Bachmann Trains & Accessories

Ho Scale Brass Track
Ho Scale Brass Track

Many new model railroaders are surprised to learn that track isn’t simply track. There are many considerations, especially when it comes to selecting track for one’s first extensive layout. Before you place your track order, take some time to familiarize yourself with the following topics.

Track Codes. When shopping for track, you’ll notice that products are described with a code – for example, HO code 70 or N code 40. Other products are named E-Z Track, True-Track, or Unitrack. What is the meaning behind these codes and names?

The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) devised a code system for model railroad track. The code number denotes the height of the rails in thousandths of an inch (for example, code 40 track is 0.040 inches high). Integrated roadbed (see below) is usually sold by brand name.

Codes for the more popular scales:

O scale: 125, 100

HO scale: 100, 83,70, 55

N scale: 80, 55, 40

Z scale: 55, 40

Rail Metals. Various metals are used in today’s model railroad track, but the most popular (because it is relatively easy to maintain) is nickel silver, which is an alloy of those two metals. It doesn’t oxidize as fast as the other metals that are used for rails: steel and brass. For that reason, it doesn’t have to be cleaned as often. Nickel silver requires only occasional wiping with a soft cloth. Steel, by contrast, must be scoured regularly with a Scotch pad or similar product.

Standard Track vs. Integrated Roadbed. Standard track consists of metal rails that are connected by plastic ties. Track with an integrated roadbed has rails fastened to molded plastic that resembles the gravel that supports real-world railroad ties. Most of today’s train sets come with integrated roadbed track because it is easy for youngsters to handle.

Track pieces. Model railroad track components fall into six categories – straight, curve, flex, crossing, turnouts, and function tracks. Some things to know:

1. Straight track comes in different lengths and varies according to scale and brand name;
2. The length of a curve depends on its scale, radius, and the degrees of the arc;
3. Flex track allows curves to be fashioned into any radius and angle;
4. Crossings are pieces that allow a track going in one direction to cross a track going in another direction; they come in 15 degree, 30 degree, 45 degree, and 90 degree angles;
5. Turnouts allow a train to enter from one direction and leave on one of two or three other tracks;
6. Function tracks include any track that has a function other than running trains, e.g., feeders, rerailers, and decouplers.

Some curve issues
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Model railroaders often like to run tracks parallel to each other. This calls for curves of different radii (a radius is the distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle).

A rule of thumb in layout construction is to use the largest possible radius curve. A turn that looks too tight may be camouflaged with a tunnel or some other feature in your layout.

C.W. Crawford is a model train enthusiast. For more great tips on model train track, visit http://www.modeltrainupdate.com

Union Pacific’s 844 and E9 ABA Super Steam Excursion in HO scale.