Track Survey - How many of you are using ScaleTrax for your layout?

I have used it on my last layout and I plan to use it on the current one I am building.  I am and have been very pleased with the product, now, I will be venturing into uncharted waters this time, as I plan to use the flextrack for the first time, but I'm sure everything will work out fine.

If there was a greater variety of section curves available, I likely would use ScaleTrax.  Rich Battista's superb work with that line made me a believer.

As plans stand now, I plan to use GarGraves track and Ross switches for the re-make of my main layout (which now is fitted with FasTrack).

The tie spacing on ScaleTrax used to bother me, but once I saw what Rich did with it I became convinced that it's a darn fine looking--and low profile--track system.

 I have four boxes of it waiting to be used. I planned on having an upper level High Line 3 rail loop. Maybe some day soon it will happen.....

Sam,

How do the ScaleTrax switches perform?

Bob we had good service from ours. Occasionally we'd see some sparking as trains would travel through two of them but that was about it. All of ours were 072s and No. 6s. I was unaware of the easy fixes that Dave H published when I layed the track and never got around to pulling them up for the fix.

Next time I'm looking forward to trying to hand lay a couple of larger and/or curved switches using the Ross templates. The Hikels have done some amazing work in this area that I'd like to attempt too.

It would be great if Mike would get behind this track and expand the line with more sectional curves as mentioned by Allan above and especially some more switches. There was talk at one time from Steve B at Ross about them making a few switches compatible with ScaleTrax but nothing has come of it that I am aware of.

Gargraves track and Ross switches!

Bob, we used Scaletrax for our club's modular exhibition layout. The track looks great, the switches are problematic. We have had problems with derailing, shorting and with the switches breaking when heavy locos like scale Challengers etc are used. I could never recommend them.

  Harold, I am well aware that GG & Ross is considered by many to be the best combination for them,  but I'm specifically asking about other SCALETRAX layouts as stated in my title...

How about some photos fellas?

I am tearing down my layout to move. Will build the new layout with Scaletrax instead of the planned upgrade to it.

Note, I found a way to use Existing Ross switches with Scaletrax to fill the limited offering of switches. (I'm using 2 Ross O-72 Wyes)

Put standard 5mm roadbed (Woodland Scenics)  under the ScaleTrax. Put 2mm cork sheet (Amazon). The rails line up sweet. I also found that Ross rails are shaped the same as ScaleTrax, but are just a bit taller. The Ross Ties are much larger, but wood ties as small as Scaletrax ties would split every time you stuck a track spike in them.

I'm using it on my layoout and it looks great. I haven't had a problem with anything derailing other than a 2 rail wheels.

I liked the look and chose it for a layout I was building, then used it on the Micro Layout contest. I liked its insulated properties and how it worked with scale-wheeled equipment (in 2-rail mode, BTW), but admittedly the speed was low because of the minimal trackage. My plan is to only use #4 and #6 "straight-leg" turnouts when I build a larger layout. The curve radius here is 48" (O-96) and is all done with flex track and one #4 turnout.

When I built an 18" x 22' switching layout last spring, most of the switches  were not available and MTH had no projected availability date, so i went with Ross again.  Does anyone know if the switches are now available?

I have so much invested in Fastrack that I don't believe I could switch now....

I looked at all the track systems available, and don't like any,  Scaletrax has the looks..but I hear unkind words about the switches.  When I build a structure that has

a siding, that siding is Scaletrax.  Other systems are too "vertical", too clunky, that

have to be buried in ballast to hide extraneous height.  I am reluctant to use Scaletrax

due to its incompatibility, and complicated connectibility.  I am waiting for another

brand with that low, realistic, profile.

Started with Lionel 0-27, then when Lionel came out with FASTTRACK switched over.  I like it.

When you get down to it, ScaleTrax has too wide of tie spacing and problematic switches.

And in reality not very many options in turnouts to be had.  So does the the thin third rail and low profile make up for those concessions?

AtlasO is still one of the top better looking 3 rail track systems, with a lot more to offer.

C. Sam,  this does not answer your question, but, ATLAS O AND ROSS CUSTOM curves and Turnouts are My Favorite Tracks..Atlas--072--081--091--099, Ross-072--080--090--096--099--0108--0120 and greater..  Their straits are awesome..Atlas does not dent.

Leapin Larry's LOONEY LINES RR.