which one would you choose?
I would love to use flex track but because of a medical problem I just can’t do it. So track with roadbed attached seems like a great way to go For me. I did not mention Kato because of cost but I am thinking about it.
Check Model Train Stuff pices on Kato Unit track, it’s not too bad, but turnouts are of course pricey… depends on how many you need I guess of turnouts but the regular sectional Kato unitrack curves and straights aren’t crazy expensive…
EZ Track has a much, much wider range of turnouts and curve radiuses than True-Track, from a cursory examination of both product lists.
Kato Unitrack has curve radii ranging from 19 thru 31 inches, which is pretty flexible for sectional track with a base, and I found the cost to be pretty reasonable - for example, a package of four 28-inch radius curve tracks is 11 dollars. Four packages for a circle I think.
The Bachmann EZ-Track has a much wider selection of sizes and shapes. I have a test oval of 33.5" radius EZ-Track I use for a test loop. I am not thrilled with what I hear of the performance of the turnouts though. Search this forum for some posts by Space Mouse and his trials and tribulations with them.
Is there some specific reason you are looking only at the type track mounted on plastic roadbed?
Hi David
My opinion on this will have the cat amongst the pigeons
My answer is none of the above.
The very thing that seems to attract you to it is what turns me off it.
I use a reputable brand of sleepered track siting on cork under lay track is then ballasted in my case with cinders my next layout will be the same but with a mure traditional stone looking ballast.
The track you mention as far as I am concerend is toy track for floor use, note floor use is a thing we generaly don’t recomend
if you must go for toy track then at least go for the Kato toy track it is very good quality and at least has a ballast pattern moulded in to it like all set tracks you will be limited by the manufacturers geomitory.
I see you have issuies where flex track is concerend would you be able to do Atlas code 83 snap track the sleepered type that needs ballasting the finish when done properly would be far better than that yuk plastic base.
Which ever way you go with track make sure you get a quality product and carefully lay it don’t short cut on track locomotives or the railway bench work
If need be pay the extra for the quality in those areas the fun dividend you recieve later with reliabilaty and less problems is worth it no matter how big or small the MRR project is.
regards John
Translation … “sleepered track” to folks in the US, that is just basically railroad track. Being married to a Brit, I have learned that Brits, and their cousins in Australia call ties = sleeper.
John, the original poster mentioned he has a medical problem so working with flex track and the tools that are required to trim itand all the intracacies of laying it etc. may be difficult for him, which is why he is requesting recommendations about “toy” track as you call it, or modular track with a base. So shooo cat, shooo!
Hi David ,
I can really understand medical conditions having had brain surgery. EZ track is cheaper but can suffer from problems. EZ track can be found at some Hobby Lobby store’s so you can you can take advantage of their weekly 40% coupon. HL doesn’t carry the full line.
Atlas tru track is a better product but can be hard to find available product.
In life you get what you pay for. I would go with Kato Unitrack. More expensive yes but you’ll save yourself a lot of aggravation. As already mentioned, shopping around online can find the product cheaper. You can build your layout in stages as you can afford track.
As a previous poster mentioned look for posts from Spacemouse on the subject to learn more about his experiences with this type of track.
Good luck and let us know how you make out
Derek
Jeff Wimberly used ez track and he always warned others about switch issues. I would go with the Kato or atlas.
In 2007 I built a small 4x8 layout using TruTrack. I tore it all out after a year and put down a new layout using Kato track. I had a lot of problems with the TruTrack turnouts. My FIL also built a layout with TruTrack and I found in both cases that you have to be very careful putting the sections together and they don’t fit all that well.
Kato track fits together easily and well. The turnouts also are great. I haven’t had a problem with it since it went down in 2007. Be aware that there are differences in the #4 manual vs. electric turnouts. I use both as well as the #6. All can be made DCC friendly or should you use DC they can be set for power routing.
CN Charlie
Thanks guys for your help and suggestions. As far as my medical problem is that I have onset Parkinson’s which prevents me from doing fine work. Although getting it in my 60’s it most likely it will not get worse, I hope.
Also after looking around and reading allot of testimonials of all track systems I decided to go with Kato unitrack.
Yes not the most realistic but for me it is the best choice, I would love to use flex track or even hand lay it like I did some years ago with my “n” scale layout. So I have to compromise, a layout or no lay out. I’m really excited about getting started so wish me luck, hope to keep everybody informed of my progress.
Thanks again,
Dave
Dave, while maybe not as realistic as some other track, the HO KATO unitrack is code 83 so the rail is finer than some of the older HO code 100 track. Also, if you decide to paint it, that can improve the look for better realism.
Check out modeltrainstuff.com, as they do have about as good of prices as you can probably find. Thats where I got my Kato unit track which I used as test track before starting on my layout. I was pleased with it. I just got an oval with 28 inch radius curves.
Hi David
In adition to the use of Kato track it may be worh geting one of those
railing ramp’s to assist in puting the trains on the track
I believe Kato do those as well and it will then match there track.
Please do keep us informed as to how the project goes.
If you have them and they are old enough draft in the grand childeren to help
they would love it.
regards John
Kato does offer the retailer ramp. I picked one of those up from Kleins to. Should be a big help!