type of tracks to use?

Trains.com Kids and model railroading
1

We are just starting our son out on his first model railroad set and I have noticed that there are several different styles and types of track. We have the black and silver(nickle), and I’ve noticed that we have some brass ones too. They seem to be compatible but I am wondering, is one better than the other? I have also seen the flex tracks. Are these compatible with the nickle tracks? Oh, we have the HO style and guage. I don’t know if that makes a difference or not. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Alexis

2

If the track is the same size, it should be compatible. Personally, I would stay away from brass track as I’ve been told it’s not as good of conductor as Nickel Silver, and the film formed on it doesn’t tend to be conductive. I like the look of Nickel Silver anyway.

You may need to watch closely. There are different heights of tracks, and sometimes there’s also different heights of ties underneath. A small difference can derail an entire train. (Especially with horn hook couplers! It’s worth the trouble to convert to knucle couplers even for a child!!!)

3

I would recommend Atlas True Trak or Bachmann E-Z track.

4

I recommend E-Z track, it is so easy to snap together, and there is no fussing with rail joint connecters.

5

i agree with train man. I use lifelike powerloc nickel silver and it works great. It looks quite realistic. But u have to clean it a lot. i dont know idf fyou have to do it quite as much with others.

6

We are just starting our son out on his first model railroad set and I have noticed that there are several different styles and types of track. We have the black and silver(nickle), and I’ve noticed that we have some brass ones too. They seem to be compatible but I am wondering, is one better than the other? I have also seen the flex tracks. Are these compatible with the nickle tracks? Oh, we have the HO style and guage. I don’t know if that makes a difference or not. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Alexis

7

If the track is the same size, it should be compatible. Personally, I would stay away from brass track as I’ve been told it’s not as good of conductor as Nickel Silver, and the film formed on it doesn’t tend to be conductive. I like the look of Nickel Silver anyway.

You may need to watch closely. There are different heights of tracks, and sometimes there’s also different heights of ties underneath. A small difference can derail an entire train. (Especially with horn hook couplers! It’s worth the trouble to convert to knucle couplers even for a child!!!)

8

I would recommend Atlas True Trak or Bachmann E-Z track.

9

I recommend E-Z track, it is so easy to snap together, and there is no fussing with rail joint connecters.

10

i agree with train man. I use lifelike powerloc nickel silver and it works great. It looks quite realistic. But u have to clean it a lot. i dont know idf fyou have to do it quite as much with others.