I have decided to come on over to the wide world of HO trains. What is a high quality track with the advantages of Lionel's O FastTrack but in HO?
Original Post
"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.
Post your non-O scale stuff here!
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Have you looked into FasTrack?
https://www.trainworld.com/mod...nel-ho-fastrack.html
@ADCX Rob posted:Have you looked into FasTrack?
https://www.trainworld.com/mod...nel-ho-fastrack.html
No, did not know Lionel was making HO version.
Bachmann makes a similar product called EZ track.
How about Kato Unitrack?
Gene
I have Bachmann EZ track. It's basic, but a nice selection of components to build a decent layout. I got mine at auction for a steal, but it is the older black tie, black ballasted version. The newer version looks very similar to FastTrack. Kato's Unitrack system has been around for a while as well. I don't know much about Lionel's HO FastTrack. Is it solid rail or like its O counterpart?
In my opinion Kato HO Unitrack is the best snap track. Check out katousa.com. They have track with either simulated wood or concrete ties and super elevated curves. There are a variety of curve sizes and even a rerailing track section and an adjustable length section. I have used both N and HO scale for years for temporary layouts without any problems. The rail joiners are detachable from the track and can be replaced without replacing the track. They can be swapped out for insulating or power feeder joiners. All the electrical connectors use molex type connectors. They have extension wires with the same connectors. It is a very well thought out system that was engineered for floor and temporary layouts in mind. It isn’t cheap, but quality never is.
Thank you all for the ideas. Gives me ideas to look for, products to consider.
I read that Lionel's is nickle silver. All I remember was the old brass rails. Any advantage to what the metal in the rails is?
Jonathan, any chance you have a pic of the old bachmann track. Wonder if newer Bachmann offeres grey ballast? Train shows coming up I will be looking at the HO. 30 years of not looking much at HO. Then I buy a Rapido Turboliner and I have to run this beauty. Not leaving O, but HO offeres items we pull teeth to get in O.
@VistaDomeScott posted:Thank you all for the ideas. Gives me ideas to look for, products to consider.
I read that Lionel's is nickle silver. All I remember was the old brass rails. Any advantage to what the metal in the rails is?
Jonathan, any chance you have a pic of the old bachmann track. Wonder if newer Bachmann offeres grey ballast? Train shows coming up I will be looking at the HO. 30 years of not looking much at HO. Then I buy a Rapido Turboliner and I have to run this beauty. Not leaving O, but HO offeres items we pull teeth to get in O.
I'll take some pictures by the weekend. It's all sitting in a few plastic crates currently. The new EZ track has gray ballast.
Nickel silver is preferable over brass rails. My original layout from the 80's was all Atlas and Shinohara nickel silver and was superior in every way to brass from an operation standpoint. Brass requires frequent cleaning while nickel silver is more forgiving. It still needs cleaning, but it's easier to do. It also conducts electricity really well. My 16'x24' HO layout in the attic of my childhood home had a single drop to each of the 4 loops without power loss.
I have to agree with JFC454 that Kato's system is superior. Their system predates Lionel FastTrack and is thoroughly thought through. However, if you are just looking to run the train you could also just get Atlas code 100 flex track for a fraction of the cost of the integral ballasted systems. My N scale layouts over the years were done this way. Very cost effective.
As an aside, code 100 rail was the old standard in HO track. Now most HO track is code 83 which is closer to scale for heavyweight rail.
One of my sons uses the silver Bachmann EZ-Track. Seems to work pretty well if you get the rail joiners lined up correctly.
But if I were to buy track it would be the Kato track. Line up better. Better continuity. Less derailments.
John
Generally speaking, Bachmann track with black ballast has steel rails and Bachmann track with gray ballast has nickel silver rails.
TRIX also has a modular track system labeled C-track. They have a few more track options than the others mentioned. I use it and I’m happy with it. I have used Kato and Bachmann, they are fine products but Trix has more track section options. I have not used Lionel or MTH. As so many things in life do, it boils down to how much you want to spend.
Steve
@ecd15 posted:Generally speaking, Bachmann track with black ballast has steel rails and Bachmann track with gray ballast has nickel silver rails.
The thing I like about the gray ballast is that you can remove the rails. This is handy IF you have to make a custom length track section. I’ve done it, it’s not too difficult. There are a few vids on YT on how to do this surgery . FWIW: the black ballast track seems to be a little more difficult to modify. Mostly due to the difficulty of removing the rails.
Steve
