[Longvallon]

Hello,
I want to buy eight Hornby R607 curves for a small layout but I just found that the Bachmann Branchline 36-607 curves are a bit cheaper. Can I use Bachmann Branchline 36-607 curves without problems?
Thanks for your help.

 

[34C]

Yes. All of Bachmann and Peco OO set track pieces are compatible with the Hornby OO set track. Sadly this means they are all equally poor, the design is decades out of date and extremely limiting.

Unless you are already irrevocably committed by circumstance to OO set track, practically any other HO or OO track system is a superior choice.

 

[Longvallon]

So back to Hornby and Peco !

 

[kiwionrails]

So back to Hornby and Peco !

Hornby OO set track suffers the same design weaknesses as Bachmann and Peco set track.

You will likely want to adopt Peco's 'Streamline' track range. A piece of software called 'Anyrail' would likely help in track planning.

 

[Longvallon]

A piece of software called 'Anyrail' would likely help in track planning

I bought Anyrail many moons ago. I'm a big fan of this software. I find it very "friendly".

 

[34C]

It all comes down to the layout space that's available.

I would suggest that if you have width of at least 1.5m and length exceeding 3m, then you are in the zone where a flexible track system from Peco is definitely the way to go for OO or HO. Not only does it offer more choice in better quality points and superior operational reliability, it works out net cheaper than using set track systems, because the plain track is a lot less costly than buying little pieces of set track. Some skill is required, 'tis true, but there are tutorials online to get you started.

Somewhere below these dimensions you enter set track system territory. I would suggest a look at HO manufacturer systems; Roco offered good value, much more choice and better quality than the Hornby/Peco/Bachmann OO set track, but I am now way out of date on what might be 'the best' currently.

 

[Longvallon]

Thank you for your extremely interesting answer 34C.
I think I should have asked my question a bit differently.
I started to build a "pizza" layout (diameter 110cm). I already have the track for the outer circle (Hornby R609) and I want to add an inner circle.
That's the reason why I was thinking of using the Bachmann Branchline track.

 

[butler-henderson]

The Bachmann Branchline track is made from the toolings Hornby used before moving prodcution to China

 

[Longvallon]

Here is where I am at the moment. I'm very pleased with the result so far. I guess I must start a new topic for this layout.

 

[Longvallon]

Finally, I decided that only one track is enough. Problem solved ! And I also save money. Not too bad...
[H0] Peezza !