Large Scale Central

Bachmann brass track

General Discussion
#1

I have been slowly replacing old track with the new Bachmann brass track. Its hands down better than any other track I have used. Each section had a heavy solid feel to it and each section bolts together nice the stays connected. My K-36 loved the 8’ diameter curves :slight_smile:

#2

Good to hear !!

doug c

p.s. how are you utilizing your retired track ? Or have ya found a aspiring garden railroader who can use it ?

#3

Doug Cannon said:

Good to hear !!

doug c

p.s. how are you utilizing your retired track ? Or have ya found a aspiring garden railroader who can use it ?

I’m saving what I can but most is so messed up you could never use it again. Over the years I have used accucraft rail and now this rail is getting brittle and at one point I would go out and find a different section of curved track broken every couple of days.

I have some Aristo and LGB track on hand and neither come close to the quality of the Bachmann stuff.

#4

Bob, I looked at some of the new Bachmann brass track. Could you explain why you think its a higher quality then the others.

I had no idea that rails would get brittle. I just thought metal would just last. Thats interesting.

#5

Cliff explained to me that years ago Accucraft got rail that turned out to be of very low quality and would snap easy once it sat in the heat for a long period of time. This track has long been replaced by accucraft but a ton of it was sold and a lot is still out there. You need to check out the Bachmann track for yourself, In my view the ties are stronger and the rail is heavier than any other brand.

#6

I dont see how the rails can be any “heavier” as they are most certianly code 332 to mate up with LGB and other brands. IMHO, LGB is the golden standard for outdoor use. It has proven itself over decades of use outdoors. I hope the B’man track is of equil quailty but only several years outside in the UV will convince me otherwise. Its made in China, quailty control and proper UV plastics do not always go “hand in hand” from that country. But like all things in this hobby, if it works for you, thats excellent. I have LGB track that has seen over 15 years of Indiana summer sun and heat, followed by our bone chilling cold, none of my ties have gotten brittle and only a light burnishing is needed to run trains on track power every year. No expense was spared in LGB’s track back then, now the new stuff made by M/LGB is a wild card, just like the B’man stuff. Will the newest stuff hold up as well as the older German production? Again only time will tell. Keep use in the loop Bob, I am curious how well it holds up over the years. Mike