The guide slot
in sts track is plastic with the conductor rails exposed only on the top
surface of the track in the style of current Ninco track. All the track
sections are 130mm wide with slot centres 65mm apart except the flexible track
and the narrow ends of chicane sections. The main track sections have small
rectangular holes along their edges for retaining trackside accessories -
borders, barriers and marker stones.
The plastic used
seems to be somewhat less flexible than that used for ordinary Scalextric track
so the track is less prone to warping but the tabs that hold the sections
together can break off if not treated with care. There is some speculation that
the plastic used in sts track is decaying making it more brittle. The track
connections can also be stiff to join together when new – particularly the
narrow ends of the chicane track sections and the flexible track sections.
Whilst the track
seems to connect together with reliable electrical connections, breaks in the
circuit might arise. With ordinary Scalextric track, “Power Boost” cables are
available to overcome this problem. These will not fit sts track and none were
ever produced to do this. Care should therefore be taken when assembling the
track to ensure good electrical connections. If electrical problems do arise,
there is no obvious way of overcoming them. Wires could be soldered to the
underside of some track sections or another connector might be found that fits.
The only way to produce the equivalent of the power boost cables would be to
cannibalise two hand controllers per cable, which would render the controllers
useless and seems rather wasteful.
Track and
accessories were packed in boxes or in clear plastic bags with card covers.
Most of the boxes were white with the light blue “sts” logo in a diagonal
pattern over the whole surface. Only three later accessories were packed in
illustrated boxes, the Flexible Track, Suspension Bridge and Lap Counter. Early
boxes had white labels showing the contents, later these were changed to
yellow. Finally, with the introduction of the new CE regulations, larger yellow
labels were used which also served to seal one end of the box.
As
stated above, the main track sections (straights, curves and chicane) have
small rectangular holes along their edges for retaining trackside accessories -
borders, barriers and marker stones. In earlier track (Type 1) these holes were
simple vertical slots cut through the top surface of the track just inside the
vertical edges of the section. This meant that the type 1 accessories were
placed on top of the track. After some time, perhaps a couple of years,
new track sections and accessories (Type 2) were produced where the holes were made
so that the top of the track edge was cut away too. (Photo of holes in
different track types) This meant type 2 accessories could locate entirely
to the side of the track, which allowed the full width of the track to be used.
There
is little difference in use between either type of barrier or marker stone. In
contrast, the type 1 borders impinge on the width of the track in a way that
type 2 borders do not. Type 1 accessories can be used in track of either type.
Type 2 accessories can be used with type 1 track but the lugs that locate into
the slots will stand proud of the track surface and the accessory will not go
down all the way to the bottom edge of the track as they are designed to do
with type 2 track.
Track
and power components are described below in the order of their reference
number. Underlined references can be clicked to see a photograph, The years
indicate the catalogue in which the item first appeared.
2100 Transformer TR5 1985
This produces 10.5V, which is less than is normally used for slot cars. It has
two sockets to allow two controllers to be connected. As the system was never
officially imported into the UK, all the examples seen are fitted with round,
two-pin continental plugs. Transformers were also available separately as well
as in sets. (Top)
2125 Two
lane lap counter including start and half straight (both 130mm) 1988
This lap counter draws power from one of the two transformer sockets via a
“piggy back” connector, which allows the controller to be plugged in as well.
The start section has a switch in each slot connected by a cable to the back of
the counter. The action of the switch means that cars can only run in one
direction as indicated by white arrows on its surface. As the guide passes
through the slot, the switch closes and completes a circuit, which triggers the
relay mechanism to increase the count by one up to a maximum of 99. There is a
reset button above each counter. The lap counter comes in an illustrated box
with an expanded polystyrene base. The box also includes an instruction sheet
(in four languages) and a sheet of coloured stickers for lane identification.
