What track and where?

[steves]

I am looking to get some track for my increasing loco and stock but only have a handful of track at the moment.

I currently have Piko 45mm brass track and like this very much. i am having major problems getting hold of any, have they stopped making it or something? he I started looking round and thought the Accucraft 45mm track which is compatible would do the job, and I can;t find anyone with that in stock either. There are lots of places that advertise Piko track, but no one with any significant amount in stock, just the odd bit here and there.

What alternatives are there that are compatiable and where can I get some

(UK Based)

Thanks

 

[kachamp]

Hi Steve

I use the Tenmille track for my layout, I haven't got any Piko but did see some at Gaugemaster when I was down in Arundel, I accidently bought a railcar set and SWMBO hasn't forgiven me yet, and the profile looks the same. I can send you an offcut if it would help. The rail is 5mm across the base with a height of 9mm and 3mm running head.

 

[New Haven Neil 2]

Trackshack keeps AMS in stock - that is compatable with LGB/Piko/Aristo etc.

 

[Glengrant]

Can't say I see anything wrong with PECO not Piko, G45 flexitrack. Points are nice also, maybe a bit on the expensive side

 

[steves]

Can't say I see anything wrong with PECO not Piko, G45 flexitrack. Points are nice also, maybe a bit on the expensive side

This is definately Piko track, not Peco track....I always get the two confused, lol

 

[steves]

Trackshack keeps AMS in stock - that is compatable with LGB/Piko/Aristo etc.

looks like I shall have to give them a call then, thank you

 

[Gizzy]

Welcome to GSC Steve.

Have you tried Glendale Junction for track, which is your nearest stockist, close to Peterborough? There are no (railway) model shops in Cambridge, but you could look at Snetterton Park Models on the A11 before Norwich. (LGB/PIKO)

My own local model shop in Bury St Edmunds has a limited stock of LGB track.

You could also look at shopping on line or mail order from shops like Dragon G Scale and Back2Bay6, both of which offer discounts to GSC members.

Piko (D) is code 332 rail, and is compatible with LGB (D), Aristocraft (US) and USA Trains track.

Peco is a different code 250 profile, but can be connected with their adaptor joiners.

Some useful weblinks;
http://www.back2bay6.net
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/
http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk
http://www.spmodels.co.uk/

Hope this helps....

 

[steves]

Sorry, now for a dumb question....

I was going to buy R5 Piko track, (R3 LGB), however AMS seems to list it in 3'3" etc, does anyone know how you work out what this is in other track types, like R3 etc? Or what size do I need for an R5 Piko equivilent?

Thank you again

 

[KeithT]

Steve
Accucraft track is fine but I suggest you make a point of not mixing it because it has a slightly taller profile than LGB, Aristo etc and you will need to grind a chamfer at the top of the rail where it joins other types. Failure to do this will wear skates very quickly. You don't need to ask how i know!

 

[steves]

Welcome to GSC Steve.

Have you tried Glendale Junction for track, which is your nearest stockist, close to Peterborough? There are no (railway) model shops in Cambridge, but you could look at Snetterton Park Models on the A11 before Norwich. (LGB/PIKO)

My own local model shop in Bury St Edmunds has a limited stock of LGB track.

You could also look at shopping on line or mail order from shops like Dragon G Scale and Back2Bay6, both of which offer discounts to GSC members.

Piko (D) is code 332 rail, and is compatible with LGB (D), Aristocraft (US) and USA Trains track.

Peco is a different code 250 profile, but can be connected with their adaptor joiners.

Some useful weblinks;
http://www.back2bay6.net
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/
http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk
http://www.spmodels.co.uk/

Hope this helps....

Thats really really helpful, thank you, and yes I am after 332 rail. I would use Glandales, but their opening times do now always suit my work times so mail order is often a better and sometimes cheaper option. Snetterton park models I have also visited, and find their RRP pricing policy a little out dated in these times.

