not sure if i’m going with lionels tmcc or mths dcs. looking for help deciding on what track will work for either. not a fan of pre-made plastic ballasted track
Hi Minwin24,
Welcome to the CTT forum,
I believe all the track made today will work fine with either system. If you buy track with a blacken center rail, you may have to remove the black from the top of the center rail.
I personal use 027 tube track. A lot of it out there, new and used, at a very reasonable price.
tom
I am using TMCC with Gargraves track and Ross switches. I have had excellent results with no problems at all. I even have the switches running through the TMCC remote. I am able to run one switch at a time or set a route where all switches in a route are set with one push of a button. You can also run more than one train off the remote just by seeting in a code for each engine.
I really like the TMCC but I’m sure you will get positive and negative opinions on both systems. It also is going to depend on what manufacturers you like. If at all possible, find a train store where one or both of the systems are in use and try them.
Good luck in making a decision.
Tom
Thanks for the opions. John
As far as using command controll, your only concern would be the track’s electrical conductivity, which is good on most track brands.
CTT reviewed the 9 most popular brands of track in the Oct. 2004 issue page#66.
That article reviewed an overwhelming array of track attributes for things such as traction, magna-traction, elect. conductivity, and many other important things.
I highly recomend getting that issue, by calling up Kalmbach pub.
It’s all good, go with YOU like but go slow. I would go to the hobby shop and line up a least 4-6 tracks and start eliminating them. It really is a tough call.
Jon
Jon above has a wonderful layout with pre-ballasted track. So does Buckeye. They just added more ballast. Both look outstanding.
All the track types have small minuses and plusses, but what it really boils down to is what you can afford to spend on track. The track article in CTT is well worth looking at as Wabash mentioned.
I like 027 track myself. As mentioned by Spanky, it’s the most affordable of anything new or used. It’s widely available and in several diameters (27", 42" 53") if you wi***o run larger locos and cars. The 027 turnouts by Lionel are the real downside of 027 track. The electic ones are not wired for auxiliary power, but can be made to operate that way with some effort. The new and improved K-Line 027 turnouts are well worth considering over the Lionel ones. Or using older postwar Lionel ones. You might also keep your eyes open for the odd ball MARX 027 curves made in a 34" diameter.
Standard tubular 0 is also widely available, but somewhat more expensive, especially the turnouts. But the older Lionel 0 turnouts are rugged, well made and can be found used.
Gargraves is probably the most affordable of the so-called “more realistic” track types. The Gargraves turnouts got a redesign a few years ago and are reportedly much better than their previous ones. Gargraves is also the same height as 027 track and mating pins are available. And Gargraves has steadily added more track types, making improvements along the way.
If you have the money to spend, there’s no arguement that Curtis track and turnouts are the very best. Curtis makes the unquestionable best selection of turnout styles… no one else comes close in turnout variety. A close second here on track is the Atlas 0. Atlas beat Lionel to the punch here with their new track - many have hoped Lionel would reintroduce Super 0 track. The flat rail surface works well with the newer traction tire type engines.
Of course there’s also the K-Line Super Snap track which is the same height as regular tubular 0.
Again, it really comes down to what kind of trains you will run (larger more scale type or tra
I have to agree with Brianl 027. If I were to ever redo my layout it would be with gargraves track.
The one good thing about 027 is it limits how large of an engine (and how much you will spend) you can run.
If you click on the web icon below you can see my 027 layout and I do use the new K-Line switches
tom
WOW!!! Thanks everyone for the info. I guess it’s going to depend on my wallet after all. The lines of loyalty are sure starting to blurr for me, what with everything being made overseas and all. But it’s sure nice to know this forum is there with good people willing to help out. John
John, just as a note on production location, Gargraves track is still made in the good ol’ USA right here in NYS outside of Rochester. If I’m not mistaken, I believe Curtis is also made in the USA.
You can also look for good condition used Lionel or MARX track which will all have been American made. I know Lionel’s track production was overseas long before the Michigan plant closed and went to China. I’m not positive here, but probably some of the MPC period track (in red and white boxes) was made in the USA and then later in Hong Kong.
You can tell the postwar US made Lionel 027 track by looking at the metal ties: the older American made track will not have the upward curve bent into the edges of the ties. The bend was done for safety reasons, to help prevent cuts on the hands of customers.