This was a later accessory so type 2 track sections were always supplied with
it. (Top)
2150 Standard
Straight, 260mm (6 per box, 2 types) 1985 (Top)
2151 Half
Straight 130mm (6 per box, 2 types) 1985
The standard and half straight sections have small holes on the surface to
allow various small plastic obstacles (logs, barrels, sacks, etc – see 2302
below) to be fitted so that the cars have to drive over them. (Top)
2152 Reverse
Straight pair, 130mm each (1 pair per box, 2 types) 1985
The rails are cut in the middle of each track and wires are soldered underneath
each rail and crossed over so that the polarity of the rails change. The driver
needs to switch the controller to reverse (see 2300 below) to continue moving
forward. These must be used in pairs but any number of other track sections can
be put between these reversing straights so the reverse section of the circuit
can be as long as you wish. (Top)
2153 Standard
90º Curve (6 per box, 2 types) 1985 (Top)
2154 2
Concave and 2 Convex track sections 1985
These are used to make elevated tracks, bridges, etc. It is possible to place
straight tracks between them so that long inclines and high, elevated sections
can be built. The concave tracks have holes at one end so that two adjacent
sections can accommodate the Ford Crossing (see 2301 below). (Top)
2155 Rough
Terrain Straight, 260mm (4 per box) 1985
These are the same size as standard straights but are a different moulding and
have a bumpier surface for the cars to travel over. They have neither holes for
small obstacles nor trackside accessories. (Top)
2156 Exterior
45º Curve (6 per box, 2 types) 1986
As the name indicates, these were designed to fit adjacent to the standard
curves to make 4-lane circuits. They are more generally used to add variety to
2-lane circuits. (Top)
2157 Flexible
Track 1987
This comprises three pieces, two chicane sections (see 2158 below) and a
special flexible track that goes between the chicane sections. The flexible
track is 690mm long and is made from a series of 65 very short sections (9.4mm
each) of hard polystyrene, which are designed to look like logs. These are
linked together in such a way that the track can bend horizontally and
vertically. The conductor rails are made of coil springs. At each end there is
a short (40mm) rigid section, which connects to the narrow end of a chicane
track or another flexible track. At its limits, the flexible track can be bent
in the horizontal plane enough to make a 180° turn and vertically enough for it
to form a circle when packed in its illustrated box. Curiously the main picture
on the box shows the shorter flexible section from the 2312 Suspension Bridge
(see below). This uses a similar section of flexible track but with only 45
sections. Because this was a later track, the chicane sections packed with it
are all believed to be of type 2. (Top)
2158 Chicane,
2 pieces 130mm each (2 types) 1987
These pieces are the standard width at one end where they connect to other
track sections. The rails then curve towards each other so that they are
centred 23mm apart at the other end. The track also narrows to 87mm. The second
section then connects the other way around opening up the rails so that you can
connect to normal track again. The only track available to go between the
narrow ends of the chicane section is the flexible track. I have only seen type
2 chicane track sections but I think it is almost certain that both types were
produced,. (Top)
2300 Controller
1985
These have been measured at 100Ω. They are blue with yellow triggers. A
two-core lead runs to the controller from a polarised plug that connects to the
transformer. A second two-core lead then runs to the track connector, which
locates under standard straight sections of track. They also have a yellow
levers on the top, which, when pushed forward, reverses the polarity of the
output to the track making the car go backwards. (Note: the cars don’t go very
well backwards.) The reverse switch has to be used when the circuit includes a
2152 pair of reversing straights. I am not sure whether the controllers
incorporate a braking capability. Even if they do, it is irrelevant because the
worm gears mean the cars stop very quickly anyway. (Top)
2301 Ford
Crossing 1985
This is a simple obstacle comprising three pieces, which are fixed into holes
in two adjacent concave tracks. They form a flat stone and wood “bridge” above
the shallow dip formed by the concave tracks. The box also includes 2 sprues of
log obstacles (as in 2302 below). (Top)
2302 Various
Obstacles 1985
This box contains two grey and two brown sprues with a variety of barrels,
sacks etc. and two brown sprues of small logs. all these obstacles have pegs to
attach them to standard and half straights. It also includes six yellow plastic
road signs with simple self-adhesive paper stickers which fit into the tops of
the six 2304 Barrier Supports supplied (as well as 2305 Marker Stones) (see
below). It should be noted that the pegs on the small obstacles are necessarily
a tight fit into the holes in the track. They bend very easily rendering them
useless so great care should be taken fitting them. They should also be left in
the track sections rather than removed with each use. It should also be noted
that it is rather difficult for the cars to negotiate these obstacles. The
cars’ guides pivot along an axis in line with its length. The cars tend to be
thrown sideways by these obstacles so the guide is quite easily pushed out of
the slot. The barrier supports differ between types 1 and 2 (see bleow). (Top)
2303 Track Borders 1985 (2 types)
This box contains 4 130mm straight borders and 4 inner borders for standard
curves. These are the only borders available for use with sts track. Borders
are retained by lugs, which are pressed down into the rectangular holes in the
edges of the track. Type 1 borders overlap the edge of the track by up to 7mm.
