Track Survey - How many of you are using ScaleTrax for your layout?

I have used it on my last layout and I plan to use it on the current one I am building.  I am and have been very pleased with the product, now, I will be venturing into uncharted waters this time, as I plan to use the flextrack for the first time, but I'm sure everything will work out fine.

If there was a greater variety of section curves available, I likely would use ScaleTrax.  Rich Battista's superb work with that line made me a believer.

 

As plans stand now, I plan to use GarGraves track and Ross switches for the re-make of my main layout (which now is fitted with FasTrack).

 

The tie spacing on ScaleTrax used to bother me, but once I saw what Rich did with it I became convinced that it's a darn fine looking--and low profile--track system.

 I have four boxes of it waiting to be used. I planned on having an upper level High Line 3 rail loop. Maybe some day soon it will happen.....

Sam,

How do the ScaleTrax switches perform?

Bob we had good service from ours. Occasionally we'd see some sparking as trains would travel through two of them but that was about it. All of ours were 072s and No. 6s. I was unaware of the easy fixes that Dave H published when I layed the track and never got around to pulling them up for the fix.

 

Next time I'm looking forward to trying to hand lay a couple of larger and/or curved switches using the Ross templates. The Hikels have done some amazing work in this area that I'd like to attempt too.

 

It would be great if Mike would get behind this track and expand the line with more sectional curves as mentioned by Allan above and especially some more switches. There was talk at one time from Steve B at Ross about them making a few switches compatible with ScaleTrax but nothing has come of it that I am aware of.

Gargraves track and Ross switches!

Bob, we used Scaletrax for our club's modular exhibition layout. The track looks great, the switches are problematic. We have had problems with derailing, shorting and with the switches breaking when heavy locos like scale Challengers etc are used. I could never recommend them.

  Harold, I am well aware that GG & Ross is considered by many to be the best combination for them,  but I'm specifically asking about other SCALETRAX layouts as stated in my title...

How about some photos fellas?

I am tearing down my layout to move. Will build the new layout with Scaletrax instead of the planned upgrade to it.

 

Note, I found a way to use Existing Ross switches with Scaletrax to fill the limited offering of switches. (I'm using 2 Ross O-72 Wyes)

Put standard 5mm roadbed (Woodland Scenics)  under the ScaleTrax. Put 2mm cork sheet (Amazon). The rails line up sweet. I also found that Ross rails are shaped the same as ScaleTrax, but are just a bit taller. The Ross Ties are much larger, but wood ties as small as Scaletrax ties would split every time you stuck a track spike in them.

I'm using it on my layoout and it looks great. I haven't had a problem with anything derailing other than a 2 rail wheels.

I liked the look and chose it for a layout I was building, then used it on the Micro Layout contest. I liked its insulated properties and how it worked with scale-wheeled equipment (in 2-rail mode, BTW), but admittedly the speed was low because of the minimal trackage. My plan is to only use #4 and #6 "straight-leg" turnouts when I build a larger layout. The curve radius here is 48" (O-96) and is all done with flex track and one #4 turnout.

 

 

 

When I built an 18" x 22' switching layout last spring, most of the switches  were not available and MTH had no projected availability date, so i went with Ross again.  Does anyone know if the switches are now available?

I have so much invested in Fastrack that I don't believe I could switch now....

I looked at all the track systems available, and don't like any,  Scaletrax has the looks..but I hear unkind words about the switches.  When I build a structure that has

a siding, that siding is Scaletrax.  Other systems are too "vertical", too clunky, that

have to be buried in ballast to hide extraneous height.  I am reluctant to use Scaletrax

due to its incompatibility, and complicated connectibility.  I am waiting for another

brand with that low, realistic, profile.

Started with Lionel 0-27, then when Lionel came out with FASTTRACK switched over.  I like it.

When you get down to it, ScaleTrax has too wide of tie spacing and problematic switches.

And in reality not very many options in turnouts to be had.  So does the the thin third rail and low profile make up for those concessions?

AtlasO is still one of the top better looking 3 rail track systems, with a lot more to offer.

C. Sam,  this does not answer your question, but, ATLAS O AND ROSS CUSTOM curves and Turnouts are My Favorite Tracks..Atlas--072--081--091--099, Ross-072--080--090--096--099--0108--0120 and greater..  Their straits are awesome..Atlas does not dent.

