Newbie looking for some advise. I'm looking to put a layout together and am wondering what the best track to use is. I have Bachman E-Z track but am curious about the quality of Kato and LifeLike snap tracks.
Posted by alkcnw (Member # 1293) on :
I basicly use either Atlas or Walthers flex track and turnouts. To me the snap tracks are all to phoney looking!!
------------------ ANDY K. Camp Douglas Wi.
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
I have used modular roadbed track several times. Both brands you list are of high quality. However for a permanant instilation I reccomend track made by atals in Code 83
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
More serious modelers may cringe at this, but I have used Life-Like Power Loc track exclusively, and I really like it. But I have never done a realistic looking layout.
It works really well under Christmas trees, around the floor, etc. It can be set up and taken down very quickly, while it holds together extremely well, even on soft surfaces. I especially like the fact that it doesn't require those obnoxious little joiners.
It does have a few limitations, though. Power terminals are only available on the 18" radius curves, so if you want to do an oval with 22" curves you have to improvise an electrical connection. I have no idea why in-duh-viduals who designed it don't offer a straight terminal track. I also think the wires for the switches are much too short.
If you don't like the look of the roadbed, you can either paint it earth tones or hide it under ballast. The steel track has black roadbed while the nickel silver is grey. The latter might look good washed with a coat of diluted brown paint to highlight the texture and make it more earthy. Take a piece and Experiment.
I've never tried Bachmann's EZ track, so I can't comment there.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
If you need power to your track, you can always just buy a pair of feeder wires, which is rail joiners with wires attached to them. They have a much more realistic appearance than regular terminals, too.
Posted by Kennedy Model Trains (Member # 808) on :
Actually, I don't think you can use terminal rail joiners with some of these modular track setups. Some of the roadbeds have a seperate track, so it would be possible to cut a spot in the tie strip, and drill a hole in the roadbed, to allow you to solder a wire to the underside of the rail.