Track compatibility

[markrussell1966]

Hi I have been out of garden railways for a few years. I have all Aristocraft track which is no longer available. Are all of the other makes of track fully compatible? If not which is the best?
Thanks,
Mark

 

[ge_rik]

Hi Mark
I have a mix of Aristo, Piko, LGB and Tenmille track on my layout. The profile of Tenmille is finer than the others but I joined them all together with LGB rail joiners without any problems. Mind you when I was track powered, I used to bond all rail joints with soldered jumpers - other may prefer a different approach.

Rik

 

[Zerogee]

Hi Mark,
Aristo, LGB, Piko, Trainline45 and AMS (Accucraft) are all pretty much 100% compatible in terms of rail profile. Peco and Tenmille require adaptors as their profiles are different.
Only Aristo has the drilled and screwed joiners, so if you use them you may want to factor in the cost of rail clamps for any new track.

If you're concerned about visual things like sleeper spacing, then keep in mind that most of the other makes are only available with the "euro" narrow-gauge spacing - I think Aristo was the only firm to offer the closer "US" spacing as an option, so do check what you already have.

GRS in Princes Risborough does have some old Aristo track left, I think, if it's just a few new pieces that you want?

Jon.

 

[dunnyrail]

I am using mostly Peco for my Station as I feel it looks better. However in other area's I use LGB, Aristo and Train line 45. These last 3 join up perfectly with Massoth or Hillman Track Clamps. Even the original Fishplates work OK. But for reliable longevity of Power suggest that you Bond if you do not wish to use Track Clamps for Cost reasons. Peco is joined to these by the Peco Track Converting Fishplate. As this is Plastic I use it for Insulated Sections, creating Power Districts where the Track changes type.
JonD

 

[The Devonian]

There is still Aristo track available from UK suppliers.

Andrew at Garden Rail Centres has some I know, others such as Kernow Models and Hattons also did have some. The good thing about Aristo is the small screws which secure the track and does ensure good electrical continuity for track powered folks.

http://www.gardenrailwaycentres.info/shop/
http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/
http://www.hattons.co.uk/

 

[PhilP]

Not sure if GRS has any 'new' Aristo track left??
BUT,
They do have second-hand through the door quite often..

Worth ringing to check, as the turn-over of s/h track can be pretty quick..

 

[ge_rik]

Peco and Tenmille require adaptors as their profiles are different.

Tenmille provide (pretty useless) plastic adaptors with brass inserts but I've found that if you use new LGB rail joiners, then Tenmille track slots into them very nicely and a lot more reliably than using the adaptors.

Rik

 

[The Devonian]

Garden Rail Centres does have s/h Aristo track however.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

If you're concerned about visual things like sleeper spacing, then keep in mind that most of the other makes are only available with the "euro" narrow-gauge spacing - I think Aristo was the only firm to offer the closer "US" spacing as an option, so do check what you already have.

:-\ Can't stress that point too much. Mixing US style with Euro looks damned ugly. Just a personal opinion. :-X

 

[trammayo]

Bachmann's brass track uses the same method as Aristocraft for joining as fas as I know. The Aristo Euro/US track has black sleepers whilst all the rest (at least the three different makes I use) use brown plastic.

The LGB brass rail oxidises into a lovely patina whilst the rest (including Aristo) stay 'brassy' looking for years.

As Gavin & Jon mention about sleeper spacings, it can be a little disconcerting to see the mix (although I have the US spacing on some points - not all radii were available in one style of sleeper spacing and vice versa).

On second hand Aristo - the plastic used in earlier versions was not UV stable and oxidises to a grey colour (my personal experience in buying brand new track from a reputable seller in the UK ten years ago) - but it does take a couple of years.