34 replies to this topic

[nicky 65]

So I had to pass through Easton, PA, yesterday and decided to make a run over to TNL to run some of my cars.

What a mistake... those might be the three worst slot car tracks in America. It seems that no one seems to take any care of those tracks. After looking at the condition of all three tracks. I decided on a half hour on the oval. Needless to say I only stayed 20 min, packed up, and left.

The braid is all chewed up, track surface is rough and dirty. Sections are all lifting. The slots are all filled with dirt and small parts. What a shame to have such nice tracks and not take care of them. That Altec Engleman is a legend of a track. But is in such disrepair, that its sad.

It seems that there is no interest in slot car racing there. So why should they invest the money into repairs?
I feel bad for anyone who travels from far to go play... only to realize they made a huge mistake.

They need to at least repair one track... Gary Gerding "Where are you?"

I'm sorry for the rant... but with so few tracks left. It upsets me they are not taken care of.

[vintageslots]

That is too bad to hear. You hear stuff like this and you wish you had a lot of money and space to save the stuff. Gary would be the man to save them although there are others to do the same. 

 

I live about three minutes away from where Gary (Gerding Fast Tracks) and Jim Silknetter  (Silkys Tracks) build their tracks in Omaha. Used to go help JIm building tracks and take a break and literally walk to Gary's to see what monster track he was building for someone. It was unreal to watch those guys at work. Both awesome track builders.

[slotcarone]

That stinks, Nick!! We had a Retro East race there many years ago and the King was barely usable at that time. They do have an impressive amount of train stuff though!

Did you speak to anyone working there about it?

[Bill from NH]

TNL had a good program there a few years back when Jay Kisling was there.

[Cheater]

Mike,

 

Based on reviews I found online, the ownership at T&L would be unconcerned. 

Couple of review snippets:

 

2015: "Because the track is not well maintained there are sections by the corners where the braid is raised on the track, which makes the car jump out of the slot."

 

2015: "I was immediately taken back by the overall mustiness and age of the place. Walking down some of the aisles, the merchandise was literally covered in dust. My impression of the place was that it peaked in the late '80s, and has never been restocked or renovated since."

2012: "Atmosphere is quite bad and you feel like you're trampling across a junkyard."

 

2010: "Just be aware that your shocks on your car may need a tuneup pulling into that pit called a parking lot and if you are allergic to dust bring a mask. Seriously, the place hasn't been dusted in years."

 

And their website has disappeared...

[grooverunner]

I was there three weeks ago; stopped by on my way to visit my sister. Brought my box, walked in, looked at the tracks stayed for 15 to 20 min, and walked out!  There was no way my cars would run on those tracks.

 

They way the staff acted they don't care or and are disinterested about the tracks. Not on asked me if I wanted time or if they could help me... Sad, really sad.

[nicky 65]

There were a lot of people working... or should I say just hanging out.

I was last there about three years ago and I remember the lanes were so bad that I kept asking the guy if I could change to another lane and he was getting pissed. Place is still a dusty mess with no organization. You also have to be aware of the ceiling tiles falling onto your head.

[Joe Mig]

Sad.

[PCH Parts Express]

Pictures of TNL.
 
Trains & Lanes

[slotracer43]

The King track is in fairly good condition. It's a driver's track for sure though, it's not a high speed track. It is a shame the Engleman is in such bad shape, it's a great track. They did recently get a new employee devoted to just the slot cars. I think he is doing his best to make improvements, but there is only so much he can do without support from the owner.

[John Streisguth]

When I first got back into slots in 1990, I attended a Keystone USRA race there. They didn't have the king at that time, just the 220' Altec. The braid was so bad there was just a thread of it in the bank, maybe 1/16" wide, the rest was just gone.  

Nobody there gives a rat's patoot about slots, and I doubt anything will change. The few times I've been there the king was so dusty it took 15 minutes or run a lap, clean the tires, run a lap, etc., just to make it driveable, and the track joints are bumps now.

They're into R/C stuff, and most of the people working there are in "hang out" mode, from what I have seen.

