APPENDIX 3:  TRACK SELECTION

 

 

Track to stay away from:

 

• Precision Scale:  Out of gauge, does not work with semi-find scale (0.088”) wheels.  I would also add that the track is also very poorly made and very unattractive.

 

Track that I'm not familiar with:

• Peco:  There are many that consider Peco track to be the best available.  I'm unable to comment because I haven't ever seen it in person.

Flex track that has been flawless on modules when laid well has been:

 

• Walthers/Shinohara:  Flex track, code 83 and code 70
• Micro Engineering:  Flex track, code 83 only
• Atlas:  Flex track, code 83.
• Central Valley track is a craftsman kit that requires careful assembly.  Because the rail is glued to the ties, the track is susceptible to extreme differences in temperature which may result in detaching of the rail from the ties due to expansion of the rails and weakening of the glue bond at high temperatures.  Keep Central Valley trackwork out of direct sun to avoid loosening of the rails.

 

Turnouts

 

• Available turnout sizes are a more complicated story.  The turnout sizes presently available are:

 

• Atlas:  Wye, #4, 6, 8

• Walthers/Shinohara:  #5, 6, 8, 10

• Micro Engineering:  #6

• Fast Tracks:  #4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and many other turnouts, etc.

• Central Valley:  #5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 

• Central Valley turnouts are craftsman kits that require very careful assembly.  When used with Detail Associates frog castings, the appearance of Central Valley turnouts can be very good.  Care must be taken to make sure that rail alignment (height and side-to-side) is perfect.  Switch rails can be somewhat loose unless fine stabilizing wire is soldered across the outside joint of the closure rail and the switch rail.  Switch rail points need to be carefully dressed so that they nestle right against the running rails.  When done well, the resulting track can be good looking.
• Fast Tracks turnouts are also craftsman kits that require very careful assembly.  They are economical only if a number of the same size turnout are required.  They appear to be extremely smooth running, the best of any I've seen.  At least one modeler has combined Central Valley turnout tie strips with rail prepared using Fast Track tools.
• Atlas produces DCC friendly turnouts that are better looking than earlier versions.
• Micro Engineering turnouts are good looking but limited in turnout size.  In a few instances, they have proved to be a bit fragile.
• Old Walthers and all Shinohara turnouts require modification to make them DCC friendly.  Unfortunately, the newer DCC friendly Walthers turnouts are not as good looking as they could have been.  While I use these turnouts because I appreciate their robustness, I replace the throwbar and spread the switch rails a bit to reduce the "shark jaw" appearance.  I also fill the frogs so that dropping of wheels is minimized.  The very small jumpers on the bottom of the turnout are fragile and should not be depended upon.  Careful inspection with a NMRA Mark IV gauge is required.

 

Careful attention to right of way details and a good ballast job certainly help to “make” a module.  I use Walthers and Shinohara flex track, Arizona Rock and Mineral ballast and airbrushing to adjust the appearance of "everything".  I have often been asked at shows if my track is hand laid.  I think this indicates that a good job of installing, ballasting and painting/weathering the track makes it very hard to determine what track is used.