SLOT TRACK SCENICS TRACK ACCESSORIES

Review by Taxi

Slot Track Scenics continue to expand their range of easy-to-use 'instant' scenery. Slot Track Scenics are a small British company and their products are primarily designed to be used with the Scalextric track system although they are compatible with SCX and Ninco track too. I've reviewed some of their accessories before and been impressed with the quality of design and production, especially coming from such a small manufacturer.

The items reviewed here are some of their spectator embankments. Two types of embankment are available; long 'centre' sections and shorter 'end' pieces. The long sections are approximately 350mm, the same as a Scalextric or SCX straight track piece (Ninco straights are slightly longer). The end sections are approx 175mm long, matching the length of a half straight track piece. Curved embankments to fit outside Radius 2 curves are being developed and should be available soon. (Radius 2 curves are the ones most commonly used in sets.)

The embankments are light, vacuum-formed pieces and are available in three finishes - grass, sand or snow. Plain versions are also available so you can decorate them to match your track.

The track shown in the photos is my little test track. It's an 84x30 inch board with just under 5 metres of Scalextric Sport track attached to it. The track folds down flat against a wall when not in use, so there isn't much opportunity for permanent scenery.

As you can see from the photos, the can be used effectively attached to the track or when using borders. There's a ridge along the front of the embankments which matches the height of the track and borders so there are no unsightly gaps.

I mentioned that these are vacuum formed. Normally vacuum-formed items use very thin material and are quite flimsy, but the embankments are nothing like that. The material is relatively thick and the finished item is quite rigid and strong. 

There will probably be small gaps between sections of embankment if they are placed loose beside the track. This would be fairly easy to solve by gluing the sections together and brushing some grass over the join. A good quality 'hairy' grass is used rather than cheaper, grainy scatter material so it's quite easy to disguise any joins. 

The real advantage with these is ease of set up. It takes about two minutes to put my track into position and connect power and controllers. It then took another minute or two to remove the embankments and figures from a box and put them in place. Quick and easy, but it really makes a difference.

A comment from my daughter made me appreciate the difference a little scenery and a few figures can make. She wandered in while I was taking the photos for this review and said, "Wow Dad, you've really put a lot of work in on this little track, haven't you? It looks fab!" She and her sister then took over the track for over an hour while I was relegated to marshalling duty!

But the truth is, I hadn't put a lot of effort in - a few accessories made a big difference.

These embankments are a neat idea, well thought through and nicely made. At first glance they may seem a little expensive, but when you think about the time, work and expense it would take to make your own they suddenly look like good value for money.

Add a few more accessories like tyre walls and advertising boards and suddenly even the simplest track can come to life. Slot Track Scenics produce a really nice range of accessories for permanent, semi-permanent or temporary tracks. 

Definitely worth a look!

PS: At the moment these items are only available direct, the company's website can be found at www.slottrackscenics.co.uk - lots of useful info, hints and tips etc too.