3railguy wrote:
For realism, tinplate Gargraves track combined with Ross or Gargraves switches if magnetraction is a concern. Atlas if magnetraction is not a concern. Atlas track is more expensive than Gargraves but Atlas switches are cheaper than Ross. Cork or cork like synthetic Roadbed is practical because it is pre-cut in strips and the edges are tapered for realistic ballasting. Synthetic roadbed won't become brittle like cork does.
Bending Gargraves without kinking it can be a challenge. One method is to cut radius templates out of plywood for various radi and bend the track around that. Where you have joints in the curve, solder the joints before bending for kink free joints.
The easiest track system to work with is Lionel Fastrack. It is not as realistic as above but looks good. Box stock, it is noisy but can be quieted by attatching carpet foam underneath. Fastrack is also very popular and just about everyone stocks it. It costs about what Atlas costs.
You can improve the looks of tubular by setting balsa wood ties under it. Tubular switches aren't the best preformers compared to above and the switch radi is limited. Tubular is the cheapest. Especially used.
THANK YOU 3RAILGUY.........I have been contemplating the choice of track (and switches) for my next layout. The correct decision for me has become less clear. I wrote in another post somewhere that for many of us with less practical experience or exposure to the array of choices, the choice of track can be flat out agonizing. Like the Sundance Kid said to Butch Cassidy about going to Bolivia, "I just don't want to get there and find out it stinks."
Realism. Cost. Noise. Ease of use. Ease of modification. Height. Conductivity between track pieces without solder. Curve radii. Functional compatibility with engine brands. Functional compatibility with scale. Functional compatibility with switches (with switches pros and cons). Functional compatibility with electronic systems. Pickup wear.
When one is about to embark on a layout from ground zero, I for one don't want to look back and say to myself that I did not take every factor into consideration, including the future. "Yes, I realize my track choice will do this well but that not as well. But I decided to pick my poison/compromise. And my decision was X, and I will live with the compromise with certain workarounds or outright acceptance that it is what it is." No second guessing. No mid course change of heart. Granted, every single choice has benefits and drawbacks, and what is best for me is not necessarily best for you.
Somewhere I found and then lost a writeup similar to yours where a matrix was developed to map the track choices with their pros and cons with some of the factors I listed above. I think it included photos of the various choices side by side.
1.) Does anyone know where I may have read the track comparison with the matrix?
2.) Can anyone post a picture of the tubular with the ties modified for realism?
Thanks,
Jack
