Hi guys,

I have an 15-20 year old slot car set. It's probally a Tyco set, but I haven't dug it out yet to check. It's HO scale.

I'm wondering if I would be better off buying an AFX set like the infinity figure 8 set vs using the old set. Just looking to set up a track to mess around with but use the cars at a local slot track - so the home track would be a practice or tuning setup mainly.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

I'd go bigger than a Figue 8 - just too tiny IMHO.

I love AFX track. My layout uses Tomy AFX track because I can get a great selection of curves. The Tyco maybe difficult finding some different curves to make a good layout.

Nice looking layout slotrod. I like the selection of curves and the scenery looks great.

If you're gonna use your track for messing around, keep using it (assuming it's a Tyco set). You can still get 6",12", and now 15" curves for it. Here's a shop that has them:

http://www.budshocars.com

Depending on it's condition, you might be better off buying new. You can spend a lot of time restoring a track (cleaning) to operational levels and still end up experiencing intermittent problems with power and so on. I tried to salvage my old Aurora lock and joiner track when I returned to the hobby. After six months or so of gremlins and other pains, i replaced it with a new TOMY AFX set. JMHO. Welcome back and enjoy! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: rr

Don't waste time and money on a figure 8. It's simply way too small to enjoy.

There are three basic HO plastic tracks available - Tyco/Mattel, AFX and Lifelike.

If the Tyco track is in bad condition, you probably want to start fresh. In that case, you might want to go with a large Tomy AFX set to get a lot of track.

If the Tyco track is in reasonable condition, I would add to it. As mentioned earlier, Bud's HO is carrying the Tyco compatible 6" and 15" curves and I can sell you any other pieces you need (including the 6" and 15" curves). Or you can look for some used track lots - they are usually quite inexpensive.

If you are just looking for a practice track, it probably isn't necessary to buy the 6" and 15" curves (which will cost you a premium) and just get more of the common Tyco/Mattel pieces. New common Tyco/Mattel pieces sell for much less than new Tomy, which can usually only be bought at (close to)retail prices.

Compare what you would need to spend to do what you want and then decide.

Thanks...Joe

Don't waste time and money on a figure 8. It's simply way too small to enjoy.

If the Tyco track is in bad condition, you probably want to start fresh.



I agree on both counts. I started out with a few of the current AFX sets. First I got a Super International and later, the 4-Way Split. With the sets you get a very good amount of track to work with and a fine stable of fast cars for just starting out, all at a very reasonable cost. Even with just one of these larger sets, you get the added luxury of trying out a bunch of different configurations too.