ScaleTrax or Atlas O

The Atlas O track line includes O27 curves and transition connectors for tubular track in their line.  The selection of turnout/switches is better than ScaleTrax and is complemented by Ross Custom Switches.

Availability of Atlas track is very good since they fixed their factory problem in China.  You can always find it discounted at the major on-line dealers.  Also, some have frequent sales.  Be wary of buying off ebay as the first version of switches had undersized jumpers.  Second release fixed the jumper issue and added UV resistance to the line.  The long awaited third release improved on everything. 

If you do searches on both brands you'll find more information. 

In your case, I would go with Atlas (which I used on my layout).

Jan

I would go Atlas, the selection of track and turnouts is much much broader and if Atlas doesn't have something you need you can sub in a Ross Custom with no fuss or muss. While ScaleTrax looks great the product line is limited and the availability has been sketchy

I like and use the Atlas O.

I have Scaletrax because I'm going for something different, but for a first-time 3-rail build, I'd recommend Atlas for its availability of sizes and compatibility with Ross turnouts (the widest variety of turnouts for O gauge).

I went Atlas O and I agree, be wary of the eBay market. I started buying track early this year when there was a shortage. I had one really bad eBay purchase from an on-line store. They took the product back and refunded my money. I also bought, from an individual, a bunch of Atlas O track (early version) that had steel rails instead of nickel-silver. In the end, I didn't save any money; wish I had never gone there.

Personally, I went with Atlas over Scaletrax. I am also very happy with the Atlas track and would choose it again if building a new layout. I really liked the look of Atlas better and the Scaletrax is limited in selection as others have stated. Atlas has much more to choose from in curves and switches. My LHS carries Atlas, but not Scaletrax. For some reason Scaletrax is the only track they do not carry, they have all other current brands available in stock.

Also as other said above Atlas is discounted at the larger online dealers, but the tubular track will still be less expensive. I don't know anything about Super O track other than some folks really like it and it is no longer made and availability could be a problem? I would also recommend purchasing new Atlas track. I have made some used purchases during the shortage and some did not turn out so well. 

Scaletrax hands down.  Dave Hiekel a banner advertiser  makes custom Scaletrax switches.

Also when laying lower profile Lionel 0-27 style or Scale trax track  over Homosote over plywood you can insert Ross and simply slice out a switch shaped patch of Homosote under the Ross turnout and shim the Ross up to make the rail heads even.  Plus Scaletrax will blend more easily to 0-27 which could be used in a less visible area.

Atlas is bulky, stiff to flex  &  $$$$$$$$.

Best all around econo move IMO is Ross turnouts with Gargraves flex.  Atlas  simply will not fit in a budget approach,

I have Purchased scaletrax for use on my own layout, because I really like the look. That said, as a first layout, go atlas or Ross/Gargraves. Just this weekend I replaced some old Gargraves switches with Ross Custom Switches on the layout I built as a teenager with my Dad. I can't get over how smooth and perfect Ross switches are. If you don't want to suffer with bad switches, buy Ross Switches up front and use either Ross track or Gargraves or Atlas. But go Ross to start with. 

I will also say that most of the track systems out there are great. The difference is in the switches. But each track does have unique ways of mating and getting good electrical connections. So before you commit to any track system buy a few small pieces and get familiar with it. Make sure you are happy with its design before you go all in.  It will save many dollars down the road for a few extra spent upfront 

Thanks everyone. So it seems that the Atlas will be the more readily available track with more options and I am assuming the cost between the 2 track systems are fairly close? Thanks Jan for the info on the switches, it sounds like maybe it would be best to purchase track from a train dealer when on sale or discounted vs trying to save on Ebay unless maybe just for buying track alone.  

IraqvetUSMC posted:

Thanks everyone. So it seems that the Atlas will be the more readily available track with more options and I am assuming the cost between the 2 track systems are fairly close? Thanks Jan for the info on the switches, it sounds like maybe it would be best to purchase track from a train dealer when on sale or discounted vs trying to save on Ebay unless maybe just for buying track alone. 

If your choice is limited to Atlas and ScaleTrax, your first statement is correct, Atlas has more curve and other options than ScaleTrax does. However, depending on what you need, there might not be that much difference in what they both offer, so don't dismiss either out of hand. I eventually nixed ScaleTrax because I wanted something between O31 and O54. Atlas, GarGraves and others have it, ScaleTrax does not. I actually bought some ScaleTrax Flextrack before I made that decision because I thought about using Atlas on the lower level with O45 curves and ScaleTrax on the upper level with O31 curves....and may still use the ScaleTrax for that purpose. The problem with both brands is that what might be available today, might be backordered tomorrow with a long wait. For example, there are threads here detailing a recent 2-yr wait for numbered switches. That doesn't matter if they have what you want today and you can afford to wait when it's time to expand or need a replacement.

