How good are the mth scaletrax switches, are they trouble free?

In testing my ScaleTrax turnouts, they worked fine with both hi-rail and scale wheels (the scale wheels dip in the frogs like with Atlas and Ross turnouts.) I have #4 and #6 turnouts and don't plan on using curve-replacement turnouts like O-72.

 

I've read reports that on some of them you may need to check the frogs to make sure they haven't shifted. I'm sure Dave or Ted Hikel or Rich Battista will chime in.

 

Rich Battista's Black Diamond video shows them in operation and they seem to work well.

 

As track goes, it's has the best rail profile, but the tie spacing is closer to concrete-tie commuter track than wood-tie heavy freight track, but that doesn't seem to make much difference once the track is ballasted.

 

Hope this helps.

hello Matt and Ted..........

 

thank you for your inputs, is it possible to have a picture of the problem areas of the 0-72 switch frogs and about the air gaps as that would be a big help in my understanding in how to fix that.

 

the woman who loves the S.F.5011

Tiffany

We have a large layout with lots of track.

I tested each track system extensively, including switches.

We chose Atlas O and I could not be more pleased.

 

Eliot

Tiffany

 

Take a look at the photos posted by Pennsy484 on this thread.

 

https://ogrforum.com/d...5514336824187/page/2

Hello Ted Hikel.....

 

very interesting thread and now i understand about the gap problem on the scaletrax switches as the photos helps a great deal.  I will use this track as i think its a best looking 3 rail track period.  Thank you for the tread.

 

the woman who loves the S.F.5011

Tiffany

Hello,

 

Great thread regarding track.

 

Question:  Regarding Scaletrax; are the 2 outer rails electrically connected?

 

Ted:  I love your Northwest scenery.  Do you have a website showing additional photos of your layout?

 

Steve

The outside rails are isolated from each other on the sectional track, flex and turnouts. The frog on turnouts is also isolated from everything (assuming the air gap is still there.)

Thanks Matt,

 

On my test track at home I'm presently using Atlas 3 rail track.  The test track has no switches/turnouts.  Now I know this might sound crazy but I am running both 2 rail and 3 rail motive power on the test track.  The outside rails on Atlas 3 rail track are not connected electrically which allows me , by just throwing a switch, to change from running 2 rail motive power to 3 rail motive power ( not at the same time, mind you!).  Now that I know that Scaletrax has these same properties I might give it a try.

 

Steve

 

Steve

Matt, does Fastrack have that same capability? I know Realtrax does, not sure about the switches tho, I'll have to check .

 

Jerry

Steve:

 

I do that using Atlas at the club when I'm working on my MTH Scale-wheeled locomotives. Atlas turnouts, however, are wired through for continuity, so you have to disconnect the wires underneath (which are too thin anyway on the older turnouts.) On the MTH ScaleTrax turnouts (at least the ones I have) nothing is wired through which I like since it gives you more flexibility. Ross turnouts are also insulated, but the Ross-Ready turnouts have jumpers which have to be removed.

 

I'm designing my layout to be hybrid so I will be able run pure 2-rail locomotives on it. That's one of the reasons I decided to go with Scaletrax as the rail profile is more compatible with the look of scale wheels.

 

Jerry:

 

Fastrack sectional track has the outside rails connected together with buss plates underneath the track. If you fold up the tabs, you can remove them, but you have to do it with every section to fully insulate a loop/layout. Don't know about the turnouts, but it's probably a pretty safe bet they're using the same technique to tie the stock rails together. The rails past the frog are insulated on the remote switches to allow the non-derail feature to operate but I have no clue how that would be integrated into a 2-rail/3-rail hybrid situation.

Tiffany;

I too love ScaleTrax and I have found a way to mate Ross Switches with it.

The rails are actually very close to the same with Ross rails being slightly taller and the same shape.

If you put Woodland Scenic's foam roadbed (5mm thick) under the Scaletrax and 2mm cork (Amazon in 12" X 24" sheets) under the Ross switch, they match up perfectly.

This works around the limitation of the switches available in Scaletrax.

I needed Wye's and went to Ross for them. I love Ross' switches too.

 

Jerry;

Fastrack can be made isolated but does not come that way if I recall Correctly.

@Ted Hikel: What rail bender do you use?

 

 

 

Where do you get the scale trax fro hand laying? I'm guessing you harvest it from flex track sections.

 

What code is scale trax?

Olstykke

 

I use the Llagas rail bender.

 

http://www.llagastrack.com/

 

Your guess is correct, the ScaleTrax rail I have used for hand laying comes from flex track.  Each ScaleTrax flex track section comes with 30 inches of ties in three 10 inch sections.  The flex track rails are about 33 inches long so if you lay a lot of flex track you will have some extra rail.