 

[steves]

Steve
Accucraft track is fine but I suggest you make a point of not mixing it because it has a slightly taller profile than LGB, Aristo etc and you will need to grind a chamfer at the top of the rail where it joins other types. Failure to do this will wear skates very quickly. Ypi don't need to ask how i know!

Ah ah, many thanks for that one, I would have done the same as "other people" have done by the sounds of things. Any suggestions on the way forwards is appreciated, preferably with something that matches with Piko as that is what we have already

 

[Gizzy]

Welcome to GSC Steve.

Have you tried Glendale Junction for track, which is your nearest stockist, close to Peterborough? There are no (railway) model shops in Cambridge, but you could look at Snetterton Park Models on the A11 before Norwich. (LGB/PIKO)

My own local model shop in Bury St Edmunds has a limited stock of LGB track.

You could also look at shopping on line or mail order from shops like Dragon G Scale and Back2Bay6, both of which offer discounts to GSC members.

Piko (D) is code 332 rail, and is compatible with LGB (D), Aristocraft (US) and USA Trains track.

Peco is a different code 250 profile, but can be connected with their adaptor joiners.

Some useful weblinks;
http://www.back2bay6.net
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/
http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk
http://www.spmodels.co.uk/

Hope this helps....

Thats really really helpful, thank you, and yes I am after 332 rail. I would use Glandales, but their opening times do now always suit my work times so mail order is often a better and sometimes cheaper option. Snetterton park models I have also visited, and find their RRP pricing policy a little out dated in these times.

You're welcome Steve!

Agreed about SP Models; often been complaints about their pricing policy here.

PIKO are relatively new in the G scale market, and some of their track has not come onto the market as yet, so the larger R5 curves may be hard to find.

When PIKO track first came onto the market, I viewed a sample at either Kent Garden Rail or Chalk Garden Rail (I always get these 2 retailers mixed up with them both being in Kent) at a Model Exhibition in Southend

I believe one of these is a PIKO agent, so it's worth a google for these to find out....

 

[steves]

Welcome to GSC Steve.

Have you tried Glendale Junction for track, which is your nearest stockist, close to Peterborough? There are no (railway) model shops in Cambridge, but you could look at Snetterton Park Models on the A11 before Norwich. (LGB/PIKO)

My own local model shop in Bury St Edmunds has a limited stock of LGB track.

You could also look at shopping on line or mail order from shops like Dragon G Scale and Back2Bay6, both of which offer discounts to GSC members.

Piko (D) is code 332 rail, and is compatible with LGB (D), Aristocraft (US) and USA Trains track.

Peco is a different code 250 profile, but can be connected with their adaptor joiners.

Some useful weblinks;
http://www.back2bay6.net
http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/
http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk
http://www.spmodels.co.uk/

Hope this helps....

Thats really really helpful, thank you, and yes I am after 332 rail. I would use Glandales, but their opening times do now always suit my work times so mail order is often a better and sometimes cheaper option. Snetterton park models I have also visited, and find their RRP pricing policy a little out dated in these times.

You're welcome Steve!

Agreed about SP Models; often been complaints about their pricing policy here.

PIKO are relatively new in the G scale market, and some of their track has not come onto the market as yet, so the larger R5 curves may be hard to find.

When PIKO track first came onto the market, I viewed a sample at either Kent Garden Rail or Chalk Garden Rail (I always get these 2 retailers mixed up with them both being in Kent) at a Model Exhibition in Southend

I believe one of these is a PIKO agent, so it's worth a google for these to find out....

Well I think its KGRModels that must be the one as I found it

Now, is this track reasonably priced and is it any good in anyones opinion, or should I be looking at a different make? We only have Piko as we picked some up very cheap at a show once, but nothing laid down as yet.

i know, i am such a pain and know nothing

 

[yb281]

Hi Steve. Jeremy @ Dragon G Scale appears to have plenty of Piko track on his site.

http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/index.asp

As previously mentioned, he gives discount to forum members. Might be worth giving him a bell to see what he's got in stock.