Anyway, I initially picked Atlas because I thought it would be the quietest. But I recently I visited a layout with GarGraves and it seemed just as quiet. Of course, that could have been the environment, the layout materials that were used, etc.,  but it seemed as quiet as the layout in Scottsdale that got me interested in Atlas in the first place. So, I've decided to switch to GarGraves for a number of reasons other than noise. It's cheaper,  is Made in America and is readily available, no waiting for shipments from China. It also mates easily to Ross Switches if I decide to add turnouts at some point.

If I were you, I wouldn't settle on any track just yet. I don't know where you are in Indiana, but of it's close enough, I suggest a visit to Mr Muffin's, they recently relocated to Atlanta north of Indianapolis.

Thanks Dave. I am not settled on any track just yet. I personally liked the look of the plastic ties better on the Atlas and ScaleTrax vs the Gargraves but I am going to a train show this weekend so I will be able to hopefully see these tracks in person. I am actually really considering going with Lionel Super O as I know of a local guy who sells it and I really like the looks of it from pictures that is. Also I can get the Super O for cheap compared to the new name brands. In my opinion its a step up above O27 and O for looks without breaking the bank as this is a new hobby that I am just starting off on and have a couple of motorized toys that keep what little play money in check haha.  The rest goes to the wife and kids. I am located in NW IN just outside of Chicago. I will check out there website though if they have one.

If Price is a big consideration then I would give Gargrave flex track a look. I know it takes getting use to bending and cutting the track but there are a number of how too videos and articles on the subject.

It looks great and the price point is very good after a little practice. As for switches Gargrave has a reasonably priced product line there also.

I would certainly go with Atlas (as I have on my 14 YO layout).  Ease of use and flexibility on many fronts.

The only problem - ever - with Atlas was the early turnout problems - long-since fixed.

Can you build an entire layout using GG flex track? 

GG flex track can be difficult and frustrating to work with, especially if trying to bend it tight. Fortunately, there are many different ready-made radii to choose from.  Personally, the biggest drawback to GG and Ross is that both are too far out of scale for my taste. The ties are too large as is the rail.  Better suited for G gauge.

Atlas and ScaleTrax are much better in that respect where ScaleTrax has the edge in size - the rails are lower in profile and cross section and a big plus is that the center one is a blade - an inverted 'T' giving a much smaller visual impression. Very much like Super O.  See photo below.

I lean toward full-scale models and find that the lower profile of ScaleTrax makes all of my equipment appear more massive and realistic. Atlas uses rail that is much larger and the middle rail is large giving the track a 'bulky' or 'crowded' appearance. Otherwise, Atlas is a fine system as well.  

Thanks Sam. It sounds like I just need to to see all these systems in person. I am actually really considering the Super O now. Even though it is old I hear it is built well and the track can be manipulated for different curves. Also the 3rd rail is brass which is very good conductor. I also like the look and really wish Lionel would have continued that style of track when they switched from O to FasTrack. I do know that I don't want the track to be big a bulky and look like G gauge.

I have a bunch of Atlas switches....how can you tell if they are the early ones ? Thanks 

I don't care what brand track you buy, they all work, but I can say that what ties look like when bare won't be a big deal once ballast is applied, assuming you intend to ballast. And I've seen quite a few layouts, all using different brands, and I'd be hard pressed to tell you which is which now. Every layout I've visited looked nice, even the one in Texas that had a hodge-podge of Atlas, ScaleTrax, GarGraves and even some Lionel track. When trains were running, I didn't even notice the track. All of the tracks produced today have something off, either tie height or spacing, rail height or profile, etc. I've spent over 2 years off and on mulling over what brand to buy. And until last Monday I was all set to buy Atlas. However, seeing a functioning GarGraves layout changed my mind and now I'm going to favor cost and availability more than appearance.

When it comes to bending, it all depends on how tight you want to go. There is at least one thread here showing a double main done with GarGraves flex,  but I think the minimum radius was O64 or something. The key was building a template to do the bending. I happen to have some ScaleTrax flex and while I can bend it to O31, it needs to be bent tighter so it will more readily hold the O31 curve and even then there is a lot of pressure to return to its original shape. It looks like the biggest problem though would be the joints on curves. I bought it to make gentle curves on long straights when I get around to constructing a larger layout. I haven't seen a piece of GarGraves flex, but my understanding is that ScaleTrax is the most flexible. None of them are anywhere close to being as flexible and HO/N scale though. I would buy sectional curves and use flex for the gentle curves I mentioned.

