New 009 Peco track

[invercloy]

Just received a reply to an Email i sent to Peco recently about their new 009 track.  I was under the impression that the flexi track was going to be released at ExpoNG... anyway, here's their response:

"Thank you for your email letter of the 28th October.

You can be assured we are committed to producing a new flexible track for OO9 but we have never said it would be unvailed at ExpoNG.  Unfortunately, you have been misled by someone about this.  Flexible track should be avialable during the first quarter of next year and it is our intention to produce left hand, right hand and a 'Y' turnout, but this could well not be for another year.  At the moment, we are not making any promises for a delivery date.

In the meantime, thank you for your kind thoughts and support.

Yours sincerely
PRITCHARD PATENT PRODUCT CO LTD

C.M. Pritchard
Managing Director"

Sounds promising, but not the mention of curved points etc. that we'd heard on RMweb...
Rumour mill at work methinks!

[rhydddu009]

I wonder if they might make points that can be converted to DCC friendly more easily too???

[invercloy]

Well it sounds like it's worth contacting them now Colin  ;)

[rhydddu009]

and their reply:

Dear Mr Lea

Thank you for your email letter of the 1st November.

You are probably aware that we are intending to introduce a new flexible track for OO9, a product with more regular sleepering.  We are pleased to say that all the designs have been completed and toolmaking should commence in the very near future, with the hope that a track will be on the market early spring time.

When we have evaluated the success or otherwise with the new track, we shall be then considering introducing new pointwork to match.  Assuming the feedback is positive, we would hope to have pointwork introduced in time for the 2010 Nurnberg Toy Fair.  Needless to say, we shall be considering carefully the design of the new points, including the electrics, but at this stage can make no definite commitments.

In the meantime, we do thank you for your interest in our products, and support.

Yours sincerely
PRITCHARD PATENT PRODUCT CO LTD

C.M. Pritchard
Managing Director

[invercloy]

In other words all buy lots of flexi track and they'll think about the feedback we give them!!  ;) :D

[eastworld]

In other words all buy lots of flexi track and they'll think about the feedback we give them!!  ;) :D

You mean buy plain track that doesn't match any points, and may not do so if they don't consider it worthwhile? :)

Suppose I could build a layout with no points...

Or alternatively give them feedback without buying the track  :)

Stu

[clanky]

I've ballasted over the sleepers , so it's not so noticable !!!!!! .

[rhydddu009]

I presume someone has now used the new track - is it just the sleepers that are different, or are there other differences?  for example, are the chairs/clips any different?

[millsie]

my new layout is using all the new track, i wanted to use the points too but they stil arnt out yet...but yes its only the sleepers that are the difference, much nicer to look at!

martin

[B.Meldon]

As well as looking better for main line use the chairs are also stronger than the old track thus making it more robust.
Brian Meldon

[kevin_c]

Reviving an old(ish) thread here...

I've recently got back into railway modelling and have decided to start an 009 layout, so I have just joined the society. (so please be gentle with me!  :) )
Because I've been out of the hobby for many years i've lost track of what's what etc. so a couple of questions about this 'new' Peco track:

1, Does the 'new' flexitrack have a different part number? i.e. how do I know I'm not getting a shops 'old cast-offs' or has it been out so long now that any old stock has gone?

2, Any news on when the 'new' turnouts may be released, if they haven't already. I read somewhere that some old ones had a radius of just 9" (the current range are 12" and 18" for the 'Y' turnout)

Regards

[B.Meldon]

Hi Kevin

The new track is called mainline narrow gauge and has regular spaced sleepers.
The old

[kevin_c]

Brian, thank you for the very informative reply.

I don't have the current Peco catalogue (hopefully a new one out soon??) so the numbers are handy for reference.
I see most places (including Hattons) only advertising the older 'SL-400' track though ???, at least Peco list the 'Mainline' flexitrack though on the web site.

I have been reading about the poor performance of the Peco 12" points (I believe they need straightening!), but because I'm still at the planning stage and have just started building some Parkside Dundas wagon kits at the moment, I may be able to wait for the new 'Mainline' turnouts to appear. I note some people using normal N gauge ones and using lots of ballast to hide the sleeper size!

Do you know what the radius might be for the new 'Mainline turnouts, somewhere around 15-18"? I've not found anything about them on the web.

In the meantime I can use a normal 'N' gauge template to closely match this sort of radius in my software (Anyrail). The layout is not going to be so 'tight' that the radius makes a great deal of difference. ( I have a 12' x 8' room to use)

I'll just have to hope Peco deliver them soon (I won't hold my breath though!)

Thanks again for the very helpful reply

Regards

[rhydddu009]

Are there any more details from peco available yet on these points - what radius?  when available? dcc friendly? anyone know??