 

ScaleTrax rail is 0.193 inches tall.  Take a look at the photo below to get a visual comparison with other common rail sizes.  It shows ScaleTrax with code 193 rail on the left transitioning to code 148 rail on the O/On30 dual gauge siding to the right.  At the bottom right of the photo the rail transitions to code 100 On30 flex track.

 

 

 

Here is an eye level view of the code 193 and 148.

 

 

 

 

Matt

 

I use the Llagas bender with rollers for code 215/250 rail.  It works great with ScaleTrax code 193 rail.  I usually just hand bend the center rails, they are easy to work.  On flex track the center rail joints are not as critical as the running rails.  On switches the center rails usually have shapes that require hand bending.

Ted thank you for sharing.

 

I've been on the fence about what track system to go with. Been researching switch building to possibly start making my own track and switches.

 

Have you tried the handlaidtrack bender?

 

Also have you tried using MicroEngineering code 205 rail?

 

Thanks so much for sharing!!

 

 

 

No, I haven't used their rail bender or code 205 rail.

 

The Atlas, Gargraves/Ross and MTH ScaleTrax systems are all viable options for 3RS layouts thanks to the availability of numbered switches with each system.  The lack of curved switches that are O-72+ and the stiff flex track are drawbacks to Atlas.  The less scale look of Gargraves/Ross is the one weakness of that otherwise excellent option.  ScaleTrax has the most scale look and flexible flex track but the only curved switch option today is to hand lay. 

 

I don't see my self ever hand laying an entire layout.  But I do think incorporating some special hand laid track into a layout composed mostly of flex track and factory switches is a reasonable option for many of us.  Hand laying is not as hard as most of us probably thought before we tried it the first time.  But it dose take some special tools, precision work and time that could be spend on other aspects of layout building.

 

What I would really like to see some day is a ScaleTrax/Ross Scale option!

 

Thanks for your interest.

Thanks.

Hi

 

I have to say that I found Scaletrax to be a very good rail however not the switches, I am using MTH 0-72 turnouts and one in three (33%) had a manufacturing and quality control problem, they all shorted, I had to take them apart and rebuild them, not easy as they are plastic with the cross wiring moulded in, also I don't like the crossovers . If were starting again I would use Ross

I used scaletrax and found the track to be ok but the switches are horrible. I decided to rebuild with Ross track and switches. 

 

Scaletrax is nice but not well designed IMO. 

 

 

No argument here with respect to the turnout motors and the switches to trigger them. I hate solenoid switch machines (Lionel post-war being the exception) because at some point someone will lean on the switch and burn out the solenoid.

 

There is an alternative configuration which should be used for solenoid machines -- capacitive discharge triggering. This sends a pulse to the solenoid, but the capacitors don't charge up until the switch is released. It involves some work because you have to pretty much have all of your turnouts controlled on a central panel.

 

I took the MTH machines off as I have no plans to use them. Took one look at the actuator switches and knew those weren't going to work. I'm planning to use Tortoise motors and good momentary toggles.

 

But you're definitely right. When you pay $60 for a turnout, it should have some better quality components supporting it. I feel the same way about the Atlas turnouts. I hate their actuation, too, for the same reason. Atlas' new separate-sale turnout control is pretty nice, though, compared to the ones that come with the turnouts.

I feel as if this whole debate about the quality of MTH Scaletrax switches is moot, because the product is just not available.  Seems like many of the switches have been out of stock for a year.

I'd like to believe that MTH is having their switches re-designed for more reliable operation, and specifically to eliminate their infamous shorting issues.  However I'm not aware of any feedback from MTH on this situation.  I've been waiting a long time to see how this would play out, because I much prefer the *look* of MTH Scaletrax to Atlas.  However I might just have to bite the bullet and go with Atlas because their track products are widely available and generally perform better, especially when using the #6924 non-derail circuit boards.  Not to mention the generally-much-more-favorable view of Atlas as a company versus MTH.

If anyone can shed any positive light on the prospects of Scaletrax availability and quality control, especially turnouts, I'd love to hear it.

Hi Randy,

 

I have ScaleTrax switches still in stock if you're looking to build right away.  My crew and I go through the switches and make several modifications to improve operation and reliability.

