MTH FLEX TRACK

Hi Phil

The quality an variety of Ross switches make Gargraves and Ross a great combination.  There are differences with ScaleTrax.  How you judge those differences will depend on what you are looking for in a track system.

To answer you questions directly:

1.  ScaleTrax has true O scale ties that are smaller in height and width when compared to Gargraves.  Scaletrax rail is smaller too.  In fact, Scaletrax has the closest to scale rail of any 3 rail track system.  ScaleTrax rail is 0.193 inches tall.  The rail used in 2 rail O to model most contemporary rail is 0.148" tall and older O scale rail based on heavy duty PRR rail is 0.172" tall.  ScaleTrax also solid nickel silver outside rails and a thin darkened center rail.  Gargraves has hollow rail formed from sheet steel for all three rails.

2.  It can be mated up with Gargraves track but not without a little extra work.  The scale ties and lower rail height mean that ScaleTrax has a lower profile than Gargraves track.  You would have to shim ScaleTrax up match rail head height and then but the sections together.

3.  Ditto for Ross track.

4.  Ditto for Ross turnouts.

If you are interested in finding out more about ScaleTrax I recommend watching Rich Battista's videos on his Black Diamond RR. 

http://www.toytrainsontracks.com/

Check your OGR back issues for Run 251 from last summer for my brother Dave's article on tips and techniques for working with Scaletrax. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=WyrusjeqPAA

Dave has given clinics on working with Scaletrax at the MTH booth at the York TCA show.  If you are going to York keep an eye on the MTH clinic schedule.

Dave is building the Northwest Trunk Lines layout with ScaleTrax.  Since some track configurations are not commercially available with ScaleTrax Dave and I have hand laid some of the track in special areas with O scale wood ties and ScaleTrax rail.  That sspecial track work includes the NWTLs Gold Spike section....

as well as inspection pits, bridges and 10 curved trunouts built with Ross frogs to Ross patterns. 

There is also a dual gauge 3 rail O/2 rail On30 siding laid with code 148 rail that transitions back to ScaleTrax.

There is a lot to like about Scaletrax, especially if you want to use flex track.  ScaleTrax flex track is the most flexible 3 rail O track available and techniques used in 2 rail O and HO work well with it.  Keep an eye out for updates to the thread on the NWTL.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/d...5514336616285/page/1

Why depart from the collective wisdom of GG/Ross? If it is just appearance, you should be ready to do some work on the switches. We used Scaletrax on our club's modular layout an encountered problems with the switches, primarily with shorting across the frogs, ironically mostly with MTH diesels. I think if we had our time over we would have used something else.

Thanks to both of you.  Ted:  I shall look further into it, per your suggestions. Dave:  I would only use Flex-Scaletrack on new, long, curved runs, not with MTH switches.....And would need to mate it with GG. 

I wonder if any of the 3 make special 'mating pins', as does GG for Lionel tubular.....

Ted:  I tried. No luck, @ http://www.toytrainsontracks.com/

"trouble loading page."

Phil,

   In short, I have used both Gargraves and ScaleTrax extensively, and ScaleTrax wins hands down.  Gargraves flex is difficult to bend.  It kinks, and the ties shift which  means you have to adjust each one to keep the spacing after you manage to bend it.  It takes a long time to bend, and after several pieces your hands will start to hurt.  You can bend scaleTrax with a couple of fingers and the resulting curves are smooth without kinks as you see in the photo below.

  My original set of ScaleTrax (and switches) from 2004 still work flawlessly.  The second batch the switches do have problems.  I believe the difference is from changing manufacturers.  As mentioned the frogs short.  I will not make light of it, it is a problem and I don't like it and they should fix it.  But its not like you need to remove and rebuild the switch.  You need to slide or nudge a rail from touching the other, put a drop of glue in the gap and your done.  Thats not enough justification in my opinion to give up all it other advantages.  The switches operation and switch machines work great and I have never had any problems with them. 

  There is nothing wrong with Gargraves/Ross.  The wooden ties are a big plus and switches work well.  I chose ScaleTrax because I wanted the most realistic looking scale track available.  To me, the low profile rails makes a big difference when creating realistic photographs and video which is a big part of my hobby.  The only thing better would be 2-rail.  

  I'm not sure why you had trouble loading the website.  The link is correct and worked for me.  I wonder if anyone else is having trouble???

Rich

www.toytrainsontracks.com

I'm a 'visual guy' so the overall (to me) superior appearance of ScaleTrax as mentioned by 'the Masters' above far outweighs any of the problems of the track system. Gargraves is just too tall and the ties are oversized to look realistic with our scale locomotives. ScaleTrax adds to the illusion of massiveness for our models.

Rich:  Thanx A LOT for this info.  Some reactions:
1.  It's my turtle-slow satellite connection up here in the Oregon forest that was the problem.  All I need is lots of patience!
2.  The article in OGR Run 251 by Dave Hikel , tells us to start by actually DISASSSEMBLING the track B 4 bending!  You seemed to imply that this is unnecessary....Help!
3.  I presume, but do not yet know, that the MTH track uses plastic ties....True?
4.  I'm familiar with the difficulty in bending GG track, and your comment, "wins hands down"  is very compelling!!

Sam:  Your comments are also quite helpful....I'm being persuaded....

CSam,

   Good point, the engines do look more massive with the smaller rails.

Phil,

1.  The slow connection is worse with my website because of the large number of photographs.  Its worth the wait

2.  It may easier to bend for tighter curves, but You don't need to disassemble to bend it for normal curves.  I just bent O-45 curves without disassembling.  You do have to overbend it to get it to stay for tight curves like O-45.  Overbending that much runs the risk of breaking the ties.  I was able to do it without breaking it.  Taking it apart prevents breaking the ties.  The curves in the photos are larger and can easily be done without disassembling.  I've attached an unedited clip from my video showing two pieces put together and how easily they bend.  These were used to create an ~O-95 curves.

3.  Yes, MTH uses plastic ties.  Because plastic ties are softer and more flexible, they absorb sound better.  ScaleTrax and Atlas track (plastic also) is very quiet. 

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Rich

My Dad and I had the very same debate when planning the 26 x 17 layout at his house. We went with GG simply because the MTH Scaletrax is very limited as far as what they offer in turnouts, and they sound like they can be somewhat troublesome.

We are using GG woodties prebent curves with the 37" flex for straights and Ros switches. It is taller, but can be done to look just as good with a little time. Noise is not an issue after putting the GG on homasote.

Here's a few pix of the GG/Ross track work on my switching layout.

Rich:  Very convincing video...Thanx a lot!  I'm quickly becoming a convert.

My layout rebuild is Scaletrax, the Flex track is like a wet noodle compared to everything else.

and I love the Low profile rails.

I own both of Rich's Videos, You'll want them too.

They are nice to just sit and watch from time to time, even if you skip the tutorials.

All of the 'other' track systems use three RAILS - black or otherwise. ScaleTrax uses a thin blade that really appears less obtrusive visually. Remember Lionel's Super O track with its copper strip down the middle?  Very similar.  Big difference...