The height of this overlap is about 4mm above the level of the track surface.
This is not really an issue with the straight borders but on the inside of the
curves, because the rear wheels will tend to trail towards the edge of the
track, these borders can become something of an obstacle. Type 2 borders go
completely to the side of type 2 track. Type 1 borders can be used on either
track type. Type 2 borders should only be used on type 2 track. They will fit
type 1 track but the lugs will stand proud of the track surface and the border
will not reach the bottom edge of the track so they will be suspended above the
surface on which the track is built rather than resting on it. (Top)
2304 Barrier with supports 1985 (2 types)
This box contains 6 barrier sections (275mm each) and 24 separate supports. The
barriers clip into the supports, which are retained by the rectangular holes in
the edges of the track. The barrier supports have holes in the top to carry
flags or road signs. There is no means of joining adjacent lengths of barrier
so breaks are visible when barriers are used around bends. The barrier supports
differ between types 1 and 2. Barriers using type 1 supports are held 4mm or so
inside the edge of the track but this does not affect the running of the cars.
Both types of support can be used on either type of track.
This two-piece approach is a very sensible way of fitting barriers. Because the
supports that attach to the track are not fixed relative to the barrier, it
never becomes necessary to attach the barrier at a join between track sections
(where it is impossible) in a way that often occurs with normal one-piece
systems. The sts barriers would have been better still if they had been
supplied as a single long coiled length as shown in the 1985 and 1986 catalogue
illustrations. Users could then have cut sections to the exact length they
required. Curiously, early price lists (and box labels) describe the 2304
product as “Barriers (2 metres with supports)” when 6 lengths of 275mm total
significantly less than 2 metres. This tends to support the view that Exin
originally intended to supply barrier as single long lengths but changed their
mind and forgot to change the description. It is extremely unlikely that
barriers were ever supplied in single long lengths, certainly I have never seen
any. Catalogues and price lists from 1987 onwards (as well as the later box labels)
describe the product more accurately as “6 Barriers with supports”. (Top)
2305 Marker Stones (Mojones) 1985 (2 types)
This box contains 24 marker stones, which are retained by the rectangular holes
at the edge of the track and 16 self-adhesive paper flags with orange plastic
poles. Each stone has a hole in the top, which can be used to hold a flag or a
road sign. (The flags can also be inserted into the top of the barrier
supports.) Type 2 marker stones have a tab projecting from the side of the
stone so that the whole stone was to the side of the track. The tab of type 1
stones was part of the side of the stone itself (a section of which had been
cut away) so that half the stone covered the edge of the track by about 4mm.
This overlap is not important except perhaps if type 1 stones are used on the
inside edge of standard curves. Type 1 stones can be used with type 2 track.
Type 2 stones can also be used with type 1 track but the lugs will be proud of
the surface of the edge of the track. (Top)
Track Supports 1985
Short elevated sections of track can be self-supporting but longer elevated
sections would collapse or deform unless they were held up. These support
pieces are used for this. They are designed to support track at heights set out
below and to link together vertically so that sections of any height can be
supported. There are 6 supports in each box.
2306 Support
(Small)
The height of this support corresponds to that produced when a concave and
convex track are joined together.
2307 Support
(Large)
The height of this support corresponds to that produced when a half straight is
inclined between concave and convex track sections. Two large supports
therefore correspond to the height of an inclined standard straight.
