Set track or Streamline?

[Brian]

Hi
Do remember there are differences between Setrack and Streamline points.
The first is that Streamline are not a drop in replacement for Setrack points. Streamline are physically larger and have a much shallower turnout radius.
Next, when two Setrack points are placed together to form a crossover pair of points their natural parallel spacing on the straight lines is 67mm. Two Streamline points will give 50mm in OO.
Setrack in OO is only sold in Code 100 rail. Streamline is sold in Code 100 and Code 75 rail profile (Code xx equals the height of the rail in Thousandths of an inch).
Streamline points come in two types - Insulated frog and Electrofrog (Live frog). Streamline Insulated frog points are SL-nn while Electrofrog are SL-Enn. Setrack are ST-nn.

[Mountain Goat]

In 00 gauge I stayed with code 100 so I could mix and match between streamline and settrack (In whatever make track I had of equivalent form). While most of my orevious layout used flexible track with sectional track for the sharper curves as they keep the curvature better, I did very much mix both streamline and settrack points as I found by doing this, I was able to get or even make the points to fit my track formation. In one location I needed a point in an area where neither a curved point or a standard point would fit in any of the Peco ranges, so the solution was to use a very large radius standard Peco point and bend it into the curve and it worked reliably in its position for a few years until I had to dissmantle the layout as the room was needed for another use.

[darkscot]

The first is that Streamline are not a drop in replacement for Setrack points. Streamline are physically larger and have a much shallower turnout radius.

This is a very good comment (I was going to say point, but...) from Brian. I have a couple few Peco Streamline turnouts I bought for a micro shelf layout I never got around to building. They are lovely quality, but I just feel they would put the rest of the track to shame if I put it them on my current project.

Also if you are planning a large layout you can save a lot of money by procuring second-hand Hornby and/or Peco setrack.

[Steve M]

Sorry but I have to disagree with the last line.
Secondhand track can be of questionable quality and if it's below standard it will lead to no end of running problems. Better off to go new if at all possible.

[Walkingthedog]

I was given a box of second hand track and the whole lot ended up in the bin. Points need to have been really well looked after.

[Mountain Goat]

Don't throw secondhand track. The rails and bits and pieces come in handy when making ones own track. Points can be rebuilt with new PCB sleepers. I have saved a pair of old settrack Peco points by doing this. One can straighten uneven rails etc. If they are too far gone, they become checkrails instead.

[Walkingthedog]

Thus track was very bad MG.

[teedoubleudee]

Well I'm re-using most of the track from my previous layout. I had to chuck a couple of points but haven't bought anything new. If its taken up carefully there is no reason it cant be used again.

[Walkingthedog]

I agree TWD, reusing your own track is OK but you never know what you’ll end up buying elsewhere.

[Steve M]

You beat me to it Brian.
Lifting and reusing your own track means you know what you are going to get, but an eBay or boot fair purchase is very likely to be a pile of junk.
It's being disposed of for a reason.