I'm 15 minutes from there and I don't even bother going for piano wire any more; they never restock stuff. If I need anything right away, I make the hour drive to Fast Tracks.

[tonyp]

It is a shame.

[nicky 65]

I thank the slot car gods for Buzz-Rama. Buzzy and Dolores keep on plugging away... year after year.

The only remaining raceway in the five boroughs.

[Arne Saknussem]

Yeah... sad... but there it is. The place looks pretty good from the Interstate side. Never been inside or in the parking lot so I can't comment. I know Stemmy made an effort to get something going but failed.

 

Eventually the building's owner will find a better use for the space or get an offer he can't refuse.

[John Streisguth]

I don't think they have a lot of overhead. From what I think I've heard, they own the land and building, along with a bunch of the surrounding land which they have partially sold off for development, so it's something they enjoy doing, and they make enough money to earn a living.

[tonyp]

That's what I was told.

[Dennis David]

Well, that's a depressing state of affairs. The "hang out mode" itself can be a turnoff if you're coming from outside. Sounds like they don't get online either.

[blue&orange]

I'm at T&L 30+ Friday nights a year. I haven't been to other surrounding tracks, so I can't make any comparisons. Personally, I think the King is in good shape and presents a good driving challenge. It was re-braided not too long ago and the staff just did some major joint adjustments. It's cleaned by volunteers on Friday night about once a month. Regular drivers are not afraid to run their 12s and 27s on it. As a builder (vs racer) I find it a good track for my Retro cars.

 

We just cleaned the Altec last night, and it is true that it needs a serious re-braiding – and, if possible, a complete resurfacing. It's a catch-22 kind of thing – if the owner saw a lot of people using the tracks there might be more reason to upgrade, but there are discussions going on right now so there is hope. Many a Friday night Stemmy and I were the only ones running.

 

The new employee, Jay, is trying to build a good base of clients. He has started with a simple winged JK21 challenge; he has some bigger ideas for the fall. We talk about races all the time, and I had proposed an economical entry-level Parma-based series a few years back – and then Parma stuff became unavailable. I know they are selling starter sets, but not sure when the people come. As one of the ones running and "hanging out" I can tell you we have talked a lot about how to get some racing started again.

 

Sorry nicky 65 had a bad experience, but it also might have something to do with what one thinks about one's equipment. I spend a couple of hours on the King every Friday I'm there, and my JK-21s, Retros and 12 and vintage 15 suffer no abuse from the track. As a matter of fact, I would encourage more locals to come by and just help rebuild the slotting community at T&L. I would like to meet you.

[John Streisguth]

Chris, I would love to believe things may change, so I'm willing to give it a shot. One of the problems is that most nights they close at 6, so what would you think about a Thursday night GTG? Friday nights are reserved for my wife and I to go out to dinner together. Any Thursday except June 2, since I'll be at RetroPalooza.  

 

The Altec has needed refurbishing for over 20 years...

[blue&orange]

Hi John,

 

What would you think about June 23 or 30?

[John Streisguth]

Actually, I may be available Friday the 24th. I'll confirm that ASAP.

[tonyp]

See if you can break my eight-year old track record. LOL.

[Uncle Fred]

I ran in a Keystone USRA race there in 1997.  We ran GR27 and G7 on the Altec and had a blast.  The power was so low that we didn't need chokes on the G7's.  Midway through the 27 race, a turn marshal put his foot through the track wiping out Red, White and Green right before the turn coming out of the bank.  We took a 2hr lunch break while the track was repaired.............good as new I might add.

[John Streisguth]

Chris, I'm good for the 24th.  I plan on bringing one car, a retro Can-Am with a Tony P aero chassis, and a variety of tires.  Hopefully I can get one of my controllers fixed by then, I managed to damage both at Retropalooza and had to bum one off of Noose 

 

Anyone else in the area want to give it a go?

 

And Tony, I'll do my best  LOL  

[blue&orange]

John -- Friday the 24th it is.  I will try to be there by 6pm.