15 replies to this topic

[mitchchin]

I have a lot of race sets from eldon, strombecker and atlas. I'd like to set up one of the tracks and am wondering if there is a source for track plans that fit on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. I plan on racing my old 1/24 and 1/32 scale cars. I was gonna use the atlas tracks unless the other brands are better. Any help would be great.

[don.siegel]

Mitch,

Check out the magazine Model Car Racing by Robert Schleicher, and his books too: he's got a lot of track plans in there, and often includes plans for old track, especially Revell; Strombecker probably isn't too different from this, but Eldon would be fairly different, and I'm not sure about Atlas.

He also does a lot of plans for tracks about this size, or for a 5x9 ping-pong table.

Don

[mitchchin]

Thanks, I have a couple of slot car books that are packed away, I'll have to see if I have anything by Mr. Schleicher. Is there a topic on books yet? I'll look to see what I have and post what I got. My atlas tracks seem bigger and more a 1/24th scale track then the eldon or strombecker, but they too are packed away.

thanks
mitch

[Ramcatlarry]

While NONE of these old tracks have the best slot depth, the width can give comparisons for layout purposes. The turn radius will differ as will the angle limits, as some can make a 180 degree turn and others are limited to other angles.

Strombecker and Eldon is the same width as Scalextric and SCX for layout

Revell and Monogram are the same width as Ninco.

Revell and Strombecker 1/24 track is similar to Carrera

I have raced on layouts that have used all of the above. I hope to try all of the others.

Carrera is the best overall of the ones that I have tried with the deepest slot that is compatible with all vintages of cars and flags without modification. Of the older track, I prefer : 1) Monogram; 2) Revell (new kits available from REH Distributing).

Strombecker and Eldon both have very shallow slots requiring modified flags and much reduced cornering ability.

[mitchchin]

Thanks, that is some great information, I never realized that the slot depth was such an issue with the older sets. So my eldon sets will plug and play with the Scalextric and SCX tracks?

[corlando52]

I have a lot of race sets from eldon, strombecker and atlas. I'd like to set up one of the tracks and am wondering if there is a source for track plans that fit on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. I plan on racing my old 1/24 and 1/32 scale cars. I was gonna use the atlas tracks unless the other brands are better. Any help would be great.

There is an auction on ebay for layouts. Put Carrera track in the search bar. I can't copy the link here.

Chris

[Dooner]

"So my eldon sets will plug and play with the Scalextric and SCX tracks? "

I don't think so, unless you make special adapter track pieces.

FWIW Eldon sets used 6 volt transformers. Revell, Strombecker, Monogram and Sears Marx sets used 12 Volt transformers.

[mitchchin]

thanks for your help, I went a digging and found a few of my books.

The books I have are:

The Complete book of Model Raceways and Roadways by Louis Hertz - an awesome book

Model Car Handbook by Paul Plecan

Slot Car Racing by Braverman and Neuman

A Guide to Model Car Racing by Irwin Stambler

I know I have more, I just have to find them.

What do most people do for a 12 volt power supply, can I use the 12 volt brick from an old computer? or will it get too hot. Is the amp draw a lot for slot cars?

[Dooner]

I use a 40 year old MRC Transformer.

Computers have switching power supplies. I don't know, but maybe someone has used one.

I just tested a new Scalextric car on my power supply at 5 volts and it drew .12 amps. One of my 16D cars draws about .67 amps at 5 volts.

[Prof. Fate]

Hi

The cheap solution to power is the Radio Shack 3am 12 volt, filtered, regulated hobby power supply. I HAD an old revell and MRC, but both burned up about 20 years ago! Been using the Radio Shack as my bench supply since then.

Fate

[Ramcatlarry]

While the track SIZES are similar, none of the are interchangable with older tracks - each has their own proprietory connectors. For table LAYOUT considerations, the table layouts are usable from modern track planners.

POWER SUPPLIES: Depends on what you want to run...amp draw limits best performance. Most home set modern systems for analog (non digital) cars use a "12 volt DC" power pack that usually measures from 13 to 15 Volts DC with only about a maximum of 3 -5 amps. Those of us that set up more permanent tables for club racing use a minimum of 5 amps PER LANE with a variable output voltage from about 9 - 15 volts. It is USUALLY tuned to the 12-14 volt range. For commercial slot car applications, a TEN amp per lane standard is needed for most of the quiker cars. The fastest slot cars can draw over FORTY amps - for an instant. An old or new car or sump pump battery works well if you do not mind having it in the house.

I like to use the Pyramid brand CB Radio power supply for club racing. 25 amp variable output for under $140. Commercial units such as a Bulldog (RV industry) can cost three times as much and not be adjustable output.

[mitchchin]

Thanks for all the great information, I was thinking of just setting up a track like I did when I was a kid, except this time, I wanted to go the whole 9 yards and have grass, trees, buildings, etc. I'm planning my set up to be on a 4x8 sheet of ply, with some low side walls. I plan on running my old cars which will include 1/32 whomps, cars and motors by RAM, Kemtron, Pittman, Classic, Cox, Ruskit, dynamic, and the list goes on. All old stuff, some will be 1/24 scale, but mostly 1/32. This will be a 2 lane track. Will I have to get new controllers? if so what is recommended.

[Prof. Fate]

Hi

you want modern controllers. And you want the Professor Motor controllers.

Unilke most, I never stopped racing. For 30 odd years, my garage track was THE local track. To run the ordinary variety of anctient atlas and modern Ninco cars, I needed a LOT of controllers. As a club, we used 45, 35, 25, 15, 10, 7 and 4 ohm controllers on various cars.

All replaced with the single Professor Motor.

Fate

[slotcarone]

Mitch you can check out www.slotforum.com and www.homeracingworld.com for some info on home tracks. These sites are more geared to home layouts.

[Horsepower]

OK, suppose you already HAVE a bunch of controls?

[mitchchin]

there are a variety of controls, but I didn't want to use them, most all of them are from the original race sets and when I press the plunger or trigger, it makes a scratchy sound. I think it always did, but for some reason I was afraid I would burn the house down by using them. I did go to the sites and thanks for all the links, I didn't realize that slots had come back with such a force. I used to go to elmsford raceway in ny and another small hobby shop in westwood nj, but that was a long time ago. There is a local track here in Jacksonville FL, but I haven't had a chance to go there yet.