. It looks good and the equipment runs fine. Good luck at the train show in your search for S equipment and track.

    Greg
     
  14. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    changing rolling stock

    What about coupling sections for use with Tomalco track?
    Do they make something or how do you go about this?
     
  15. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    I've used HO code 100 rail joiners for my track. IIRC that is what my friend used for his Tomalco track, Atlas or Micro Engineering.

    Greg
     
  16. stryker

    stryker TrainBoard Member

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    Good info...but

    That answered a question I had not even thought to ask!

    But, I was asking about the section of track used to separate or join cars as you make up a train. I figure my giant hand will do it to start, but later I will want to do it hands free.
     
  17. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Ah, ok the uncoupling track. Well if you use Kadee's you can HO uncoupling magnets. They may have to be stacked, rumor has it. I don't use the magnets but use a bambo skewer to twist the knuckles of the couplers to uncouple. I do that for HO and O scale also. You insert the sharp point into the coupled cars and give a gentle twist and the couplers open and seperate. Also the HO magnet on a handle that is h shaped will work on S like the HO. My only problem with that has been some of the cars are too close together to easily stradle the couplers to allow the magnets to seperate them. Also if there is any steel on the cars they are attracted to it and sometimes cause issues. I don't think there is a fool proof way to uncouple 100% of the cars 100% with Kadee's in any scale. :D

    Hope that helped this time. :)
    Greg
     
  18. roadranger

    roadranger TrainBoard Member

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    If you are modeling S SCALE and not Highrail, I agree, working on 3rd layout with Tomalco track. I like it a lot better than Shinohara.
    Tomalco also offers almost ready to run turnout kits , including curved turnouts in 3 sizes (radiuses).
     
  19. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    Brand of choice is Shinohara, since I have two dozen sticks of it from a project some yrs ago. I also hand lay track with Micro Engineering code 100 rail. I bought a Fasttracks turnout jig, #5 and use the same rail in that.

    Greg
     

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