 

About a year ago I was contacted by MTH requesting my assistance identifying what design and QC issues needed to be addressed in future production runs of the switches.  I put together a fairly comprehensive list of the issues my crew and I have seen, described our in-the-field corrections, and suggested design or manufacturing changes to help correct the problem.  I don't know what changes MTH is planning to make on the next production run, but I know they are aware of the issues and expressed interest in correcting them.  Some of the changes I suggested were more serious than others and included design modifications that would require changes to the injection mold.  The fact that the new production run of ScaleTrax switches is taking so long may be a hopeful sign that they are making some of these more extensive modifications.

 

I wish I could be more definitive about what changes will or will not be made, but I'm not part of that decision making process.

Thanks very much for the response, Dave, and offer of some switches.  So frustrating not to hear anything from MTH, but I appreciate your optimism about eventually shipping a better product!  I just wish I knew when...and if you don't know, I can't imagine who would ;-)

 

Randy

Get Ross or brand new Gargraves....it could take years to establish a reliable design.  

John

 

Inspecting a ScaleTrax switch takes a minute or two.  If a problem is found it only takes a few minutes more to correct it.

 

Ross and gargraves have been around for decades and neither has a product line with scale ties.  I would love to see Ross Scale I don't think we will see a product like that any time soon. 

 

Ack!  This whole discussion is *really* moot because *both* MTH Scaletrax and Atlas O are largely out of stock everywhere.  There don't appear to be any Scaletrax #4 RH switches or #6 LH switches anywhere, although you can pick up a few of the others.  Atlas is much the same -- some switches (especially the #5's LH and RH, which are key to my layout) are totally out of stock everywhere I have looked.  Ted Hikel kindly offered to sell me a few Scaletrax switches, but I'm going to need a lot!

 

I called Atlas and they said it would be at least 5 or 6 months (today being March 28, 2014) before they had new switches ready, because due to undisclosed problems in China, they have to make "all new molds."  To my mind "at least 5 or 6 months" means he's probably being optimistic.  So I said fine, I'll just go with ScaleTrax and try to scrape a few together.

 

Well you can't find half of those switches either.  I called MTH and they found *one* dealer who still had one switch in stock.  Not enough for my big layout.  I asked when they expected to replenish inventory and she said there was "nothing on the water" and it would probably be sometime in May, but she really didn't know.

 

I also asked MTH if there were any plans to release new components or anything along those lines, and she said no it would be at least a year.  Maybe she didn't know, or wasn't saying, but it seems like our hopes of MTH releasing a re-designed turnout are not going to be filled anytime soon.

 

It's so discouraging.  I know you guys are going to say "go with Gargraves and Ross" but I just don't like the look of those products.  I don't really like the look of Atlas either, but they have so many components that MTH lacks.  In any event...I don't know what to do other than sit on my hands.  Hopefully within a couple of months MTH will start delivering new switches and that will cinch the decision and eliminate the problem.

 

Anyway I thought you guys might like to know what Atlas and MTH had to say about all this.

 

Randy

 

If anyone can shed any positive light on the prospects of Scaletrax availability and quality control, especially turnouts, I'd love to hear it.

Ahhh... Do you have the internet?  These switches are all over the place.

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/

http://www.tandkhobby.com/

http://www.advantagehobby.com/

http://www.hobbyshopamerica.com/

 

And probably a dozen or more using this really cool search engine called Google.

 

Can't speak to future QC.  I have scaletrax and am heavily invested so I can't back out now.  Wish I went with Atlas.  I melted one of those controllers just as described earlier.  I no longer use those.  I also have had the air spacing issue.  I have 2 steam engines that derail on every O-72 entering opposite the turn out.  The pickup roller gets stuck between the center rail and the frog.  I had to insert a piece of foam to fix the issue.

 

The pieces of tracks to not always fit nicely.  Can't tell you how many ties I have broken trying to snap this stuff together.  Some goes easy, some needs a click with the needle nose pliers... and some are just darn stubborn.

 

My driving reason for choosing scaletrax a few years ago was the price of the switches compared to everyone else.  Well that has changed now.  The price of scaletrax is no longer heavily discounted the way it used to be.

 

Lastly the type of switch choices with scaletrax is lacking compared to others.  3 years ago I thought I could live with that.  Now I'm saying, I wish I could...

 

And while some say they can mate other brand switches to scaletrax... do you really want to?  If you are going to go with chunky wood ties for the switch, you might as well do it for all of the track and at least make it look uniform.  I can't imagine going from scaletrax to Ross and back to scaletrax.  Anyone have a picture of that?  Can't look pretty.

 

Sorry for the rant.

Ron

 

I appreciate the sarcasm, Ron.  I had some crazy idea that this forum was a little more friendly than many others -- I guess not.

