Lionel (K-Line) SuperStreets and MTH Trolleys and Hand Cars

@paulp575 posted:

I have 2 MTH Trolleys and 2 MTH Hand cars.

Thinking about where/how to place them on my future layout.

Saw something about using Lionel's (K-Line) SuperStreets. That post said they will run on SuperStreets. Anyone have experience doing this?

Without buying any of the SuperStreets sets, how do you power them? Is there something on the underside I can attach power to?

Also, what's the deal with the " Straight to Curve Connector" pieces? The manual from one of the sets says " These pieces are designed to be used – as the name suggests – as a transition between any straight and curved Roadway. You will notice that the channels in the Straight to Curve Connectors fl are from narrow to wide. Always assemble with narrow channel ends adjoining the straight piece and the wider channel ends adjoining the curve. If you are wondering why, it is to optimize performance of vehicles traveling on SuperStreets. The narrow channels keep vehicles moving with little or no wobble, the wider channels on curved Roadway prevent any binding around curves. The tapered channels of the Straight to Curve Connector ensure smooth travel and eliminate possible ‘derailments’.

Has anyone set up SuperStreets without these "Straight to Curve Connector" pieces? Any problems when not using them?

Thanks!

I have run the bump and go Birney from MTH on Super Streets, I have not tried the others but I seem to recall that the PCC and the convertable had problems with at least the 16D turns (there are 16" Diameter curves and 21" Diameter curves)

There are tabs underneath each track that function as small male spade connectors. The powerpack with the sets was usually the small Bachmann style DC power pack and the SuperStreets vehicles were DC. However, you can hook an AC power pack to them

The flanges on curves are wider than on a straight track. Grab a bunch and use them. You can get away with NOT using them, if the direction of travel is from a straight to a curve. Gogin in the other direction without the transition could cause wheels on the inside of the transition to jump out of the flange.