Leapin Larry's LOONEY LINES RR.

 Hey Bob,  I don't see any of your photos here????

 

Can you write me offline please? Gotta a question  csamh1 'at' charter  'dot'  net

Come on guys - this is MY thread and I'm asking for photos/comments on SCALETRAX (only) please!

 

Yes, I think it is unanimous here that Ross switches are the best - bar none.

That said - GG track and Ross switches is a great track system and many of you use it with good success.

 

I was able to visit Caesar's (fatboy) astounding layout during York in April and was very impressed with his Atlas track. The sweeping curves and 'high speed' switches plus his expert craftsmanship is first rate. I actually thought to myself that I might consider switching to Atlas next time...

 

Fortunately for us as hobbyists, there are several excellent choices out there for our many individual preferences.  As someone posted above, hopefully a track system will eventually show up with low profile rails like ScaleTrax and proper tie spacing like Atlas. Will it be 'perfect'?  Probably not depending on how they treat the center rail.

 

There was a suggestion in another thread to go to onboard battery power and do away with the third rail entirely - I like that. The writer was very insightful about how both TMCC and DCS could still be made to function normally. A great idea.

 

PLEASE keep this thread 'ON TRACK' with only Scaletrax information.  Thanks.

Some more photos would be great.

You know when I was a 3 rail guy I used Atlas, but if I had to do it again I would use Scaletrax.  Yes Atlas has the correct tie spacing however the rail is far too tall and the flex track isn't that flexible compared to the Scaletrax, and from a visual standpoint that makes a difference as does the thinner center rail of the Scaletrax.  With regards to visual appearance of a completed layout I would highly recommend checking out Rich Battista's layout and CSXAls, as you know they used the Scaletrax and once weathered and ballasted the tie issue goes away and the thinner center rail is much less noticeable than the monstrous center rail of the other manufacturers.

     Now I have worked with the Atlas,Scaletrax and Gargraves and Ross switches are hard to beat..but for track...Scaletrax is my #1 choice if I ever went back.  Some dislike the electrical connections on the Scaletrax but I have found that if you use care and pay attention to what you are doing then this is a non issue, and the flex realllly flexs nicely and is a pleasure to work with.  As for the issue with the switches, they do not always exist but the fixes that Ted Hikel has shared here work and are easy to accomplish and once they are done...they are DONE.   

"Come on guys - this is MY thread and I'm asking for photos/comments on SCALETRAX (only) please!"

 

You tell um Sam, my thoughts exactly. I'm right there with ya.

 

I have several boxes and many switches waiting for the start of the layout. I've been helping my nephew with his large basement layout and it sure is a pretty darn good looking track for 3 rail. He is using the foam roadbed(comes in a roll), and it is super quiet, the sound you hear is the sounds from PS2, not track noise. Has a few 072 curves, but majority are 120, pretty impressive. Flex track is nothing short of wonderful to work with. He easily staggers joints, will join join multible flex track sections to create those massive curves. Switches are 4's and 6's. Perhaps he'll chime in with a few pictures.

 

 

 

Sam, your layout pictures featuring Scaletrax look FABULOUS!!! 

 

On the surface, I'm very much intrigued by Scaletrax.  However, the realist in me knows that I'd never have the patience to create the custom turnouts that my huge dream layout would require.   Even during my HO "modeling years", I was never drawn to the task of hand laying individual track/rail on wooden roadbed, for example.  I could spend HOURS wiring complex circuits... and even built by own momentum throttles (remember the TAT IV from Bruce Chubb's TriDelt electronics firm?).  But when it came to laying track, I knew my limitations. 

 

Fast-forward to today's grand O-Gauge plans... I have just enough of a need for the exotic like curved turnouts,  #8 double cross-overs, and 11-degree crossings (to name a few) that I've pretty much decided to stick with Atlas-O track/turnouts and then supplement that with Ross for the more exotic turnouts/crossings that Atlas-O doesn't produce.

 

Perhaps if MTH expanded the ScaleTrax line-up... or if Ross offered some compatible turnout offerings to fill in where MTH has no offerings, I'd be tempted to consider ScaleTrax more seriously.

