MTH Scaletrax Flex Track Question

I don't have any experience with scaletrax. I have used Atlas Flextrack for straight sections. It does have an increased difficulty level to secure it while maintaining a straight line but can be done. If placing multiple flex tracks together to form a straight line the difficulty level increases with each piece you add. I secured the track at more points than I would in a curve and held the track against a tightly secured straight edge through the entire process.

You could use the flex... But it is a lot more work.  You will have to trim and cut all of the rails and then solder them all together or use the Lou Cross Right O Way connectors.  But that still requires solder.  You also have the added problem of track that might not be perfectly straight.  That might be prototypical if you are modeling an old and poorly maintained railroad.

Save flex for your curves.  I would solder three 10" pieces before using flex in place of straight.

By the way... Here are some places that appear to have the track in stock.

http://www.w.trainworld.com/ma...ght-section-45-1019/

PaulG,

I just got off the phone with Paul from Catoctin Mountain Trains in Thurmont, MD.  His number is 301-271-5491.

He has the 30" Straights in stock.  Paul is an absolute great retailer.  Give him a call and he will set you up with what you need.

vr

Ron

Thanks for all the responses.  I have tried hobby shops all over the country (internet) and it is surprising how much Scaletrax is either not carried or is backordered with no idea of when it will be available.  I finally was able to get what I needed with only some #4 turnouts being backordered until March.

It does seem to me that the availability of Scaletrax has been a problem for quite awhile.  Anyway, hopefully by the end of next week, I'll be laying track! 

My LHS does not even carry Flextrak. No idea why, will have to ask them as after a few threads here about track I have been wondering. They do carry MTH RealTrax and the MTH Std gauge track that looks a lot like RealTrax only a LOT bigger. They also carry every other kind of track and switches available except the new track that RMT is selling.

Here it is almost 3 months later and I am having a hell of a time finding scaletrax 30" straight (45-1019) and #4 RH turnout (45-1051)

All mth could tell me at york was that "we're building them".  What the heck does that mean?  Next month?  Next year?  It was like pulling teeth trying to get any kind of a concrete answer on availability about some items, not just their track.

I need 2 of each of the part #'s I listed above.  If anyone can provide some help it would be greatly appreciated.

You can use the flex in place of the fixed. You just have to take a little more effort in lining it up. Think about all of the people using Gargraves before fixed Gargraves straights came along. As for the joints with the other track, there aren't any conductors on the ends, so you just have to cut the rails down and either solder the rails together or connect feeders. I constantly troll eBay for ScaleTrax for sale -- it comes up from time to time and prices vary.

The track availability problem isn't unique to ScaleTrax. Up until literally a couple of weeks ago Atlas track wasn't available.

MTH says it's committed to the ScaleTrax line, but it's availability (or lack thereof) has been problematic.

I have a lot of experience with Scale trax. to join the pieces get some Atlas connecters and solder the track together at the joiners. No sweat using the flex on straights. Mark a straight line on the bare road bed where you want to position the outer boundary of the ties. I use a yard stick to mark the boundary line and then brad it or nail it in place. Eyeball the straight for any wobbles and correct.

Not necessarily easy peasy, but effective.

I was in The Train Room in Hagerstown, MD recently.

http://www.the-train-room.com/

He has Flex, Straights and Switches.  Be prepared to pay full price.  As for joining the flex track... The Atlas rail joiners will work.  They can be a little loose and will need to be soldered.

I like the rail joiners made by Lou Cross at Right-O-Way (559) 665-1001.  You have to call him direct.  No web site.  Very nice man and he will hook you up with some very nice looking rail joiners.

Ron

I got a call from Trainworld on Saturday that they had Scaletrax straights in stock. I had some backordered. You might try giving them a call.

718-436-7072

George (G3)

Thanks to all so far for the help and assistance.  Have my 30" straights ordered from the train-room.com  Thank you Ron045  Love those rail joiners.  They look prototypical or **** close to it in that pic.

So now will be the quest to find who's going to have #4 RH switches first and when.

Thanks.  Called trainworld.  Was told June for the #4's.