Pro's and Con's of Different Track

Folks....TexasSP has already stated his decision.  He prefers the Scaletrax.  I believe all of the pros and cons have been discussed.....  At this point, why continue the discussion??  He has made his decision.....time to move on.....

Alan

Ted, thank you very much for the feedback and the pictures.  That is some absolutely lovely hand laid track work.  I very much anticipate doing some hand laying like you did on the wood bridge and other areas where necessary.  I don't imagine this will be in any of the first stages but after manipulating all types of HO track, I don't feel intimidated.

As was stated I have made my decision, however, I see no issue with further discussion as others may find the info useful to them.  I enjoy readings everyone's perspective as well, as long as it's real world and not speculation.

I have handled pretty much all O track with the exception of super snap.  Again to clarify my purpose in this thread was for feedback on the operation and installation of different tracks.

Thank you to all who have offered there perspective and feedback, it has been an enjoyable read.

If you deside on Atlas track, do yourself a faver and don't buy there switches.  Go with Ross switches insted and save yourself a lot of trouble!!! 

TexasSP......perhaps I misunderstood so please accept my apology.  I thought you wanted the pros and cons about each track system as stated in your title and original post.  Operation and installation is a different matter.  My statement above was meant to confirm that you made your decision and I thought that further convincing was not needed....  Sorry.

Alan

I have used Gargraves,Atlas and K-Line Shadow rail. By far I like the K-Line Shadow rail the best,now being remade by RMT. Mates perfectly with Lionel tubular O.

Dale H

guys with flex track, is the rail tubular or solid and does the rail have silicon carbon steel to allow it to bend?  I wondered about the flexibility of it and can you bend it more than once?  or is this for a permentent install, once you bend it to shape that is it?  just a question because it would be nice to custom curve everything custom. 

I used about  400' of Gargraves on my recent layout. Chose it over Atlas because I didn't think the noise was that much more and I like the looks when ballasted. Even though I used a simple design there were hundreds of cuts that would have been challenging  with Atlas. Gargraves is much more forgiving with pin connections. Atlas joints have to be perfect. And I don't buy the concern over voltage loss either. Atlas also much much more  expensive for me.

I think you may have misunderstood me as an apology was not expected or needed.  My point was that all feedback based on experience is good including operational and installation pro's a con's.  While my original title may not have completely conveyed that thought, the discussion is an open one and I have enjoyed reading all of the feedback.

One last note, I think ALL of the track systems out there are good an obviously serve their users as needed.  If Atlas or Scaletrax was not available I would gladly use Gargraves or Super Snap.  I would be all over super snap right now in fact if more was available.

It's obvious to me much can be done with any track system as witnessed by so many of the beautiful layouts I have seen posted here.

In HO, I used Micro Engineering track which is considered by many to be a very difficult flex track to work with.  I however loved it and was glad for the options.  I may end up mixing and matching track in areas such as yards and sidings as it more correctly reflects the real world anyway.  The only uniformity I see is in the mainlines and many times that is only uniform by region and/or the track owners.

TexasSP,

You mentioned using different track in different areas.  I also am doing this:

*  Main layout is Fastrack (sound mitigated with foam and roadbed).  O60 main loop.

*  Mountain mining branch line 3% max incline, O-36:  Atlas O

*  Industrial sidings:  Altas Industrial-Rail track-roadbed - came with a set.  A bit lower and lower-profile than the Fastrack.  I am removing the big stables which "offend" my eyes.

-Ken

I just prefer the look of Scaletrax and Atlas O mainly.  When I asked the question, I wanted to see if there was a big operational benefit of Gargraves to get me past that.  As far as I can tell, it's an excellent track system when mated to Ross switches.  

The problem I had in O, is that there is so many good track systems it was not an easy choice.  That is the reason I asked for pro's and con's.

Interesting...calcium chips.  Did you take any pics?

My PRR Panhandle is GarGraves Phantom flex (wooden ties), GarGraves sectional curves (plastic ties), a few pieces of Curtis, and a few pieces of Ross.  Switches are mostly Curtis (17) and Ross (5).

I am helping a friend of mine build a layout in his new house.  He is using Atlas track.  This is my first "up close and personal" exposure to the track and I have to say that I am impressed.

If I live long enough to build another layout, Atlas track will be used.

George

I think another name for the calcium chips, or a similar type product, is chicken grit. You might be able to search the Forum and finds some articles about it's use. There have been a few articles written but I don't remember when.

Ed

I have heard several times of folks using "chicken grit" for ballast, but never heard called Calcium chips?

Are you sure you aren't confusing MTH's RealTrax and ScaleTrax?  RealTrax is the one with the dark grey built-in roadbed, the other is similar to Atlas O (no roadbed, closer to scale appearance).

RealTrax:

ScaleTrax:

Yes, john.  You are right it's real Trax I don't prefer.  (I said I was new to this) I am sorry.

And, the Chicken Grit?  He said it was calcium- I had no reason to doubt him.  I've never fed a chicken in my life.

I have realtrax currently and it's great for its intended use.  Carpet layouts and movable layouts work great with it and Lionel Fast track.  I chose realtrax because it came with the RTR set I was getting and I prefer it's appearance to Fast Track.

Some on here have done some really nice and realistic layouts with both of those.  I just prefer something different for mine.  In fact Frank53 has proven you can make a really great looking layout with O27 Tubular track, but I don't have his talent.

No need to apologize at all.

In regards to Chicken Grit, as I understand there's two basic types: one which can be either be comprised of tiny stones/coarse sand/gravel/ground up nut shells/any combination thereof;  and the other is made up of ground-up oyster shells, which would be the calcium one.

Beyond that, I can't really tell you more as I've never entertained the possibility of using chicken grit as ballast on my layout, although I'm fully aware that others have done it.

Some people claimed to have used kitty litter for ballast with success, although I myself wouldn't go that route as kitty litter absorbs moisture so the chances of mold growing on it would be higher than using chicken grit or commercially available model railroad ballast, especially if you plan to secure it to the roadbed with glue/water.

I have a odd point of view on this.  Probably most will have a different view.

I have always felt that Gargraves wooden ties look better than Atlas plastic ties.

Yes its true that the Atlas ties have the tie plates molded in. Its also true that Atlas ties are much closer to scale than the ones used in gargraves.

But there are two things I dislike about the Atlas look.  First the ties look too plasticy (cause they are plastic)  and second, what railroad has perfectly laid out ties like atlas?  To me the natural variations in the wood of the GG ties plus the fact that they inevitably get a little natural irregularity in spacing etc just looks better.

Also I like to flex my own curves a lot of the time so I really lean towards GG.

The other aspects of Atlas track that I like are the weight and the rigidity.  This track is solid in comparison to GarGraves.  I expect that train performance on Atlas would be superior as well.  Yes, it does cost more.

George