 

David

Hi all,

 

Sam, thanks for your kind words above.  It's been a lot fun over the last few years getting to see what people have been building with ScaleTrax.  Early on Rich Battista and CSX Al's layouts were very inspiring.  Without seeing their work I may never have had made the effort to learn how to work with ScaleTrax.

 

The first layout I built with ScaleTrax is a simple display loop in a grocery store.  I don't have any photos of that layout worth posting, but it's one I refer to whenever anyone expresses any concern about the thin center rail and roller wear.  After 250,000+ scale miles of running over eight years there's no uneven wear on the rollers.

 

The second layout I build with ScaleTrax was a relatively simple 19' x 19' layout.  The gentleman who owns this layout wanted something with a lot of play value for the grand kids and all O-72+ curves for his scale Big Boy.   We packed in a good amount of activity with operating accessories, a logging spur, a stub ended yard, and a reversing loop.  The wide curves left plenty of room for scenery elements and the flex track came in handy in several places.

 

 

 

 

 

That layout was very successful.  When I started working with Peter Hambling to build the NorthWest Trunk Lines I took him to see that layout in action and he was very impressed. At first, the NWTL seemed large enough that we could get by with #4 and #6 switches without much trouble.  The flex track was ideal for the wide sweeping curves on the 1100ft. mainline.

 

 

ScalTrax proved to be just the ticket for modeling real life locations with meandering shallow curves, such as Avery, Idaho, and Silver Bow, Montana.

 

 

 

The narrow center rail really improves the overall look, especially when sighting down the track

 

 

As Ted mentioned above, the ties on ScaleTrax are true to scale for length, width, and height.  This lends the system well to hand laying because commercially produced O-scale wood ties are a perfect match.  Hand laying doesn't need to be complicated.  Simple projects, such using tightly spaced long ties across a bridge, or an ash pit with no ties at all, are really quite easy.  What's more, they are small enough to accomplish in an afternoon, and add a great deal of visual appeal.  Here's a stock Atlas Pratt truss bridge with the plastic ties replaced with wood and ScaleTrax flex rail laid across.  I also added code 148 guard rails for extra visual appeal.

 

 

And, here's an ash pit with no ties and "concrete" posts supporting the track.

 

 

Spiking rail can actually be fun as long as the project isn't so large that it seems overwhelming.  There's nothing like putting in that last spike on a hand laid project! 

 

 

 

It's true that ScaleTrax doesn't present the variety of sectional curves and small radii switches that Atlas and Ross/Gargraves offer.  However, Atlas only makes one more switch than ScaleTrax in O-72 plus sizes (O-72 wye) and the flexible flex track makes any radii obtainable.  The important part is having the numbered switches for tight parallel spacing in the yards.

 

 

 

As the work progressed on the NWTL we realized how much the track plan could benefit from a curved switch in one particular spot.  Ted took of the project of building a curved switch.  Once he built one I realized there was a second place that could really use a curved switch... and a third, and a forth, and a fifth...   There are now 10 curved switches on the NWTL that are all patterned after Ross #6 and #8 curved switches.

 

 

Even if your layout space forces you to use curves smaller than O-72 you can build a lot of layout in a small space with ScaleTrax.  MTH asked me to design an assortment of ScaleTrax layouts that have been in the last several catalogs.  All but one of the layouts, the Tall Timber Mountain, was designed using all sectional track.

 

Pat mentioned earlier that some ScaleTrax switch were out of stock when he was shopping back in Spring.  That's still the case for #4 and #6 switches.  Several months ago MTH asked for my suggestions on how to improve the switches in their next production run.  I don't have any specific information about how those suggestions are being implemented, but it is a clear indication that MTH intends to improve the quality of the switches going forward.  When the new #4's and #6's arrive we should see several improvements.

 

Dave, excellent synopsis!  I enjoyed reading about it and viewing the accompanying pictures.  

 

You just may have a "side business"  building those ScaleTrax curved turnouts, especially if they're built to a Ross template -- although I suspect you're handlaying/spiking the turnout components in place on the permanent layout.  But if you were to do it in a way that allows you to ship the custom turnouts,  I might seriously look you up when the time comes!!!  

