Rusty, thanks for taking the time to post this and make your reccomendations. I've been looking into both track systems for a small, portable layout I'm starting. Has anyone tried to source out even a small layout with S-trax lately!!! I've seen powered turnouts go on the bay for over $125 and 6-packs of straits go for over $60!!! If I had my pick, I like the S-trax much better, but after getting some quality running time over my fastrack loop, I think it is a very good option. given the price difference.
This also opens up another concern of mine and it is simply that I am not sure how much more product we are going to see from SHS,AM or S Scale America....at all. I've seen all the forum posts and whatnot staing the contrary, but they simply are not very motivated to bring out new stuff. I think this track is a very good example of that fact. There is currently a strong debate over on the Yahoo forum about how Lionel is moving S away from the small-close knit community it has always been and towards a more informal, product driven market. I think their concerns have merit and I too enjoy being able to talk with manufacturers personally, but at the end of the day, Lionel is the only one standing here with something new actually on the shelf. Personally, I think it will be a small miracle if we see the SCA SD45 or the SHS E7 at all, while Lionel seems willing to offer at least 2 new locos a year for the time being.
