Crappy Real trax

My idea is to stop using it (if possible) .........bundle it together for use as a boat anchor.  Before I rant on too much, myself and several Forumites have vented plenty about RealTrax.   In other words......your experience pretty much matches ours.  In case you don't know the original version (lets' call it Version 1)  is/was pretty good. I have plenty of it and really wouldn't mind selling it (even at a loss....it's in vg shape, but will sell as is). 

       I also have some version 2 and version 3.  What i see that happened on the later versions is either the copper tabs at the ends are thinner (without a doubt ) and/or the thin copper tabs and metal "ribs" are a crappy alloy.

   The switches are pretty much in line with these "horror stories" . Nope your experience is par for the unfun!

P.S...........about a year ago, I bought a NOS crossover....packaging was crisp and looked exactly like another......shortly after installation my engines dies at that crossover (TMCC Electronics - YIKES). Upon chasing down the offending problem.........the 45 degree crossover.....I found it was roughly/badly soldered....unlike the other crossovers I had!

I don't know anything about realtrax, but I am surprised to hear disparagement of fastrack.  I have only used it for Christmas layouts some years and was under the impression it is quite rock solid.  Interesting.  I'd ask to learn more of possible problems, but that will certainly head downhill too fast.  Feel free to email me at my screen name at yahoo dot com for what to look out for with future use.  

Thanks, I afraid of that.

The fast trak problems are about long term durability as the metal will decal and rust quite quickly, but it does work  much better than this Real Track garbage.

Funny this thread should come up. I use RealTrax and find that sometimes the pieces are hard to connect. I have had some issues with dead spots, soldiering the underside seems to take care of the problem. I do very much like the look of RealTrax.

I'm considering switching to Gargraves track. Any thoughts? Does it have dead spots? Pros/ cons? Is the flex track really flexible and to what degree? Thanks for any help/suggestions from the group would be most appreciated. 

On the other hand.... I have some real trax and have had no problems with it. Fastrack I have tons of problems with. Bulk of my track is Atlas 21st Century and it is quite nice if you can get it. Same with scaletrax except it has very few choices for switches curves etc.

I used all Realtrax.... about 90% of it was bought used.  I have 13 Realtrax switches, all but 2 were also bought used.

Out of all of this, I think I had 2, maybe 3 "dead" sections of track.  One of the switches had a separated/torn connection strip inside, but was fixed by soldering a new piece of wire in it's place.

I'm not sure what the gripe is about Realtrax, but I have no issues with it.  Now, if I could do it over (and I actually may, I'd use the common GG w/Ross Switches combo.  The reasoning for this wouldn't be functionality though, it'd be more for looks and because I'd like to be able to run some PW magnetraction locos, especially on the inclined section.  

The two loops shown below are broken into four blocks and all of the power drops are soldered to the underneath of one piece of track in each block.  

Two years later and no dead spots.  

GSauder posted:

The fast trak problems are about long term durability as the metal will decal and rust quite quickly, but it does work  much better than this Real Track garbage.

Fastrack has been on my layout continuously since 2007.  The last batch I purchased in 2009.

20x40 foot layout. 10 switches.   Zero issues. Zero Rust. Zero Electrical conductivity problems.   I run Legacy/TMCC and DCS.

I used to run RealTrax.  I changed simply for a subjective reason; I like the looks of FT better.

The only issue I had with the RealTrax was the small copper connectors did not like multiple put together and taking apart.   I'd take a needel nose and fix it.  Like Mike above, once I figured out how to be careful, I never had any dead sections.

I've been using Fastrack since the 2004 Polar Express came out and I have added to it over the years. Like David, I've had zero problems.

I think that both Fastrack and Realtrax do not lend themselves to continual assembly / disassembly.

I am using FT on my layout since 2005 and have had zero problems.  I have 10 FT command switches that also run good.  I use Realtrax around the tree and although it has some issues putting it together, but no other problems. 

Send us all your Crappy Realtrax !

We have been using it for years.

Aliquippa & Southern posted:

Funny this thread should come up. I use RealTrax and find that sometimes the pieces are hard to connect. I have had some issues with dead spots, soldiering the underside seems to take care of the problem. I do very much like the look of RealTrax.

I'm considering switching to Gargraves track. Any thoughts? Does it have dead spots? Pros/ cons? Is the flex track really flexible and to what degree? Thanks for any help/suggestions from the group would be most appreciated. 

IMHO Gargraves is a better choice.  I have both Gargraves and RealTrax on my layout.  The RealTrax is used on my elevated trolley line and I've had many dead spot issues with it.  RT is challenging for me to put together, although I've seen guys put it together with great ease.   Never a problem with my Gargraves track ... been using it for 14 plus years. 

trumptrain posted:

Aliquippa & Southern posted:

Funny this thread should come up. I use RealTrax and find that sometimes the pieces are hard to connect. I have had some issues with dead spots, soldiering the underside seems to take care of the problem. I do very much like the look of RealTrax.

I'm considering switching to Gargraves track. Any thoughts? Does it have dead spots? Pros/ cons? Is the flex track really flexible and to what degree? Thanks for any help/suggestions from the group would be most appreciated. 

IMHO Gargraves is a better choice.  I have both Gargraves and RealTrax on my layout.  The RealTrax is used on my elevated trolley line and I've had many dead spot issues with it.  RT is challenging for me to put together, although I've seen guys put it together with great ease.   Never a problem with my Gargraves track ... been using it for 14 plus years. 

Thank you for your input. Too often I make changes without talking to others as to their opinion and experience with a particular product.

I've been running Realtrax on my basement layout for 5 years now without any problems.

I had to replace the Fastrack (with Realtrax) on one of my portable layouts, after just two years of use... It didn't hold up, see below:

The Realtrax on that portable layout has been working flawlessly after 7 years an still going strong.

I'll take it..nit..never used it.  But will take it for future.

I’ve used/experimented with most of the major track systems. To date I haven’t found one that is THE system to use. You have to pick one that has the least issues or fits your needs.

Steve

Tried using Realtrax for my Grandson's seasonal carpet layout. It didn't work well in that application. Persistent dead spots. Gave it away. Now using Ross track with no problems.