So haven't posted here in a while, but with Autumn upon us the head mechanic (12 years old) decided she wanted the HO train back on the table. I haven't taken or posted pics before, but I figured I would try. The name of our raceway is "Garageside International." Because it's in the side stall of the garage, and it's a vague nod to defunct Riverside. No personal connection there, just thought it was a cool venue.
NCSS, pretty nice layout; is that all on a 4' x 8' table top? Any particular cars get around the track faster (short or long wheelbase cars) than the others? You have got me thinking about clearing off my work/ paint area (4 x 8 sheet on sawhorses) and putting up a second, two-lane track with my spare inventory.......
NCSS, pretty nice layout; is that all on a 4' x 8' table top? Any particular cars get around the track faster (short or long wheelbase cars) than the others? You have got me thinking about clearing off my work/ paint area (4 x 8 sheet on sawhorses) and putting up a second, two-lane track with my spare inventory.......
Yes, it's on a 4' X 8' table. 49" X 97" MDF to be exact. A wee bit of overkill, but it is incredibly smooth, level and stable. And if I go completely off the deep end someday and buy a router, well....
IMHO the 1.7 "Formula" cars are the fastest, if you can live with some wings bumping in the smaller radius turns. (All my cars have Jel Claws.) The 1.5 GT 40's are pretty awesome as well. I think they're my favorites. There is something about the yellow #8 GT-40 that is just really, really cool.
Yes, it's on a 4' X 8' table. 49" X 97" MDF to be exact. A wee bit of overkill, but it is incredibly smooth, level and stable. And if I go completely off the deep end someday and buy a router, well....
IMHO the 1.7 "Formula" cars are the fastest, if you can live with some wings bumping in the smaller radius turns. (All my cars have Jel Claws.) The 1.5 GT 40's are pretty awesome as well. I think they're my favorites. There is something about the yellow #8 GT-40 that is just really, really cool.
After trying various style tires on my track (also Tomy sectional), I eventually converted most of my cars to Gel Claws, too. As long as the tack is wiped down to remove dust (and of course the tires are clean), the grip on plastic track is terrific. Just don't use tire cleaner on them; it will degrade the tire. They clean with simple dish soap and water, of which I have a plentiful supply. Personally, I think the shorter wheelbase chassis get around the tighter turns much better than the 1.7, front wing or no. I have actually gone to 18" outside/ 15" inside diameter for several turns on my layout to help the "stretched" chassis cars a little (maybe I just like fast sweepers).
After trying various style tires on my track (also Tomy sectional), I eventually converted most of my cars to Gel Claws, too. As long as the tack is wiped down to remove dust (and of course the tires are clean), the grip on plastic track is terrific. Just don't use tire cleaner on them; it will degrade the tire. They clean with simple dish soap and water, of which I have a plentiful supply. Personally, I think the shorter wheelbase chassis get around the tighter turns much better than the 1.7, front wing or no. I have actually gone to 18" outside/ 15" inside diameter for several turns on my layout to help the "stretched" chassis cars a little (maybe I just like fast sweepers).
I agree with what you said about the Jel Claws. Cleaned mine today in mild soapy water, good as new. A fine product. They will pick up dust as you note. I've been known to just keep a damp paper towel near the table. Not as good as mild detergent but easier.
I like the large diameter and especially the 18" radius turn as well, luckily I managed to position mine on an uphill climb where it's coming back towards the drivers, where a large barrier is nearly impossible. So far no huge disasters.
I have had mixed experience with 1.5 WB cars, and I kind of wonder if a couple of them I purchased at a local hobby store last year were very early runs and had some problems. The ones I've gotten on the Internet have been pretty solid. Don't know for sure. I have had to tinker with all the Mega G cars, usually the well known pickup shoe-brush bar thing or the "sloppy gear" thing.
As an aside, my slot car layout was all one level until we put the HO train back on the table. That meant the slot cars had to cross the railroad tracks plus a few other minor changes. The one level track was pretty neat, but visually some changes in elevation look nice as well.
Thanks for the kind words. Been focusing on "small jobs." I like scenery but it does tend to get flipped around. I'm finding Velcro is my friend. I like having a track we can re-build when we wish, but every time you change stuff it presents a new set of issues, like where the cars will leave the table.
A few track pics
Linear Mode
