Model railroad track with an integrated roadbed makes assembling a track layout much easier than using standard track. Integrated roadbed track is perfect for beginners and children because it's easy to assemble and take apart, and it works much better on carpet than standard track. However, no model railroad track works well on deep shag carpet (with the possible exception of the O gauge integrated roadbed tracks). Today the majority of model railroad electric train sets are packaged with an integrated roadbed track. Below, you will find various brands of integrated roadbed track listed by scale.
Integrated Roadbed Track Overview
Author's photo. (Click to enlarge).
You don't need to worry about the track code because that's part of an integrated roadbed track's specification.
Keep in mind that one brand of integrated roadbed track is not compatible with another, though some brands offer adapter sections for connecting their track to other bands. The photo shows Kato Unitrack on the left and Bachmann E-Z Track on the right.
You don't have to concern yourself with the track's code number when using integrated roadbed track; manufacturers only offer it in one code.
Also remember that the track pieces available to you depend on the brand you select.
Keep in mind that one brand of integrated roadbed track is not compatible with another, though some brands offer adapter sections for connecting their track to other bands. The photo shows Kato Unitrack on the left and Bachmann E-Z Track on the right.
You don't have to concern yourself with the track's code number when using integrated roadbed track; manufacturers only offer it in one code.
Also remember that the track pieces available to you depend on the brand you select.
Unitrack by Kato (HO and N Scale)
Kato offers its Unitrack with their patented "Unijoiner" in both HO scale and N scale. I personally use Unitrack in both N and HO gauge. I'm very happy with Unitrack, although the HO selection of track pieces is a bit limited. If HO were my primary scale I might look to True-Track or E-Z Track.E-Z Track by Bachmann (HO and N Scale)
E-Z Track also comes in HO scale and N scale sizes. This may be the most commonly found integrated roadbed track. This is because several manufacturers who don't have their own track products bundle ovals of E-Z Track with their train sets.Bachmann recently became the first integrated roadbed track manufacturer to build DCC decoders into their turnouts. Their E-Z Command Turnouts come in nine varieties, including #5 left, right and wye turnouts and #6 left, right, left single crossover, and right single crossover. MSRP ranges from $48 for standard turnouts to $80 for the single crossovers.
Note: E-Z Command Turnouts are not for use in DC power pack operations.
True-Track by Atlas Model RR Co. (HO and N Scale)
Photo courtesy Atlas Model Railroad Co.
True-Track is fascinating product. I must confess that, at the time of this writing, I haven't handled any of it. But what makes True-Track unique is that it is actually Atlas Snap-Track brand track attached to a plastic roadbed base. If desired, the Snap-Track can be removed from the True-Track roadbed. The Atlas Snap-Track used by True=Track is code 83 HO track.
The N gauge version of True-Track was just recently announced (as of this writing). It uses Atlas Code 65 rails. Judging by the limited information available, it doesn't appear that the N scale True-Track incorporates standard track and a removable roadbed.
The N gauge version of True-Track was just recently announced (as of this writing). It uses Atlas Code 65 rails. Judging by the limited information available, it doesn't appear that the N scale True-Track incorporates standard track and a removable roadbed.
Micro-Track by Micro-Trains Line (Z Scale)
Photo courtesy of Micro-Trains Line.
Micro-Trains Line offers Z Scale Micro-Track. Their 12 piece oval starter set is very reasonably priced. The 20 piece expansion set includes two turnouts (one left and one right) and presents some interesting layout possibilities.
S-Trax by Showcase Line (S Scale)
S-Helper Service, Inc. is the manufacturer of Showcase line. To my knowledge they are the only S scale manufacturer that offer an integrated roadbed track in S gauge. S-Trax uses code 131 rail, which S-Helper asserts is the correct scale rail for Pennsylvania Railroad prototype tracks. At the time of this writing S-Trax is available in three straight lengths, three curve radii, and both #3 and #5 switches (turnouts); with more pieces to follow.Bedding Track by Tillig Modellbahnen (TT Scale)
Although many American model railroaders have never heard of it, TT scale is alive and well in Europe. Tillig Modelbahnen produces modern integrated roadbed track, "Bedding Track", in TT scale and includes ovals of Bedding Track in their TT scale starter sets. What I really like about Tillig's Bedding track is that they use Kato's Unijoiners, and you already know how much I like Kato's Unitrack.Tillig actually says on their website that bedding track is "especially for kids and frequent building and dismantling of the track oval". Interestingly though, Tillig also sells snap-on roadbed for their Advanced Track, which results in a system similar to Atlas' HO scale True-Track.