Model Railway Trains - Tracks

It is useful to have some basic knowledge of the different types of model railway tracks that are available although your choice of locomotive and rolling stock may well determine the model railway tracks type.

In the past, construction was mainly of steel and brass and whilst still available, nickel silver has become the preferred choice of many enthusiasts. This is due to the useful properties that the metal possesses; good conductivity and corrosion resistance. Brass on the other hand, whilst having excellent conductive properties, tarnishes quite quickly, which impairs the efficiency of the system. The track therefore, requires constant cleaning. Likewise, steel is acceptable as a conductor of electricity but is also subject to corrosion, even in a moderately humid atmosphere.

 The disadvantage is that nickel silver is more expensive, but many consider the gain of improved performance together with lower maintenance costs well warrants the additional cost.

Model railway train tracks are available in various shapes and sizes and one would already have planned the proposed layout before deciding on ordering the requisite combination of straight, flexible,  curved, turnouts (switches or points) and crossings that would be required.

Curved sections of track are available with various radii allowing the construction of parallel tracking around bends. Straight sections are as described.

For permanent layouts, one of the most adaptable types of track is the Flex track. This type of track can be formed to any shape you desire and can be clipped to the desired length. Due attention must be payed to the tightness of turns to prevent derailments of the locomotive and rolling stock.

There are crossings enabling trains to cross it's track and proceed on another and turnouts, also known as switches,  which allow a train to divert from it's current track and continue on a choice of up to three exit tracks.

For those who merely wish to set up their train set on the kitchen table or on the floor of the lounge then tracks that are sold with an integrated roadbed are the most popular. They are easy to assemble and guarantee alignment. Because of the base width, the roadbed provides the rigidity that would allow the track to run over the front room carpet without any stability problems and is therefore ideal for beginners and children. This type of track is normally marketed with the manufacturer's brand name, some examples are Roco Geoline, Marklin C and Hornby Dublo, and Tillig Bedding Track.

For the more advanced model railway enthusiast, who may well choose regular tracking (without the attached roadbed) track codes might be an added important consideration. These codes denote the height of the rails, measured in thousands of an inch, so Code 70, for example, would mean that the rail was 0.070 inches high. These codes are layed down by the NMRA ( National Model Railroad Association.)

The code is placed after the track guage designation eg. "N gauge code 55" or "HO Scale: 100"