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

Nice switchDave.  Perhaps you should be the subs to MTH and manufacture the switches.  Will you be selling the curved switches at York or are they only custom made per order?

Ron

Ron045

Nice switchDave.  Perhaps you should be the subs to MTH and manufacture the switches. 

How 'bout it Dave?

Couldn't you guys set up a custom switch division and produce a few of these different configurations for sale?  Sounds like a great business. Just might catch on...

'Hikel Turnouts' for the discriminating ScaleTrax user.

Endorsed by

Dave & Ted

Rich Battista

CSX Al

Phil Klopp

AGHR Matt

Allan Miller

C Sam Hopkins

and a myriad of other fine modelers

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!

 

Sam E.

Several years ago I took a crack at hand laying a switch.  What you see in the photo above is the result.  It uses ScaleTrax rail, scale wooden ties and a Ross frog.  The dimensions are based on the Ross No. 8 curved switch pattern.  We took it to York in hopes of encouraging MTH to introduce more ScaleTrax switches or to encourage Ross to make ScaleTrax compatible switches.

Will you be selling the curved switches at York or are they only custom made per order?

Ron

I have no plans to sell hand laid switches at York or on a special order basis.  However, ScaleTrax rail lends it self well to the hand laying techniques used in HO and 2 rail O scale.  If anyone is interested in making their own switches I definitely encourage them to give it a try.  With a few hand tools, some basic materials and plenty of patience most of us can hand lay a reliable switch that looks good too.

How 'bout it Dave?

Couldn't you guys set up a custom switch division and produce a few of these different configurations for sale?  Sounds like a great business. Just might catch on...

 

'Hikel Turnouts' for the discriminating ScaleTrax users.

 

C. Sam

Thanks for the encouragement!  Neither Dave nor I have any plans to go into the switch business.  Having a chance to get to know Steve Brenneisen and talk to him about switch design and manufacture has been one of the most enjoyable things to come out of my trips to York.  Based on my conversations with Steve I do believe it is possible to make ScaleTrax compatible switches with ScaleTrax rail and scale wood ties on a commercial basis.  But to do it at a price comparable to other switches on the market today would require a process other than hand laying. 

So far there have been no indications that I am aware of that Ross is looking to retool their process to handle scale sized ties.  And there have been no new product announcements from MTH that they will be adding new switches to the ScaleTrax line.  At this point I think we are all looking forward to seeing the current line of ScaleTrax switches back in stock at MTH.  Hopefully this generation of ScaleTrax switches will have far fewer problems than the last.

In the long run I do think it possible that we will see some additions to the ScaleTrax product line.  An O-72 wye would be the easiest since it can use several components from the existing O-72 switches and there is only one new injection molded tie toll needed, not a right and a left.  Beyond that I would like to see a right and a left O-72+ curved switch (something Atlas does not have) and a ScaleTrax No. 4 double slip switch.  If those four additional switches were available I believe that ScaleTrax would be the Three Rail Scale track system.

From your lips the MTH ears.

From your lips the MTH ears.

They have certainly heard from us. 

The picture above shows me holding the curved switch with Jill from MTH.  We also showed it to Mike Wolf along with the O-72 wye and discussed what new items we would like to see for the ScaleTrax product line.

MTH has asked Dave to give clinics on working with ScaleTrax in the MTH booth at the last several York shows.  Prior to the presently anticipated ScaleTrax switch production run MTH contacted Dave to ask what areas needed improvement in the manufacturing process.

They are listening.  They are even asking what would make their products better.  We are looking forward to seeing the new switches and seeing what improvements have been made.  When we get our hands on them we will let you know what we find.

It is good that MTH is listening to its supporting customer base. This is encouraging me to use my Scaletrax instead of switching to another brand.

I do hope they will also consider an 0-72 or higher radius double cross over?

Hi Sam E.,

You can already make a double crossover with a 22.5 deg. crossing, two #4 RH switches, two #4 LH switches, and two pieces of 10 inch straight.

Hi Dave, thx. Sorry did not explain myself well. Yes, I had done that before but I would like to see a One piece double cross over especially a #6 or even a #8! that will make large steamers look so graceful changing tracks!

