I just recently purchased a bachmann starter set and was wondering if the steel-alloy track would be safe for outside use. If not, would it be better for me to go with lgb track instead? Please help!
Welcome to Large scale!
There have been several questions like your’s!
Check the past post’s!
Also go to myLargescale.comForums and check there pas post’s!
Hi Jay.
The Bachmann rail is not suitable for outdoor use, it rusts very quickly and therefore loses its electrical conductivity. For outdoor use you need to check out Aristo, Llagas and other track suppliers, especially those who make brass or stainless steel track… Whole bunches of ads in GR mag, well worth doing some homework.
At the risk of upsetting the good folks here at Garden Railways can I suggest that you take your newbie questions to the specific LargeScale sites, especially http://www.mylargescale.com and http://www.largescalecentral.com
To smcgill, please lose the exclamation key. It’s nearly as annoying as PRINTING EVERYTHING IN CAPS
Might I also suggest picking up a copy of the June 2001 issue? We ran a “buyer’s guide to track,” listing the choices and availability of products from large-scale manufacturers.
Hello Jay, welcome to the forum
If you can afford LGB then go for it! Its one of the best tracks out there. But I would suggest using AristoCraft and USA track for straights and curved sections, and LGB switches as they have the least problems with stalls and derailments. First off figure out just how big a layout you are planning?
Once you have a layout plan established buy the longest straight sections you can, 3 or 5 footers, as they are the most cost effective. Also plan the widest diameter curves on your layout, not less than 6 foot diameter, 8 foot preferrable as most new larger engines and cars need the bigger turns.
If your space doesnt allow for these bigger curves then dont be put off using the standard 4 foot diameter or 5 foot diameter curves and switches, i have a small layout only 8 1/2’ x 20’ and I only use 4 foot diameter curves, I just can’t run larger engines, but as I like small industrial types more, it works for me.
Oh, forgot to add, the powerpack that your basic set comes with is OK to start but its very small, only .5 amps, and will only work for a smaller loop maybe 10’ x 15’ before voltage drop will slow your train at the far end of the loop, you can augment it with a second set of power supply wires from the pack to the far end of the layout. But I would recommend looking for a new powerpack, LGB basic pack (what I use, with an Aristo Basic Train Engineer RC control ) is 1 amp and good for most layouts around 15’ x 25’ , larger than this and a larger pack is needed, 5 amps should cover almost anything, a 10 amp pack will cover absolutely ebverything. Most will tell you that the bigger, the better, and they are right. Just remember that bigger, is also pricier.
Everybody, thank you so much. I appreciate the help. Would anyone be interested in my old Bachmann track so I can buy new LGB or Aristo track?
Ummm…no.
It was worth the try…[:)]
Vic,
Be nice. Just buggin’ ya’. JAY: you can sell off the track on ebay. Someone will buy it. Not worth a lot but it will sell. Welcome to the forum! Later eh…Brian.
Jay,
keep the track, use it to display your models when they aren’t running. I use B/mann track around the Xmas tree, also a short length as a test track
I plan to “mount” my Bachmann track as an indoor or portable set for when I “run around.”