newbie choosing track

Just my opinion and I'm not knocking anyone else's product, but I chose Gargraves track and Ross switches after hands on comparison and input from other modelers.  Absolutely no track related problems for the past 3 or 4 years.  I would recommend pre-formed curves as you plan your layout, as the straight sections of Gargraves flex track is very difficult to bend evenly.  Few have mastered it.

Congratulations on getting your layout underway.  It will give you many hours of pleasure in so many ways, including some frustrations here and there.  The forum is glad to answer your questions and give you advice - a great bunch of people!

Mike

Thanks guys!!!  You have been very helpful on the track topic!!  i see that everyone pretty much has their own favorite.  i guess they are all relative good track and any of them that i choose will do the job so long as I do the job on the install. 

My next queation is about the curves radis and what is the best route to go for a good realistic look and if i am running two different curves side by side do I need to run the same radis or is it all about perferance?  i plan on having a mountian to valley and feild looking layout with maybe a swamp so I dont want my track to really look industrial but more out in the wild.  And do you know a good way to layout your curves?? 

I believe you need a larger radius for the outside curve to make it look right.

Bill:

Per all the above replies I think the best answer to which track system you should use is yes.

All the manufacturers have their good points and bad. Fortunately a lot of the different track can be connected together so if you like the looks of Atlas O but need the yard turnouts (3-ways, 4-ways, yard crossing) that Ross offers you can easily combine the two.

WRT the question on radius you can run the same radius track together, progressive radius - 045 to 054 to O60 etc. with the larger radius on the outside.

The basic question is what is the minimum radius you can live with and that is governed by your locomotive and rolling stock minimum radius. If you ever envision running the big steamers than you need O72 for the mainlines. However for industrial spurs where switchers rule O45 or even O36 are good for getting into tight places but once again be sure the rolling stock you use can naviagate the tight curves.

Joe

I've been going back and forth on the track issue.

I am sort of on the fence between fastrack, atlas, and stainless gargraves.

Has anyone worked with stainless gargraves?

Just my two cents but, if you are going for a "toy train" or even a non super scaled hi-rail layout, Fastrack is the way to go simply becuase it is simple and probably the best engineered out there. If you want a "scale" layout then it is Atlas all the way. Gargraves is ok and was clearly better than Lionel tubular back in the day but, it is really a outdated in this day of various scale track systems. Besides Stainless is way overkill unless you are planning to run outside or live on the beach.

I've got Gargraves track with Ross switches and some of their curved track sections.

Both have been trouble free.

The track is fairly inexpensive, the Ross switches are not cheap, but they work flawlessly for me and I would not get any other.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a section of Atlas flex track to finish off a siding I had.

I like the looks of the Atlas track, but it doesn't have the same tie size/spacing as the other 2 brands.  It does have solid rails.

Atlas flex track has plastic ties, GG and RCS have wooden ties.  I use small zip-ties to hold my track in place.  On one of the Atlas ties where I place the zip-tie broke away form the rail (plastic "spikes").  Not a big deal, but never had that problem with the wooden ties.  Atlas track is also 3X more $$$ than GG or RCS.

I've seen an entire layout done in Atlas and IMO it's the best looking track I've seen.

I would look at the curved sections of track that are available and get them to make up the majority of your curves, using flex track where needed.  That way you'll know the curves are accurate.  Flex track will do, but it takes a steady hand to keep them aligned accurately.

I don't have enough Atlas track to determine if it's quieter than GG or RCS track.  I have strips of anti-fatigue matting under my track for roadbed and it did cut down on the noise, at least before I ballasted it.

oh yeah, GG and RCS cuts easily using a Dremel cutting disk.

Bill,

You will end up getting suggestions for all flavors of track and turnouts as each one of us have had different experiences. I used Fastrack on my first O-Gauge layout four years ago when I switched from HO to O. That was a temporary, 7' x 19' layout, and the Fastrack was great - never a problem with the track or turnouts.