2308 Support
(Inclined)
The inclined supports are used (generally with large and small supports as
appropriate) to support inclined straight sections. (Top)
2309 Centre
Obstacle 1985 (2 types)
This comprises a 260mm straight track with a high obstacle running along the
middle. The cars will be lifted up on one side as they go along. 4 130mm
borders are included. All the catalogue illustrations show the centre obstacle
having type 1 borders fitted but both types were produced. (Top)
2310 Ramp
Jump 1985 (2 types)
This comprises a 260mm straight track with ramps, which the cars go up, then
jump off. The obstacle includes barrels and sacks, which can be fitted to the
track after the ramps. (Top)
2311 Elevated
Track (Rope Bridge) 1986
This comprises a 260mm straight track with short ramps at each end and flexible
“bridge” sections in between. The type of track is irrelevant as the ramps and
bridges overlap the holes at the edge of the track so no trackside accessories
can be fitted. (Top)
2312 Suspension
Bridge 1987
This is a spectacular slot car track and comes in a nicely illustrated box. It
comprises
One flexible track piece, which with 45 “logs” and an overall length of 500mm, is similar to but shorter than the flexible track in the 2157 product above
2158 two chicane sections
2154 two concave and two convex tracks
2150 one standard straight
2151 one half straight and
2 scenically decorated vinyl support
pieces with 9 vinyl cross-pieces to support the track sections.
The
tracks link together in the following order: - concave, standard straight,
convex, chicane, flexible track, chicane, convex, half straight, concave. The
four rigid pieces at each end are supported and the flexible section hangs in
mid air. The overall length is 1380mm (4’6”). Cars must travel from the high
side to the low side, as end of the suspended flexible track would be too steep
for them to climb in the other direction. As this was a later obstacle, the
track sections packed with it are all believed to be of type 2. (Top)
2313 Chicane
(Mountain pass) 1988
This has the same track as a 2158 chicane but has scenic plastic mountains on
both sides which are retained by the rectangular holes in the edges of the
track. A decorative flexible “bridge” (actually the centre span from the 2311
Elevated track) runs between the mountains over the track. As this was a later
obstacle, the chicane sections used with it are almost certainly all type 2. (Top)
2314 See-saw Obstacle 1989 (photo’s up & down)
This comprises a 260mm straight track with a central seesaw. This will cause
one side of the car to lift as it climbs one end of the see-saw. Once over the
centre, the see-saw pivots and the car descends to the track again. Apart from
the chicane, this is the only obstacle where the progress of one car affects
the progress of the other. A car travelling behind another must be careful to
wait till the leading car clears the seesaw before it can progress. Otherwise
the car behind could be trapped under the seesaw or one or other or both cars
could de-slot. This obstacle was the last to be produced in 1989 and is very hard
to find. Almost certainly it was only ever produced with type 2 track. (Top)
Mountains 1988
Each “mountain” comprises 2 flat pieces of scenically decorated vinyl, which
slot together to form a self-supporting X so that each has 4 vertical “sides”.
Three sides of each mountain have flat upper edges, which will support elevated
tracks (standard curves) going around them. These flat edges are set at heights
corresponding to elevations produced by specific sequences of track as shown
below. The large green mountain also has holes in two sides allowing tracks and
cars to go through. Mountains were supplied in some sets or as accessories in
polythene bags with card tops. Mountains were only shown in catalogues from
1988 but were available in set 2025 from 1986 (green) and set 2015 (medium
brown) and set 2028 (large brown) from 1987.
I recently spent a few days in northern Spain and was struck by the many craggy
mountains in the region. There would have been no shortage of inspiration for
these accessories as well as the 2313 mountain pass above.
2600 Mountain
medium
Track height: concave, half straight, convex
2601 Mountain
large
Track height: concave, standard straight, convex
2602 Mountains
green (3)
Small Track height: concave, convex
Med. Track height: concave, half straight, convex (as 2601
above)
Large Track height: concave, half straight, convex, concave,
half straight, convex
or
concave - convex - concave - standard straight – convex