In the May/June 2011 issue of Ztrack, we have an extensive review of the Rokuhan track system and comparisons to both MTL and Marklin track. We have also included a conversion chart to make converting track plans easier. You can find the back issue here:

http://www.ztrack.com/issues/issues_11.html

Overall, it is an excellent track system. The tie spacing is wider than Marklin's (slightly), but it was made for operations. Every loco we have tested runs excellent through the turnouts. Rokuhan has added new curved track sections that have been missing from Z scale. Plus the line is growing with new options. They are developing an uncoupler track that will uncouple Marklin equipment.

My negatives include the fact you have to modify the roadbed to use some track with the turnouts. Rokuhan will be addressing this. Also, I am not keen on the how the track is powered. I also prefer the look of tighter tie spacing.

You can find the line of Rokuhan products here:

http://www.rokuhan-usa.com/

Note, we are a retailer for Rokuahn the above site is owned by us.

Rob

Thanks Juhan, I will post a report, hopefully with photos. The orders won't reach The Antipodes for another week or so.

Thanks for your comments Rob. The thing that piqued my interest was the placing of the turnout mechanisms under the roadbed, and they're doing the same with the uncouplers. I understand that an isolating track might be in the works, but so far nothing about development of equivalents to the Marklin circuit tracks.

Hi Ozzman,

How does the price of this track compare to Märklin and MTL? I did buy some MTL stuff because I liked the idea of a fixed ballast (although the grey is a bit bland)

Like you, the thought of 'below deck' control is interesting, too!

Pete

Since the last post the parcel from Tokyo has been unpacked and the tracks put together in the form of an oval with a pssing loop at one end. This was a deliberate choice, so that I could try out the turnout power routing. And yes, it does work.

First impression is that the track is neat and goes together well, in fact it's much easier to assemble than Marklin tracks are. As Pete remarked above, the grey is a bit bland, but I can live with that. Especially after trying to ballast M* track!

The controller looks neat but feels a bit lightweight, but then again it's only meant to handle 10V DC, and therin is an issue for us outside the USA. The Rokuhan adapter (one of which comes with the controller) only takes an input of 100V AC and outputs 10V DC. However it also takes 8 AA batteries, which is quite enough to run a loco (V100 with a metal body) around my test track. As a longer term measure I'll get hold of an adapter that steps down 230V AC to 10V DC. Alternatively it might well be possible to use one of my 3 Marklin Mini-Club power packs. The davantage of that, if it's feasible, is that the M* power pack also outputs 10V AC accessory power.

Cost comparisons, in AUD, based on prices quoted by Lokshop and Hobby Search (Tokyo):
The Marklin 8530 (220mm radius 45 degree curve) works out at $2.57. The Rokuhan equivalent is $2.76, but of course you don't have to ballast it. The M* 8562 left remote turnout is $31.47, while the Rokuhan equivalent is $22.31. Quite a difference there.

The next step is to run a few trains, as opposed to just a loco.

Hi Pete

Thanks for your response. What I like about Rokuhan is that they're well on the way to producing a very wide range of curves, from 70mm (how would you get anything to go around that!) to 270mm in 25mm steps. Every 110mm straight is also set up as a power feeder track. And of course having the turnout motors mounted under the track is definitely a plus.

A couple of minor negatives:

(1) You have to cut a bit out of the roadbed edge for the straight track piece on the frog side of turnouts, otherwise it won't fit. That isn't particularly onerous.

(2) With M* turnouts you can run a train through a turnout that is set the wrong way with no repercussions. If you try that with Rokuhan turnouts you get a short circuit.

(3) The ends of the rails feel slightly burred, as if they hadn't been cut properly. Rokuhan is a Japanese company and they do all the design, development and testing, but the product is made in China. Other than the burring, I haven't found any flaws in the items I received.

(4) The controller does not like lighted coaches! They do make a separate controller for constant lighting.

(5) It doesn't seem to be easy to fix the track down, other than with PVC glue or maybe something like blu-tack. They do produce "fixing pieces", which also include holes for mounting catenary masts.

On the whole I'm quite satisfied with what I've seen so far. Still to come are some of the "fixing pieces".