Scaletrax rant!

Real Trax has the same issue. What is the fix you speak of?

c.sam:  Sorry to hear this...I have picked up some Scaletrax, and am planning to use it, for exactly the reason you cite...appearance....when everything else looks like rail is scale 2 feet high... and so Scaletrax won't match up with anything else, even if connecting it wasn't an reengineering feat.  Wish Ross or somebody had a line at that height or lower.  Other brands' height considerations seem to be founded on matching Lionel (not 0-27) traditional tubular track height, but if you don't plan to use any

tubular.....

Sam,

 

Its the reason I gave up on it and switched track systems. Although a good looking track it's problem are just too much for me to put up with at this stage of my life. Also it's just not the switches but track continuity also.

I am planning on upgrading from Fastrack on my next layout. I have narrrowed it down to either Scaletrax or Atlas. I am leaning towards Scaletrax due to it's lower profile and solid rail construction. THE major concern I have with either system is the switches. I'm going into this deal with eyes wide open so no room to whine. I will miss the reliability of Fastrack switches though. What is the fix(es) that you refer to for Scaletrax switches?

Bobby & Andy - Dave and Ted Hikel have posted some really good and extensive information on the Forum relating to ScaleTrax and overcoming the 'minor annoyances' inherent with it. Suggest you do a search and read it rather than me trying to remember the details!

Would I use it again?  Yes, but would take some of their recommendations before starting to lay track...

Thanks C. Sam

Cheryl even if not, all things wrong with each one, that's still a lot of issues for a NIB item.

I'm only a messenger, lol, not saying for/against on it.  I understand Dave Hikel has gotten a couple different layouts smoothed out using ScaleTrax.  FWIW.

No me either, other brands have issues now and then too.

Isn't it a shame that a switch track could have 9 problems out of the box.  HO has uniform standards that all track and rolling stock have to comply to.  How hard would it be to have O 3R do the same?  The competition between command systems seems to have a certain advantage (and not), but flanges, gaps, coupler heights, frog crap etc... problems are an industry embarrassment.

Alan

i know nothing about scaletrax although it does look very good as c.sam pictures shows.

 

problems with various mfgs switches drove me nuts also.derailments were the norm for certain switches.

 

having to fool with a switch to get it to work so trains can pass through  just isnt for me.

 

thank GOD i found fastrack.zero problems with fastrack switches.at one time i thought about using atlas switches but various problems were posted about issues with atlas's switches.

 

i dont know if the switches are a design flaw or a mfg problem.the people buying these products shouldnt have to go bonkers trying to make them work properly.

 

terry.........

I compared ST vs Atlas and I like the Atlas better it looks better to me.

Hi all,

 

Hang in there Sam.  I know it's frustrating dealing with these problems, but they are fixable.  I tend to agree that the problems are more than we should have to deal with from a new product, but for some folks the lower profile rail is worth the extra effort.  For those who are interested we do offer inspection and repair service for your switches.  If you purchase your switches through us we do this for you.  It helps save a lot of headaches if you go through and correct the problems before installation.

 

I have tried my best to encourage Steve Brenneisen of Ross Custom Switches to come out with line of ScaleTrax compatible switches.  MTH is willing to sell Steve the ScaleTrax rail in bulk.  If you too would like to see Ross make ScaleTrax compatible switches please let them know.

 

The last several Yorks I've been giving clinics on using ScaleTrax in the MTH booth.  To their credit, MTH has allowed me cover both the strengths and weaknesses of ScaleTrax in the clinics.  Hopefully we'll be able to make this clinic available to everyone in the near future.  We've been wanting to video tape one of the clinics at York, but of course that would be a violation of the "no cameras" rule.

 

Isn't it a shame that a switch track could have 9 problems out of the box.  HO has uniform standards that all track and rolling stock have to comply to.  How hard would it be to have O 3R do the same?  The competition between command systems seems to have a certain advantage (and not), but flanges, gaps, coupler heights, frog crap etc... problems are an industry embarrassment.

LOL!  The NMRA has set standards for Hi-Rail O and O-27 (S-3.3).  However, many of the dimensions given in the standard don't work very well.  Just as Lionel set the de facto standards in 3-rail in the post-war era, Ross is the de facto standards body for modern 3-rail track.

 

HO switches are not much different than in 3-rail.  Shorting is a huge problem when converting a layout from conventional DC to DCC command.  Most manufacturers have had to introduce a second line of switches (electro frog vs. insul frog) just to deal with the problem.  Rail and tie heights are all over the map.  HO track is readily available in three different rail sizes (code 100, 83, and 70).  Different manufacturers use different thickness ties with each rail size.  Want to use Walthers/Shinohara code 83 curved switches with Atlas code 83 flextrack?  You'll be shimming each and every switch!  You have a lot of options in HO, but the grass isn't always greener.

Dave, your response is music to my ears (er, in this case my eyes)! I really like the rail height and thin center rail of Scaletrax v.s. Atlas. I will be buying my switches from you when I build my new layout next year. We are moving back north early then and one of the major criteria in our house hunting is going to be the basement . Once I get my track plan settled I'll be in contact with you.

WOW!  Good information!!  I second (or 109th) the motion that Ross offer Scaletrax

rail height switches (AND FLEXTRAK AND SECTIONAL, with no funny connections). The big turnoff, just from fiddling with Scaletrax is the incompatible connection with any other track.  Why patent in inconvenience?

Another is the hand-cutting sharp edges on bottoms of ties.  A lot of money appears to have been invested, after the good idea of making it more realistic in appearance,

into making it incompatible with anything else.  That money should have been spent

on reliability and debugging the design.  I don't like the rail height of anything else..

it makes you want to bury the ties.  I have not read of flange problems with it?

Atlas track, Ross switches = no complaints.  Installing them now.  BigRail