IRAQVETUSMC,

If you would like some in depth comments on Atlas, which I prefer, p,ease send me an e-mail. I have too much to type here for such an explanation.

Thanks for your service,

Eliot

I would never let the lack of a particular brand's sectional curve track determine my selection..  Scale trax can  be rolled perfectly to a 6" trolley radius if need be by using a rail bender.  I would only use Scale trax for urban trolleys.   GG can be formed nice and smooth around a plywood template.  The tighter you bend any flex the more it may be best to waste cut 3" off each end to eliminate the small unbent tips. 

Scale trax can stagger slide rails for smooth joint transition. 

As far as cost goes Atlas is an arm and leg followed by Scale trax followed by GG. GG is the choice for good track  at a great price.  

Atlas O gauge track is more like G scale rail.  Tall bulky, stiff to bend.  However the flex length rails can be stagger slid to make curve joints blend.

Sectional curve track is the most expensive way to use any brand tack.  If on a budget,  bend your own and forget the limitations of diameters available,  

My I suggest, DO NOT use price as a guide for switches.  Trains will run on most any track selected.  Once ballasted they are all rather similar.   Switches are another animal altogether.  Over the years I have used GG, Atlas, Scale trax, Lionel and Ross turnouts.  Anymore I would only use made in the USA Ross.  Period. 

May I suggest to prioritize your target goal.  Is it cost?  Is it sectional diameter track availability?  Is it the size of the rail it's self? Size of ties?  Tie spacing?  Tie material?  Country of origin?

It sounds like you are working with a moving target.

This is something you may well need to settle on your own.  Kinda like asking "Should I go to church and if so which one?"  Many folks go to each church.  Many do not go at all.  Do what is right for you.  The only way you can best decide is to get first hand experience. 

Track is chosen for many different reasons.  Some selections yield regret, some selections made with lack of first hand experience of exactly what is available.  Other selections are ultimately replaced, that is the most expensive track scenario in both time and money.

Ambivalence is eliminated with knowledge and experience.  Forum processing can be a starting point but it is only a piece of the pie, IMO

Dave - I do plan on using ballast and your right, I am sure the look of the track changes once ballast is laid and then the difference is not that noticeable. I am doing all this on a budget so realistically the most expensive track is out of the budget to start. 

Eliot - Thank you and I will shoot you an email if your address is in your profile, I am new to the forum so I am still finding my way around it. 

Tom - I know exactly what theme I am going for when I build my layout. I am starting off with a steel mill based theme that will have some spurs, a rail yard and 1 or 2 main loops. As for prioritizing, cost comes first and like you mentioned if I invest in a more expensive track system right from the get go I am stuck with it as it will be a long time before I can swap it out if I don't like it. The train show this weekend should give a better perspective on the different makes of track when I can actually get my hands on it. As for the curves I do not have a layout drawn up yet so in all reality I don't know what all I will need track wise. This is why I am wondering if I should build the track with standard O or O 27 because its cheap and once its completed I can add up the cost of what I would need to replace it with Atlas, ScaleTrax or GG. 

Here is the thread I mentioned showing how to bend GarGraves flex track. The same techniques can be used with others, especially ScaleTrax. Since I'm dealing with a small space, I didn't think trying to bend flex track to tight curves was for me. Still, I rounded up some ScaleTrax flex to see what was involved and while it could be bent, I decided to spend the money on sectional curves for the small layout I'm getting ready to build. I'll use what ScaleTrax OI bought when/if I build a large garage layout.

When you get to the point of comparing prices, don't just compare MSRP, compare mail-order discount prices too. Using what track you have and just adding to it will probably be the cheapest option, so you have to decide if you're okay with the "toy" look or if you're willing to increase the budget a bit to get more realistic track. There are plenty of "toy" layouts that look great and are fun to operate, so the term "toy" is not derogatory in any way. Since you'll be going to the train show, I'm sure you'll be able to see things for yourself.

And while many of us are not "experts", we do have experiences and opinions to share. Take them for what they're worth and do more research before making decisions, especially ones that are expensive to undo. My layout visit last week showed me that a lot of modelers overbuild or do things that work for them, but don't always work for someone else. The key to a good build is gathering as much information as possible and them researching it.

Oh, and don't forget to check You Tube, it has a ton of model railroading videos showing almost every aspect of the hobby. Good luck and let us know what you find at the show.

Thanks Dave.  I definitely am going for the more realistic look and I know I can add rubber ties to the O27 but it's just not the same. But O27 is extremely cheap to work with but I just can't get past that toy look. I can't wait to go to the show and see what I am up against.