Now I am buidling a larger, multilevel 33' x 38' layout. I selected Atlas track, and I am 100% happy with it. I have 57 turnouts; 45 Atlas straight, and 12 RCS curved. I have had very few problems with the Atlas, but quite a few problems with the RCS; both operational and dereailing. But I'll resolve them all - eventually.

For my dual mainline curves I chose Ø108" and Ø99, and this has worked out fine. I can run an MTH Big Boy on the outer or inner curves togteher with other trains without problems. The only interference I have experienced is when the Big Boy is on the Ø99 and my MTH DDA40X is on the Ø108. Other than that instance, everything else works fine.

Good luck with your choice, and enjoy!

Alex

Bill, you have received some good suggestions here. I'd like to put in a plug for ScaleTrax as well. The lower profile and thin center blade give it a big visual advantage over Atlas and the others in our opinion - your locomotives and rolling stock will appear larger and more massive with it over any of the other systems. Do take a good look at the Toy Trains on Tracks Video mentioned above and you will see a beautiful and realistic layout that is among the best.

CSX Al and the Hikel brothers have done similar layouts too. More are in the works.

The cost is very reasonable too compared to Atlas and Ross switches.

You may want to look into Ross sectional track. Individually spiked rails, wooden ties (oversized same as GG, but looks great), great variety of track radii and if you choose to go with Ross switches which also have individually spiked rails, everything will match perfectly. I should also point out you will not find a greater variety of switches than offered by Ross. In my opinion, if you want a nicely detailed layout start with good quality track and do not mix manufacturers. This way you will have a seamless, unified look.

Lastly, don't forget Ross track/switches are made in the USA.

Good luck!

Mike

I have a question aimed at prrhorseshoecurve ( or anyone else who may know )

How do you repair damaged atlas track?

THanks again guys!!!  I am really leaning towards the scaletraxx because it looks really good to me and looks like it may not be that hard to actually lay and make work.  Also, the price isnt that bad because i just dont think I would be able to afford all ross switches and I want uniform track.  Now that we have talked track what about Layout design i have drawn a few rough steches but, Im thinking i need to do it on the software program thats coming with my train.  Did you guys layout your whole plan and then purchase track as a package or did you just buy track and start laying it and kinda make your plan as you went??? 

When I came to O scale I had used Atlas track for the last 40 years.
I made a huge mistake by wanting to buy all the track for my layout all at once.
That forced me to buy Gargraves so I had enough money for all the Ross switches I wanted. If I had it to do over again(and I will do this eventually) It would be all Atlas Track and Ross switches . I don't like the round topped tin plate track,not one bit.
Oh I can bend the Gargraves flex track but I don't like it near as well as solid rail track.
You'll be better off in the long run if you go ahead and buy really good track like Atlas and add switches as funds permit.

This is just my opinion.
David

You have chosen wisely with ScaleTrax.  It is very easy to lay, price is excellent and it is not the only thing you see after you layout is completed (a good thing in my opinion). 

Do yourself a big favor, don't rush the layout planning stage.  And by all means use RRTrack to design it.  I spent over a year on the design and I can't imagine starting without the design really nailed down.  Re-doing track work is not fun and takes time.  Time that you could be using on scenery etc.  I have over 1,400 feet of track and 75 switches.  I use MTH equipment exclusively so DCS.  I have 3 power stations, 3 Z4000, 3 TIU's, 8 AIU's.  I would be happy to help / assist with any advice or help using RRTrack.  Here is my current plan.  It changes rarely now but not on track plan just scenery, buildings, etc. See attached file if you have RRTrack already.

I have also tried to document my progress, but not nearly as well as some have on the forum, and you can see it here. 

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/2415514336592533

Both Rich Battista and Dave / Ted Hikel have been great in taking time to answer questions and providing advise.  And of course the Master of DCS Barry Broskowitz.