S-Scale Track Options

Bruce,

 

I guess the question is what you plan on doing in S.  If you are going to run AF or AF compatible then you can go several routes.  One is American Models brass rail, solid and code .148.  AM flex track, 12” straight sections and three radius’s of 21”,24” and 27” along with 27” radius turnouts.  MTH is supposed to bring out the old SHS track of code .155 nickel silver on plastic roadbed.  It is unknown if MTH will bring out the flex track sections.  Then you have Lionel with their track system that with some work will mate with the old SHS track.  American S Gauge track with turnouts of 27” radius and flex is NS code .172.  Their web page isn’t available now for some reason.  The old stand by of Gargraves is still available.

 

If you are going to go scale then there are two brands of flex with turnouts.  The first is Tomalco with NS code .100, .083 and .070.  They sell turnouts #4 - #10.  Shinohara sells NS code .100 flex and #6 and #8 turnouts.

 

If you are into hand laying code #.100 or any size rail then the world is your oyster.   Fast Tracks sells aluminum turnout jigs to assemble your own and they can be ordered to any # you want.

 

Greg

Don't forget http://www.custmtrax.com/ Already mounted on roadbed and ballasted.

Greg mentioned the FastTracks jigs which are awesome. You can also find them from sellers on ebay pre-built. I bought all of my #6 turnouts from a guy on Ebay who built them from the FT tools. They are fantastic. The best running turnouts I have used in any scale.

There is also Gargraves S flex track with real wood ties. Looks pretty good.

Has anyone used the Custom Tracks that jonnyspeed mentioned above? I checked out the web page and the track looks pretty impresive.

 

Bruce

Bruce, I use Customtraxx and his (Steve) is excellent!
You will not be disappointed!  He does need time to handcraft the items you may want.

I did a lot of "soul searching" on the question of which track to go with, and opted for the American Models code 148 stuff. It's nicely detailed ( I like the "staggered" ties), holds together well, and I'm very happy with my choice. The fact that it uses brass rail hasn't seemed to pose any negative issues...

FWIW

 

Mark in Oregon

American Models track is pretty bullet-proof.  The modular group I used to belong to used it and it held up well.  It's brass rail has none of problems HO brass rail had in the old days.  I don't know why, perhaps it's a different alloy.

 

Rusty

Thanks, Rusty. Good to know...

 

Mark in Oregon

"One is American Models brass rail, solid and code .148.  AM flex track, 12” straight sections and three radius’s of 21”,24” and 27” along with 27” radius turnouts.  MTH is supposed to bring out the old SHS track of code .155 nickel silver on plastic roadbed.  It is unknown if MTH will bring out the flex track sections.  Then you have Lionel with their track system that with some work will mate with the old SHS track."

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SHS rail is code 138 or .138” in height.  It will mate with AM .148” rail if you use the 148 rail joiners.  When I mate the two together I don’t use shims, file or make any adjustments of any kind.  I even run scale equipment across the joint without any trouble.

The Lionel rail has the same profile as the old SHS rail and I would guess that MTH will be using the same rail also.  To mate any of these different systems together is just a matter of playing with the roadbed to get the rails close enough to use rail joiners.

The Fast Tracks a jig is available for the SHS rail, but remember this will be a scale only turnout.  I don’t know if they will make a fixture for a Hi-rail turnout or not.

The question you need to answer to help choose a track system is what kind of equipment do you intend to run… Flyer, Hi-rail or scale?

Tom Stoltz
In  Maine