 

Anyway, wholesaletrains.com is in fact out of stock on both the #4 right and #6 left.

tandkhobby.com is also out of stock on both the #4 right and #6 left.

advantagehobby.com is also out of stock on both the #4 right and #6 left.

hobbyshopamerica.com is also out of stock on both the #4 right and #6 left.

 

Thanks for your kind help, though.  Glad I took the time to post this information.

 

Randy

Thank you, Jim.  Believe it or not, I checked those guys also today (in addition to the four that Ron mentioned and countless others.)  Stockyard does say they have the #6 left in stock, but no way to order online, and when I called earlier today nobody answered.  I will try calling again tomorrow.

 

I also had previously checked JusTrains and they don't seem to have any of the numbered turnouts -- though I suppose I am at the point where I could call and double check.  But my layout is 14' x 30' so I am going to need a lot of turnouts.  One or two lucky pieces isn't going to do the trick.

 

Of course I have also been watching eBay and dozens of other websites -- I've been Googling and phoning for many hours over the past few days -- and they are just really really hard to find.

 

Thanks again.

 

Randy

 

This thread could not have come at a better time. I had bought a bunch of Scaletrax  and many switches a few years back. After a couple of months I am to build my layout and I was debating what track to use ( I also have some Realtrax. Atlas was also an option I was looking at). From all the responses here, "for me" it looks like I will just stick with Scaletrax and I can easily fix the switch problems with dremel I have from my R/C plane days.

 

I have a couple of Scale wheeled locos too so I can run them in 2R format, who knows  may be I will transition into 2R eventually with the Sunset and MTH scale offerings...

 

Thx for all your comments, you may have saved me a bunch of money!

 

I think Scaletrax switches are poor. We used them on our club's exhibition layout, we found shorting over the frogs, and they were not robust, breaking under the weight of large locos. The Scaletrax track itself works fine and looks very good.

 

The shorting issue of the switches has a solution as mentioned previously, but to break due to a loco weight?? Wow, how big were these locos? I had MTH S1 run over them many times with no problems, may be I was lucky.

 

Thx for your feedback.

Randy, I truly hope you took my post as humor or as you say sarcasm.  It was not intended to be mean.  If there were an OGR sarcasm forum, I'd would probably be there all day.  There are a lot of posts I type and never submit.  My wife is usually my barometer telling me, "You can't say that!"  She went to bed early last night, so I did not have an editor.

 

There are other sites that appear to have these... maybe not 1 stop shopping.  A #4 RH here and #6 LH there.  But you also have to be willing to pay $70 - $80 or more.  When I bought my Scaletrax (Right after the Rich Bastista Video's) I was able to purchase all of my switches for $35-$45.  

 

That's my main complaint now.  I could deal with having to tweak and modify these to work at a cost of $40.  But for $80... I might as well buy another brand switch that works perfectly right out of the box.

 

Ron

 

I can understand something happening in China that would create a temporary shortage for Atlas products and I'm willing to deal with that. However, I really wanted to use ScaleTrax because of their FlexTrack, but I'm totally frustrated that MTH doesn't seem to care about supporting their products, at least when it comes to track. When I got back into the hobby and decided to switch to "O" scale, it was because of MTH and DCS. While I'm still months away from starting construction, I'm wondering now if I should just eat my losses, sell what little I have and find something else to spend my money on. Maybe I'll use GG/Ross, but why should I have too? Am I missing something?

Hi guys,

 

Randy, you ave mail!

 

I know Dave Allen has posted of the troubles he and his club had with their switches, but this has simply has not been the case for us.  We have installed hundreds of ScaleTrax switches on the NWTL and other layouts and I have NEVER had the rail of a switch break apart.  I've broken a few throw bars and replaced them with styrene strips, but the rails are quite sturdy.  The overall assembly is fairly flexible, so I could see having problems if you ran the switches over soft (sponge foam) sub-roadbed, but mounted on firm benchwork the ScaleTrax switches have proven to be far more durable than Atlas.  There's a good deal more plastic gripping the rail at each tie when compared to the Atlas "spike" design.  Some of the mainline switches on the NWTL have literally passed tens of thousand of axles including some of the heaviest O-gauge engines ever made, including the Lionel JLC Challenger, MTH Z-6 Challenger, MTH W-1 electric, and more than a dozen diecast Northerns.  Not one switch has EVER failed.

 

As we have talked about many times, ScaleTrax switches are rarely perfect out of the box.  However, all the problems can be easily fixed before installation.  When properly tuned and installed a ScaleTrax switch is as reliable as any commercial switch available.  There are some hand built switches that are better.

 

Hi Dave;

This is a beautiful curved switch! Sorry I do not know much about it,I assume it is compatible with Scaletrax and what is the radius? Thx!