Then maybe since I'm not yet buying track, I'm listening too much to those who have complained about shortages for quite awhile now. Perhaps they fill a lot of backorders and that doesn't leave much stock to go on shelves? If that's the case, I guess I need to plan ahead then and order well in advance of starting construction.

I also need to research the fixes for the switches to see if I'm up to the task. I don't like the idea of having to "fix" expensive switches before I can install them, but better then than after the fact I guess. I really liked the video from Ron's son showing how to connect ScaleTrax to Atlas. Not because I expect to do that, but because it really shows the different "look", especially if I decided not to ballast for quite a while, if at all.

I don't like the idea of having to "fix" expensive switches before I can install them,

I agree Dave.  This was Ok when scaletrax switches were $40 and Atlas switches were $75.  But now that they are comparable in price, they absolutely should work perfectly out of the box.

My experiences so far...

(1) Melted a switch machine because the toggle switch froze.  It was recommended not to use those toggles and buy a third party toggle or use a manual throw.

(2) Spacing issue which causes shorts

(3) Derailing issue on certain RK engines with certain switches.  i.e.  Will ALWAYS derail on O-72 number 1 switch but won't derail on O-72 number 2 switch.  That tells me it's not the engine at fault.

(4) Throwbar failures... The little plastic tabs wear out over time.

(5) Not so easy and consistent installation connections.  That is a failure of the whole Scaletrax line, not just relegated to switches.

I will admit... after installed and ballasted it looks good.  Again,  the work arounds were acceptable when it was cheap.  But now that the price has gone up, I'm thinking before I buy more.  Especially since my son came up with an interesting new plan.  Our mains and most sidings are all set.  If we do continue with Atlas it will only be on a small dead end branch line we have planned.

If I were buying all my track today, I'd try something different.  I don't work for any of the hobby companies and I do not professionally install layouts.  Like most of you, I'm an ordinary consumer who does my own work on my own layout.

Ron

Ron,

I admit it, ScaleTrax scares me a bit. My first experience with current "O" scale equipment was the Lionel Christmas train at Bass Pro Shop a few years ago. I was tempted, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. Then I saw an MTH train set at an LHS and it convinced me to get back into the hobby in "O" scale. As a result, I feel a kind of loyalty to MTH.  Then I saw the Black Diamond videos and had to buy those for reference. Next I noted the availability of FlexTrack and have read how easy it is to work with, even when compared to the stuff I used 30+ years ago with HO/N scale track. I started with a RailKing set with the entry-level remote and have upgraded that to the better remote and TIU.

I'm still working on my design and using ScaleTrax, as well as Atlas, with RCS to see how well the design works with the available sections and switches. I'm not opposed to using a combination of ScaleTrax (or Atlas/GG) with RCS, especially for my yard where the RCS curved switches will give me more storage space. The rest of my layout won't need special switches, but I'm still leaning toward RCS, mostly for all the reasons you cite. If it was 30+ years ago, I probably wouldn't hesitate to go with ScaleTrax, but I'm not sure I'm up to the task these days and RCS might be the best option for me.

At this point I myself am in the middle of modifying some Ross switches that I have.  I have a 2 rail layout, but I am also building a 3 rail layout for my boys soooo.....I thought what if I were to change out the ties on the Ross switches for scale ties.  Well needless to say it's a slooow go and not the answer to the problem here, however the "look" is very nice so far.  

       This stock problem seems to never end with MTH/Atlas...maybe it has at some point but boy it sure doesn't seem like it.  I would hope that they could resolve this some how but overseas production can be a bear I guess.  It makes me wonder how much business they've lost to GG or RCS simply because of availability problems with MTH/Atlas. 

Tell me about it. It took me a while to gather the ScaleTrax turnouts. It's nice track if you can get it. Same with Atlas. I decided to go with Micro Engineering 2-rail track as it seems easier to get hold of.

I decided to go with Micro Engineering 2-rail track as it seems easier to get hold of.

Matt, Are you running two rail trains or are you modifying the track adding a 3rd rail?

Ron

The ScaleTrax is going to be wired for both. Not sure which direction I'll go with the M-E track as I have an increasing inventory of 2-rail equipment. I'm also thinking I might want to dual gauge it for On30 which would allow it to support 2-rail, 3-rail and On30. I have so much 3-rail equipment it's not practical to convert all of it so I'll be in 3RS for the foreseeable future with some 2-rail in the mix.

