First experience with S traxs.

No need to get rid of your S Fastrack, it's compatible with S-Trax with a little modification. 

Fastrack/S-Trax Tread 

(Man, I can't believe I wrote this 3 years ago already...)

Rusty

"I have over the years found some of the nice cars I have been looking for, but will never have the selection to choose from I would have had had I rekindled my interest in trains 5 years earlier"  

     Almost everything that's been made shows up on ebay eventually and keep in mind SHS didn't keep all that stuff in stock at the same time so one couldn't just go out and buy it when they wanted. My approach to getting S stuff is get what I can and enjoy it and don't worry about what I can't get. I've already got plenty enough to keep me busy. If you are serious about S scale I'd suggest using flextrack instead of sectional track as it's cheaper and easier to design a layout for and once you learn how to build turnouts you are not at the mercy of what MTH or Lionel decides to offer...DaveB 

Dave 

While I don't have a permanent layout yet I do have a nice little stockpile of AM flex track and turnouts.  I have been using the fastrack as a way to quickly set up and take down ovals of track for short periods.  Having a layout that is planned to be Legacy based the command switches are an attractive feature, along with uncoupling and activation sections of track and this has made me reconsider the restrictions of defined footprint track.  I was really disappointed with the cancelation of the gate crossing with lights.  

I have not yet decided on what to commit to, the post was just a comment on how nice s helpers stuff is/was.  And many of the pieces I would like to get sell for more now than they did when they were new and available. Some of the prices on ebay are crazy. 

Ben

There's also American Models track, particularly if you're sticking with Flyer-type wheels.  Granted it doesn't have built-in roadbed, but it's pretty stout track.

Rusty

"many of the pieces I would like to get sell for more now than they did when they were new and available. Some of the prices on ebay are crazy"

   Yeah, I just don't pay them and wait for something reasonably priced to show up. None of this stuff is a necessity so I can do without the high priced items. I think the price structure is messed up due to the manufacturers offering little new stuff for the last few years. High prices should bring in more manufacturers and eventually better prices....DaveB

I like the story and your insight.

• Cheers from Michigan

I just got into S scale about a year ago.  I can not say enough good things about SHS/MTH S Trax.  I have a few pieces of AF Fast Track and AM track.  They are ok, the AF track seems to be of less quality.

Ultimately, a person has to decide between hi-rail OR scale.  For high rail I would recommend SHS/MTH but AM track is quite good.  daveb is right, flex is the way to go if you are building a permanent layout.  I don't have a much space and have a mix of scale and hi rail locos and rolling stock, so for now..S-Trax is it.

The MTH S-TRAX Tie Spacing is more close together like what is used in Mainline Tracks and the American Flyer Spacing is farther apart like a Sideline Track and each types Ballast are different colors, so they could be used together for a nice effect.

Our club is planning a very small S layout. We have some donated trains and track but as above, the track is the question. 

How is Gargraves S track? When the Lionel catalog says minimum curve S-36, are we talking diameter here?

Mark, thank you for the insights. Ours will be a permanent layout and the diameter should be doable.