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I presently have a 6x10 layout and use MTH Proto 2 engines. I would like to change my Lionel tubular track and replace it with MTH ScaleTrax. I have two questions and was hoping someone on the OGR Forum could advise me:

 

1) To make the change from Lionel tubular to O gauge ScaleTrax, with minimum disruption to my existing board's scenery, buildings, roads etc., does anyone know how closely the dimensions for 10" straight track and curved track sections from ScaleTrax will match up with the Lionel 10" curved track and Lionel O-gauge curved track?  Also, how closely will the MTH switches correspond dimensionally to the Lionel O-gauge switches? 

 

2) I have also heard from some dealers that the copper connections underneath the ScaleTrax are unreliable and may have to be soldered, but I get this from people who stock the Lionel track and not the ScaleTrax, so I am a little skeptical.

Can anyone get back to me with their experience or answers to these two questions? 

 

Thanks very much.

 

Jeff K

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MTH ScaleTrax has curves in O-31, O-54, O-72, and O-80. Turnouts are available in O-31, O-54, O-72, #4 (actually closer to #5), and #6. The flex track is easy to work with if you want to make O-42 curves. The track curves are measured to the center rail, so a circle will be slightly larger than a Lionel tubular or FasTrack equivalent. The track can be mounted using 18 gauge wire nails or #2 wood screws (there are pre-marked holes in the ties that can be drilled out from the bottom. Cork or Homabed ballast board is recommended.

Tie spacing seems to match concrete "commuter" ties, and though wider than typical wood tie placement, the track looks good once ballasted.

The track sections are secured via clips and spring contacts, though my preference would be to sweat some solder in the track joints for more secure electrical once the track is secured in place. Rich Battista's video covers the use of ScaleTrax very well and I recommend getting Volume 1 of his ToyTrainsOnTracks video.

The rail is Code 193 (roughly) which is lower profile than Atlas, Gargraves and Ross (Code 215), but supports standard 3-rail flanges. It also supports scale wheels if you're so inclined.

2013-03-31 10.07.21

Hope this helps.

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