 

[steves]

Hi Steve. Jeremy @ Dragon G Scale appears to have plenty of Piko track on his site.

http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/index.asp

As previously mentioned, he gives discount to forum members. Might be worth giving him a bell to see what he's got in stock.

Most of it is out of stock

 

[Gizzy]

Well I think its KGRModels that must be the one as I found it

Now, is this track reasonably priced and is it any good in anyones opinion, or should I be looking at a different make? We only have Piko as we picked some up very cheap at a show once, but nothing laid down as yet.

i know, i am such a pain and know nothing

No questions here are dumb or a pain Steve. We are here to help!

PIKO track is probably as good as LGB, which has been on the market for some time. It's made in Germany and uses the same brass and plastics as LGB.
I have around 200 ft of LGB track, which has been down for 12 years, and some of this was brought 2nd hand, so may be considerably older! (I also have 2 Aristocraft crossings of about 4 years old.) So if PIKO is of the same quaility as LGB, you should have no problems.

However, there have been reports on the forum, about some PIKO points failing due to poorly fitted screws and wiring. I have no experience of this, so I will defer to those who have, but these others have also managed to repair/modify the points.

Mention has been made of Tenmille track. This is made in Suffolk, close to where I work. It is code 332 in height but a slightly different profile. It can be joined to the other makes, but is best done with railclamps and not fishplates. It is also flexi rather than set track.

I believe that Accucraft AMS track is also flexible track, but again, I'll defer to others who use this make.

in your position, I would stick with PIKO and if I had to mix it with others, I would use LGB and Aristo Code 332 brass track, as these offer the best compatibility.

This is only my humble opinion though....

 

[yb281]

in your position, I would stick with PIKO and if I had to mix it with others, I would use LGB and Aristo Code 332 brass track, as these offer the best compatibility.

This is only my humble opinion though....

And one that I would agree with.

 

[steves]

No questions here are dumb or a pain Steve. We are here to help!

PIKO track is probably as good as LGB, which has been on the market for some time. It's made in Germany and uses the same brass and plastics as LGB.
I have around 200 ft of LGB track, which has been down for 12 years, and some of this was brought 2nd hand, so may be considerably older! (I also have 2 Aristocraft crossings of about 4 years old.) So if PIKO is of the same quaility as LGB, you should have no problems.

However, there have been reports on the forum, about some PIKO points failing due to poorly fitted screws and wiring. I have no experience of this, so I will defer to those who have, but these others have also managed to repair/modify the points.

Mention has been made of Tenmille track. This is made in Suffolk, close to where I work. It is code 332 in height but a slightly different profile. It can be joined to the other makes, but is best done with railclamps and not fishplates. It is also flexi rather than set track.

I believe that Accucraft AMS track is also flexible track, but again, I'll defer to others who use this make.

in your position, I would stick with PIKO and if I had to mix it with others, I would use LGB and Aristo Code 332 brass track, as these offer the best compatibility.

This is only my humble opinion though....

yet again thank you for all the information here....

I will do what I can to work with Piko assuming I can find a reliable supplier, a few phone calls and i should soon know. The points should not matter too much as i only have live steam loco's to run at this time, and if / when i end up with an electric model, then it will be battery operated and RC'd up so no problem with electric in the track, in fact I am only using brass as I think it makes a better noise and weathers better than anything else, otherwise I could save money and get away with plastic, lol i am a tad worried about the points falling apart though, not sure if that ever happens, but if it does, that would be a right royal pain once its down .....

Phone call time me thinks, and thank you again

 

[Neil Robinson]

i am a tad worried about the points falling apart though, not sure if that ever happens, but if it does, that would be a right royal pain once its down .....

For this very reason many consider it good practice to use railclamps rather than fishplates on all pointwork rail joints.

 

[KeithT]

My problems with PIKO points have been with the electrics and not the physical construction so using live steam or battery should not cause problems.
Incidentally, I should have made it clear that Accucraft is not really a problem if you can use it in continuous lengths. That way you only need to chamfer 2 sets of rail ends.
Also, it stays brighter for longer than LGB etc which some find annoying.