Sounds interesting Matt....I like the idea of a multi-use layout.  When the time comes please be sure to share the progress.

Good luck Matt. I have some ME code 125 "Flex" and let me tell you that calling it "Flex" is a massive overstatement. I absolutely hate working with it. Even with SweepSticks it is an pain to curve. Maybe a rail roller or something would work better?

Have already dealt with some. For a real challenge, try flexing the weathered track. Going to use unweathered.

Yeah no kidding....you better bring a few friends.  I have come away from that stuff feeling like I should turn in my man-card. 

Back in the day when Dick Maddox was with Atlas, I assembled a significant number of pieces of three rail track made with 2 rail scale rails.  I demonstrated how all postwar flanges ran on the 2 rail scale track without "bottoming" out.  I used many truck from ALL manufacturers of 3 rail trains.  I'm in a new home now, and am really thinking of resurrecting that track idea for my new layout.  I was playing with some of the old samples I still have laying around.  

By the way, two rail trucks run very well on Atlas, MTH Scale Trax and probably rails with a square top profile.  Implication is Gargreaves and Ross etc. would most likely perform well in the same environment.  I had made up several cars in this manner to again try to convince manufacturers to offer more scale like equipment.  Not everyone likes high rail.

You sure cannot beat the scale track look!

I believe I would purchase Atlas 2 rail track and add a third rail.  I have not investigated Atlas 2 rail switches yet, so uncertain what I might do there.

This lack of a realistic track, with thoughts of possibly planing the bottoms of ties

to lower "clunky" profiles, to eliminate images of 1930's standard gauge, is a frustration and an obstacle to building a serious layout.   It is too much like this

huge, I think standard guage, Lionel crossing gate I had on my layout as a kid, as compared to the Plasticville, unoperating, but so much better appearing ones

I used.  They, of course, have long since been trumped by the MTH ones that were offered, realistic in appearance.

There has been a guy set up in the Blue Hall offering something pertaining to building

your own switches.   His, in quick glance, looked like just working with hollow rail.  I'd rather build structures and rolling stock and not have to, like narrow gauge modelers prior to WWII, make EVERY thing including laying your own track, in three rail, for crying out loud, and building your own switches, or seriously modifying pricey commercial ones!

i have 6 o54 scaltrax switchs to check. if they need to be tuned what size should the air gap be.

Hi tomdice,

I like to use .010" x .060" styrene strip as a shim between the frog and adjoining rails.  Just insert the strip into the gap and cut it off flush with the top of the rail.  If the gap is too small to insert the styrene you can grab the rail(s) with smooth jaw pliers and open the gap enough to insert the strip.  If the gap is larger than .010", you can use the pliers to tighten up the gap so the strip is held in place.  A drop of thin super glue on each shim will keep it in place and prevent the gap from ever closing up.

You can't use shims for the gap between the closure rails and points.  There you just need to make sure the gap stays open regardless of the point position.

thanks dave for getting backso fast. that should help me alot.tomdice

Sure would be nice if MTH would get it's act together and get this stuff back in stock.  I like their product but this is becoming ridiculous.

MTH ought to open an "O Gauge Division" public relations department to interact with their old (loyal) customer base...

That's good to hear Ted - I certainly hope you're right!

Matt, have you forgotten how we bent the rail for AGHR??? We used Ramons belly for the 101 radius and your belly for the 099! worked perfect.

Your friend John

You guys are nuts.......I love it!!! 

That's for sure. Being slightly nuts is a prerequisite for club membership. As we've all gotten fatter, so have the curves on new alignments.

When we built the original mainline, the ruling radius was 48". This curved trestle on the mountain branch was built to 53" radius. 

We ripped out the approach to the Atlas 2-track bridge and over 30 feet of both mainlines for a more graceful approach, though this photo angle hides it, the curves approaching the bridge are over 60" radius.

 The ones in the background are actually close to 120" radius as I recall. One of these days I'll pull out the lines and measure the degree of curvature.

This shot shows things more clearly if you look toward the rear of this scale-wheeled freight but that's another story for another thread.

That is too funny, yeah I've gotten some wider curves as well as I have aged.