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"Kato HO Unitrack is very prototypical from a standpoint of rail height, but Kato N scale Unitrack is very oversize (but extremely reliable)."

 

   Yeah,the smaller the scale the more tolerable oversize rail becomes. Even oversize N rail looks pretty tiny.  S scale flanges are proportionally smaller than HO flanges so an S unitrack system using code 100 rail would be quite nice in appearance and operation. The actual size of rail doesn't matter as much as the attitude that one is using as close to prototype appearance as possible for the chosen scale while still maintaining reasonable operational ease. ...DaveB 

Originally Posted by daveb:

"Kato HO Unitrack is very prototypical from a standpoint of rail height, but Kato N scale Unitrack is very oversize (but extremely reliable)."

 

   Yeah,the smaller the scale the more tolerable oversize rail becomes. Even oversize N rail looks pretty tiny.  S scale flanges are proportionally smaller than HO flanges so an S unitrack system using code 100 rail would be quite nice in appearance and operation. The actual size of rail doesn't matter as much as the attitude that one is using as close to prototype appearance as possible for the chosen scale while still maintaining reasonable operational ease. ...DaveB 

Oh don't worry--I've been known to have my share of attitude...

 

Jeff C

Wow...

 

Three pages and the talk has now drifted about having something similar to Kato Unitrack in S.   Well, S Helper Service/MTH S-Trax is (drum roll, please..) practically just like Kato's Unitrack.

 

As I recall, SHS chose code 125 rail for two reasons.  1) You could run Scale or most if not all Flyer wheeled equipment on it and 2) It represented the Pennsy's 155# track specification of the 1950's.  So, it is in effect, scale size rail.

 

Also, from what I remember, the rail joiners were going originally to be separate, like Kato's, but Kato put a stop to it (patent infringement.)  So, the rail joiners became part of the roadbed, satisfying Kato.

 

The early turnouts were not real friendly to scale wheels on the diverging route, but the redesigned ones are.

 

And, in what has to be the surprise of the century, Lionel actually designed their S Fastrack with the same size rail, roadbed height and half tie on the ends, making it compatible (with minor modification) with S-Trax. 

 

Dogs and cats living together...

Track 031812 06r

Track 031812 07r

 

In other words, there are now two (mostly) compatible "instant" track systems, perfect for the theoretical 6-year old's starter set, so I don't think there's going to be a third molded ballast system with code 100 or 113 rail.

 

Frankly, I don't see a market for code 100 or 113 molded ballast track.

 

What's really lacking with both systems is turnouts.  There's only one size turnout (R20 compatible) for both and Lionel's hasn't even shown up yet. 

 

I know SHS was working on a #5, but what really needs to happen for the molded ballast systems is turnouts that would blend with the R25 and R29 curves to maintain the geometry, just like their O gauge counterparts.

 

Rusty

 

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  • Track  031812 06r
  • Track  031812 07r

I am one who really enjoys "S" gauge, scale, high rail, tin plate, Gilbert American Flyer, and Flyonel. I like running what I have on Gilbert track and Gilbert roadbed. I guess it is time to go play with my trains and work on my layout and stop following this thread.

To much hash and rehash. Enjoy what you have and what you do, to great a hobby to not enjoy for the relaxation and fun of what it does for you and me.

Ray

Originally Posted by Tom Stoltz:

As I recall, SHS chose code 125 rail for two reasons.

 

SHS rail is .138”.  You might find some at .1375”, but never .125”

 

I have attached a copy of part of SHS's rail design,

 

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Your right, I remember now measuring it when I compared S-Trax with Fastrack.  I pulled the incorrect info from one of SHS's catalogs this morning...

 

SHS Cat 2005 001

Rusty

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  • SHS Cat 2005 001
Last edited by Rusty Traque

"Frankly, I don't see a market for code 100 or 113 molded ballast track."

 

   I don't either. The S "unitrack" is equivalent to what the other popular scales have and can be a stepping stone to flextrack for those who stay in the hobby. All we really need is more product at competitive prices so new comers to the hobby can consider S scale on equal footing to HO or O scales. Being in the sweet spot for size is not being exploited like it could........DaveB

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