 

David

David

 

Hand building switches is very labor intensive.  I can't do it efficiently enough to make a sensible business of switch building.  It is something I do enjoy for fun on a special project and to demonstrate what anyone can do with a few simple tools and some patience. 

tube rides only at my place.

 This seems to be posted in the wrong thread. River rides and canoe rentals are just down the road....

I currently have alittle 0-54 tubular curves and four 3' matching sections as well as some fastrack.

I was thinking for the money when we expande our trackage I'd rather buy Gargraves since it's only alittle more than Fastrack and has the flex straights as well as a decent sellection of curves and switches for our mix of trains...none of them being scale.

 

Ted, I understand completely... which brings me back to my earlier post.  Knowing what I know thus far regarding a few intricacies of my future track plan, I guess I really need to weigh what's intriguing me about ScaleTrax vs. knowing what's in store if I actually opt to go that route.  Time will tell.

 

David 

Sam,

 

I am in the process of building a modular home layout using ScaleTrax.  The layout will, when finished, occupy a space of 14' X 25'.  The benchwork is Sievers, the turnout motors are Tortoise and roadbed Midwest. Layout height is 48 inches and control systems will be Lionel Legacy and MTH DCS.  All decking will be initially painted black.  The attached photos are of the first 8 ft module under construction. A RR Track picture is included of how the layout should look after completion.

 

 

Oops - Wrong thread again.  This may belong with the River Rafting one...

Erie Bob - That's really nice!

Do you envision having to move the layout someday?

Re: The Northwest Trunk Lines - Dave, that layout is truly a thing of beauty! We've certainly enjoyed seeing the progress over these past couple of years, especially the 'Golden Spike' celebration awhile back.  Is the track work 'complete' or nearly so by now?

Hi Sam,

 

The track on the NWTL is about 99.44% done.  The only 3-rail track left to lay is a few feet in Avery, Idaho, between the yard and turntable. that will run through the motor house.  You can see the foundation for the motor house in this photo.

 

 

I'm going to route out an engine service pit in the motor house before building the model. This will be another bite size hand laying project with ScaleTrax rail running along the edges of the pit embed in "concrete" (aka MDF and hydrocal).

 

There's also a few feet of On30 narrow gauge left to lay at the entrance to our coal mine, but that belongs in another thread.  Maybe a thread on nanotubes.  

If you value scale appearance and realism in your 3-rail layout, then ScaleTrax is without a doubt the best track available.  In my humble opinion that is.

Low profile, thin center rail make the engines look their best.  Look at the photos. 

 

If no one mentioned tie spacing would your really notice?

 

First batch of ScaleTrax with 12+ switches (8yrs ago) ... no problems... still working perfectly.

 

Second batch 2yrs ago.  Yes I had problems with several switches with the shorts.  I fixed them...its done...they work perfectly.  Yes, the thin center rail and low profile easily makes up for the one time hassle.  If it was a chronic problem, then that's a different story. 

 

As far as derails through switches go, I don't get it.  I don't have problems.  I have some problems with my 2-rail scale wheel engines through the O-72 switches but not the larger #4 and #6 switches.  Good track work fixes those problems.  My 3-rail large flange engines do not have problems.

 

Yes the armatures on the switches are flimsy.  I broke one when I mounted the under the table switch machine and replaced it.  None have ever broken through operation over 8 years.  But to be fair, I don't run my trains nearly as much as some clubs.  If they break they are easily replaceable. 

 

Enjoy the photos

 

In the last photo, the middle rail is so thin you can't even see it.

 

Rich

 

www.toytrainsontracks.com

 

 

 

Wow great photos rich and ted! Maybe if MTH gets these new batch of switches perfected and posiblely comes out with more pieces I may look into this over fastrack for my next layout.

I wish MTH would make a smaller footprint uncoupling track. Mike are you reading this!
Maybe some curved switches too!

What switch number did you use for the double cross over in the track plan? If I may ask. The track center spacing is wide as usual with this track type set up,but at least this is doable with scale tracks.only ross crossovers seem to have the best track mainline spacing to them.

Sorry if this sounds dumb but can you use scaletrax on a layout and run any and every type of train over it or does the model have to have those 'scale wheels' MTH offers?