Which S track system are scale or hirail?

Ken, welcome to the scale (hopefully!)

All the track you mentioned is hirail.

Scale equipment will run on SHS/MTH S-Trax, but is not fond of the switches.

Lionel FasTrack is compatible with S-Trax(with a small modification) and will also run scale equipment.  However, the switches haven't hit the streets released yet, so the ability to run scale on them is yet to be determined.

With 20" radius on the diverging route for both Lionel and SHS/MTH switches, they're really too sharp for scale equipment anyway.

For scale equipment, I would suggest a 27" radius as a bare minimum.

American Models also has a track system using larger rail, but once again, the switches are set up for hirail.  While I haven't done it, I'm told the switches could be modified by shimming the frog and guardrail for the scale flanges.

http://www.americanmodels.com/misc/track.html

Scale track is available from Tomalco and Scenery Unlimited.

Tomalco's website is down, but is available from Hoquat Hobbies:

http://www.hoquathobbies.com/T.../TomalcoTrack100.htm

Scenery Unlimited markets Shinohora track:

http://www.sceneryunlimited.ne...oducts/shinohara.php

My track is mostly Shinohora flex and switches, with a couple of discontinued Old Pullman switches thrown in.

Rusty

Rusty, thanks very much for the info.  Sounds like I will be running on hi-rail, with the hi-rail wheelsets.  Current plan is to use S-trax when re-released by MTH.

I'll install DCS.  I am looking forward to MTH putting sound and DCS in their S motive power.

Nice job on the trackwork!

Sounds like a plan, Ken.  Exactly the way the 3 rails scale guys do it, except there's no third rail to hide!

It can be done to good effect.  One of the most well known S Scaler's uses HiRail flanges and track (AM track in this case):

http://www.buffalocreekandgaul.../ModelRailroads.html

Rusty

Why wait for MTH??  The Lionel American Flyer Challengers are gEEEEAAAARRRR888888!!!!!

The AF challengers look great, but a bit pricy for me, since I am just getting into S (or planning to).  Lionel S-fastrack is not yet available in many variations and radius - not good for planning a layout.

I hope that MTH will do a starter set with something other than a switcher.  A F-unit would be fine, or a steamer of course.

My GUESS would be that MTH would offer a starter set with an F-unit, as most first-time folks would identify better with an F.  MTH's HO and O starter sets have F's as the primary diesel, so it would make sense to continue the tradition.

The only question I would have is that if the F would be "more basic" (elimination/simplifcation of some details) than the standard old SHS F unit in order to keep the price point lower.

We'll have to wait and see...

Rusty

It makes your head spin thinking about all the types of engines MTH make in O scale that could be down sized for S.  SHS had F unit starter sets as well as the switchers so why not offer both in starter sets? 

Greg

Thought I'd bump this older thread up, just to see what was currently out there in S scale track systems.

I keep kicking around the idea of getting back into S scale, and if I do I'd ideally like to be able to be able to run scale wheels and Flyer/hi-rail on the same track system. 

Jeff C

We built an S gauge layout at the mall. Since the MTH/SHS track was not available in quantities we needed, we mixed sections of it with fastrack. The layout is not finished yet, but the track rests on homsaote and is fastened to the homasote only, not through to the plywood table top.

The Lionel fastrack has one of the same problems that the O gauge fastrack does; namely, it's noisier than other brands of track.

The SHS/MTH track has separately cast ties, plus little triangular "feet" that touch the subroadbed and keep the plastic roadbed/ballast/ties from acting as a sounding board.

In my opinion, the flecked ballast looks better on the SHS/MTH than on fastrack, but that is secondary to the noise issue.

Thanks for all of the replies, guys. I haven't decided exactly what to do yet. It seems to me that there is STILL great potential for S scale to capture a greater percentage of the market.

Personally, I like the idea of being able to operate Hi-Rail/Flyer and scale trains on the same layout, and if at all possible, on the same track system. But even if the Hi-Rail trains have to have their own track, it is much less incongruous to see scale and Hi-Rail trackage side by side when compared to a similar situation in O scale, where the 3-Rail track stands out.

Jeff C

I also found that 20" radius is not sufficient for scale equipment when I built a 5-car articulated intermodal.  The corners of the adjacent cars touched around corners and caused derailments.  I also struggled to get my 53' single-well NSC car to go around and stay coupled.

I bought the 30" MTH S-trax and now I feel confident I can run any scale stuff, even massive modern auto-carriers.

I might just be tempted to hand lay track and build my own turnouts, if I could come up with a turnout that would work with scale and hi rail flanges. In that case, I would probably set my minimum curve radius at 28".

Jeff C

There was a forum participant here that boasted of his custom commercially available switches that WOULD accommodate both hi-rail/scale wheels.

Anyone remember who he was or his website?

If his claims are accurate, then that may be a possible avenue for those that want the best of both worlds.

Andre, You may be referring to Tom's Turnouts.  He designed his turnouts to match up to SHS/MTH flex track.  I'm not sure if he is taking orders now because of past rail unavailability, but I believe Tom has posted here before so maybe he will chime in.  If not, you can contact him at the link I posted.

Mike A.