Which tracks to start layout?

Brian:

It sounds like you are just starting out and not sure what's out there wrt track. I would suggest the following:

1. If you are in a hurry to set up something go with one of the least expensive tracks such as Lionel tubular while at the same time -

2. Buy the book 'Trackwork for Toy Trains' by Peter H. Riddle  (Kalmbach Publishing). It will give you a very good tutitorial on the various tracks offered for sale.

Joe

Boy did you just open up a can of worms.

Do a search on this site and you will be reading for

days.

It's really a matter of your talent and the look you want.

Fast track is a no brainer and looks decent.

Gargraves and Atlas look nicer but you will want to spend more

time on the roadbed and ballasting.

 

 If you are in no hurry, go to a train show and look at some of the

 modular layouts and see what you like and talk to some of the

 club members and get a feel for the system that might best suit you...

 

 

Here are a few other things that might be worth considering to help you with your decision...

 

• How important is cost?  Of the many options available, some are a lot more expensive than others.  Pay attention to the cost of switches but also "special" pieces like operating and uncoupling tracks.  The cost of these add up in a hurry.
• What do you already have (and how much)?  What are the things you like about it?  What are the things you don't?  While there is no reason to be stuck with what you already have, it can be hard to buy something different.
• Take a break, set up a simple loop and run what you have.  It can help keep you motivated.
• If you find something you like, shop for prices.  I use FasTrack and have found that I need to keep tabs on who has what prices.  (They change.)  Also don't be fooled by MSRP.  Many dealers discount it by at least 25%.
• Think both "short term" AND "long term".  I'm using FasTrack on my current layout because I am still experimenting and want the ability to try different configurations easily.  In the short term, I want flexibility.  Long term, what looks the most realistic and has the best performance will be more important when I build a permanent layout.

Good luck!

This is also a great place to find some deals on used track...

Thanks guys. Train shows are hard to come by where I'm at. I want to start small but permanent expandable layout that I have been reading in magazines. I want my tracks consistent as ad more additions. And for hobby shops. The train store I went that was some what close to me. Well let's say it was an unpleasant visit.

I'm sorry to hear your visit to your LHS was unpleasant.  Once you settle on a type of track, you can shop for prices and mail order it.  It is harder to pick up a couple of pieces at a time that way but you can still save money when you get your track.

 

If you end up with FasTrack, I can help you find good deals.  That is what I am using.

I use only Fastrack for my layout. I did use MTH's Realtrak but I didn't like it as much as the Lionel Fastrack. 

 

The Fastrack while a little more expensive is really easy to put together and really durable. Also, with good scenery techniques you can make Fastrack look realistic. 

 

Hope this helps!

 

Brain;

 

How about telling us where you live?  There are probably quite a few forum members who relatively close to you.  Perhaps, you arrange to visit a couple of them to see their layouts and what type of track they use.  They can also probably give you the location of several hobby shops within a couple hours driving time that would be well worth the trip.

For starters, I would suggest getting a Fastrack track pack that makes a loop.  Add a CW-80 transformer and you are in business.  Since the Fastrack has a roadbed underneath it, it is great for setting up on the floor as well.  And it is readily available.  You can be running trains in 15 minutes.  Have fun.

Brian,

I'll second Joe Fauty's suggestions. Try to keep it simple at this stage. Lionel's tube track has been around all these years for a reason. Have fun and keep us posted.

This is a good idea.  I have learned alot from visiting other people's layouts.

I live in southern Maine. I know, you think I would have more options on train shops, but nope.

Where in maine.? I live in falmouth. maybe I can help you.

There is nothing wrong with mail ordering what you need once you figure out what that is.

 

Did the Thomas set come with FasTrack and a transformer?  It sounds like you already have both tubular and FasTrack and at least one transformer.  Is this correct?  Do you like the tubular track?  If you have FasTrack, do you like it?

Eddie, I live in Biddeford. I've been to Ray and Robins on gray rd. Not much selection I thought, I could go look again. But nobody talked to me, felt very uncomfortable. Then went to Rainy day trains in Saco. Oh my god, that place was dark, dirty. Looked like he just cleaned out his garage. Plus the guy was in pleasant. Maybe cuz I had my baby girl with me....I don't know. Both times was a bust. Gandolf: Don't have Thomas set yet. But she loves the show and she plays with her cousins wooden Thomas set.

Ok, you're talking about the wooden one.  The reason I asked is because I just got through giving a couple of the Lionel ones to my nephews.  Those sets come with FasTrack and an additional transformer so if you had one, you would already have some FasTrack to try.

 

What kind of track do you think you would like?  Is realistic track more important than cost?  Is it important to have sectional track?  Is cost an overriding factor?  If I can get some kind of idea what features you're looking for, I can help you better.

 

There was an article in one of the magazines that compared the various O-gauge track and gave some pros and cons of each.  If you are handy with google, maybe you can do a search for "track comparison guide" or something similar.  I don't have the article handy.

Plan A- purchase the set Gandalf97 recommends-with the 3 Ts you are after:
Train
Track
Transformer

Plan B- purchase the 3 Ts seperately as needed.  Fastrack is a great way to start trackwise. 

Set it up on the floor and go from there.

Just so you know...  that Thomas set is available if you shop around for about $149 (plus shipping).

 

My thoughts are to always consider the following when making track decisions:

1) what do you want to run?  Some engines/cars run great on O-31, some on O-36, some on O-42, some on O-54, and lastly some on O-72 curves.

2) what are your planned needs for switches, cross-overs, or special tracks?  The availability (on limitation) of some of these may affect your choices on what to consider.

 

Tubular is by far the cheapest, but limits you to O-31 curves.  If you want something else, price the switches and track of different manufacturers before you buy anything.  You might be pleasantly suprised at the price when compared to other tracks.

 

One nice thing about Lionel Fastrack is that there always seems to be a market for it.  So if you used it now just to get up and running, you could always sell it if you changed your mind for something else.

 

Jim 

I would go Eric's route.  You want opinions, that's mine.  

I forgot the 4th T-  Thomas Train 

If you are interested in a Thomas set, you might also consider the new Lionel version that is scheduled to be released next month (shipping schedules often are delayed and revised).

 

Thomas and Friends Set

 

It has a new easy to use remote control system.

This isn't true.  I still have my Lionel O-72 tubular curves.  I bought enough for a complete circle which I made into an oval by adding 4 or 6 40-inch straights.  I never bought the O72 switches but they were and are readily available.  In addition to the O72 curves there were also O42 and O54.

 

If you are going for a tighter curve than O31 (which is also available in FasTrack) O27 is also available.

 

As Jim noted though, you do need to consider what kind of equipment you want to run but to me that is more a function of how tight the curves are than of what brand of track I want to use.

Brian,

 

I was in HO for over 30 years, switched to O-Gauge and built my first "O" layout four years ago. I knew I would be moving soon, so that layout was to learn about O-Gauge. I used Fastrack, and it was great. I highly recommend it.

 

Now I am building my permanent layout (I am 66) and I am using Atlas track because I like how it looks.

 

By the way, I have bought all the track and engines online. Ditto for most of the cars and for a lot of accessories.

 

Good luck!

 

Alex