Reddit mentions: The best hobby train tracks
We found 13 Reddit comments discussing the best hobby train tracks. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 9 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Bachmann Trains E-Z TRACK ELECTRONIC AUTO-REVERSING SYSTEM - NICKEL SILVER E-Z TRACK With Grey Roadbed - HO Scale
- Set Includes, 4 - straight auto reversing tracks, 4 - radius curve auto reversing tracks, 2 - straight tracks, 2 Hayes bumpers, power pack and variable speed controller
- Trolley Car Not Included – Sold Separately
- Perfect Solution for Point-to-Point Travel on Your Layout
- Nickel Silver Rail with Gray Roadbed
- HO Scale 1:87
- Set Includes, 4 - straight auto reversing tracks, 4 - radius curve auto reversing tracks, 2 - straight tracks, 2 Hayes bumpers, power pack and veriable speed controller
- Nickel Silver rail with Gray roadbed
- E-Z track system--snaps together, stays together on floors, tables and carpets
- No nails, screws or special tools needed
- Modeled from AAR track engineering dimensions
Features:
Specs:
Height | 3.38 Inches |
Length | 14.63 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 13 Inches |
2. CMX N Scale Brass Clean Machine Track Cleaner Car
N ScaleSolid brass constructionPrecision machined partsEasy fill designControllable dispensing rate
3. Bachmann Trains - Snap-Fit E-Z Track 9” Straight Track (4/card) - Nickel Silver Rail With Gray Roadbed - HO Scale
E-Z Track System - Snaps Together, Stays Together on Floors, Tables & CarpetsSet Up is Quick, Easy and Fun - No Nails, Screws, or Special Tools NeededNickel Silver Rail with Gray Roadbed, Designed to Provide Excellent Conductivity and DurabilityEasy to Use For Both Temporary and Permanent Train Layo...
Specs:
Color | Grey |
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 14 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Size | 8 |
Weight | 0.4 Pounds |
Width | 4.1 Inches |
4. Kato 20-040 N Unitrack 62mm 2 7/16 Straight Track 4pcs
Specs:
Height | 0.5 Inches |
Length | 10 Inches |
Width | 1 Inches |
5. Lionel FasTrack Transition Piece
Transition pieceRealistic appearance with molded notched roadbed and railroad ties5 inches longAllows you to add FasTrack to your existing O Gauge layoutConnects with traditional O gauge trackAn economical way to grow your traditional O Gauge layoutFlawless performanceLength: 5”
Specs:
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2009 |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 3.5 Inches |
6. Walthers SceneMaster Bright Boy Cleaner Standard Grit Abrasive Track Toy
Standard GritSoft abrasive cleanerCan be used for wheels and electrical contacts tooPackage dimensions: 3.0" L x 4.25" W x 0.25" H
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 0.25 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2016 |
Width | 4.25 Inches |
7. Bachmann Trains Snap-Fit E-Z TRACK WORLD’S GREATEST HOBBY TRACK PACK - Steel Alloy Rail With Black Roadbed - HO Scale
Complete Track Pack Allows You to Build a 4’ X 8’ Train LayoutE-Z Track System - Snaps Together, Stays Together on Floors, Tables & CarpetsSet Up is Quick, Easy and Fun - No Nails, Screws, or Special Tools NeededSteel Alloy Rail with Black RoadbedHO Scale 1:87 - Modeled From AAR Track Engineerin...
Specs:
Color | White |
Height | 19 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 15 Inches |
8. Trumpeter 1/35 German Railway Track Set (36" of Extra Track)
Model not includedTracks made of plasticKit contains 36 inches of railway track
Specs:
Height | 0 Inches |
Length | 36 Inches |
Weight | 1.37 Pounds |
Width | 1 Inches |
9. Code 100 Nickel Silver 9" Straight Snap Track HO Scale Atlas Trains
Atlas Model Railroad150HO ScaleReady to Go/Pre-built
Specs:
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 9 Inches |
Weight | 0.04 Pounds |
Width | 0.1 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on hobby train tracks
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where hobby train tracks are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
There's this US shop on ebay who makes track cleaning cars by hand. Their design is super simple but it works great. It's not for a thorough cleaning but more for regular cleaning.
https://www.ebay.com/str/espeetcpexcessbaggageshoppe
I bought a car from them, they're nice people and the cleaning car works great! Plus it looks like a normal car so it can sit on your layout without looking weird and out of place.
For a more thorough cleaning there's the CMX cleaning car
It's expensive though but /u/ronstrainsnthings of Ron's Trains N Things reviewed it and said it works great.
EDIT: just saw this was posted 5months ago. Sorry.
I would suggest using rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth or if they are in worse shape use a Bright Boy. Should get one of these anyway for regular cleaning once you lay track.
Walthers SceneMaster Bright Boy Cleaner Standard Grit Abrasive Track Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EXGNT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0lddBb7PPF71P
So EZ track refers more towards this stuff which has a plastic roadbed. There is similar track that does not have the plastic roadbed and must be connected by separate rail joiners. This is called a lot of different things, but I call it sectional track. You would need a cork or similar roadbed for it, and you could ballast/paint it to look nice.
Yes. There are ready-to-go products like https://smile.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Nickel-Reversing-System-Ho/dp/B0038LDLQI, or you can do it yourself with your own sensors.
This and This
Edit: Look into some bachmann nickel silver HO scale EZ track too.
What track are you using? Were there any pieces taken from something like this?
I mix and match my O-31 with FastTrack - Lionel FasTrack Transition Piece
Edit: Note: I have O-31, OP is showing O-27
Another question. Will these two pieces of track not match up? They seem to be different colors.
one
two
I was planning to do some kind of levelled layout... the track pack I got is this one . I also have a crap load of old brass track that I bought 15 years ago in a fit of madness... so I am not exactly sure how much I have. Full inventory will probably come after I finish moving in a couple of months.
http://www.ipmsusa.org/Reviews/Kits/Misc/Trumpeter_35_BR52/Trumpeter_35_BR52.htm
https://www.amazon.com/Trumpeter-German-WR360-Armored-Locomotive/dp/B001SX4NC4
https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/tru/kit_tru_1518.shtml
https://www.amazon.com/German-Railway-Flatbed-Machine-Artillery/dp/B002QN99V0/ref=pd_sbs_21_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XC2Z43YSY2Q8QY6Q4E1E
https://www.amazon.com/Trumpeter-German-Railway-Track-Extra/dp/B004CR373O
Go crazy!
Ok, but removing the middle track means the train is useless as a toy, it will not work. It also not meant to be removed, which means you'd have to use tools. It doesn't just snap off.
Lionel track
http://www.trainsontracks.com/lionel-model-trains-lionel-o-1-2-straight-track-6.html
HO track
https://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Silver-Straight-Atlas-Trains/dp/B000H6XL9O
The reason one rail looks longer is there is a "connector" that must be used to connect the tracks together. You need one for each rail at each connection.
Crossovers and turnouts can be tricky for locomotives to carry themselves through. In order to keep things from short-circuiting, the tracks need to be insulated from each other, so the chances of the loco getting power essentially get cut in half as it's traversing these areas.
The good news is that both the flickering and the stuttering are more than likely being caused by dirty track. If there was a lack of power, the lights would be dim, not flickering on and off. It doesn't take long for oxidization to build up. You can buy a Bright Boy, though I've seen people also using small squares of Masonite to wipe up grime as well.