RoyBoy posted:Personally, they are not worth buying in my opinion, unless you want one for display. Two feet of track is not enough to see how a loco with track around curves and with a loaded train.
Some track, a transformer, some jumper wires and some rollers are really all you need. And that list takes up much less bench space.
It's just my opinion, but I value it highly.
My test bench has four loops and scenery 😁 I gave up on using a test track , even when it was "right there; no walk". The loops are the real test anyhow.
As long as track runs close to the transformer I'm good 😉 ..though two lines being down for maintenance is the norm.
I haven't had any trains that actually required rollers to run upright/stationary so a cradle and running jump clips is my norm for any stationary motor running.
I loved Gramps Lionel stand for the "mad scientist" look, but it wasn't used often and spent most of it's life under or at the rear of the bench.
My first electric project from scratch was a muti-tester (lights vs meters) and they (test equip) tend to be quite easy to build once you have a parts list done.
