Who makes the best O scale track

[Anonymous]

I am building an O scale layout around my sons room. I already have a Lionel Polar Express set that I will be using. I prices out the cost of getting Lionel Fastrack to fini***he layout (about 40') and was suprised how expensive this stuff is. I was wondering if anyone out there could suggest an alternative. I have read on some forum's that Fastrack is very loud so I really dont mind switching to another brand. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[spankybird]

Best bang for the BUCK is tube track. Either Lionel or K-Line, 0-31 or 0-27. There is plenty of it on the used market and the new product is also very reasonably priced. I would also add that GarGraves in also very well priced, but not much of it on the re-sale market.

Just about any of the others is in the same price range of Fastrack and not much on the re-sale market, as it is all too new.

tom

[lionelsoni]

Also Marx O34, which has the same profile as O27. And K-Line makes O27-profile track in O42, O54, and O72.

[wrmcclellan]

I agree with the others, for getting started and best bang for the dollar, use tubular track. I suggest that you go with O-gauge track (0-31 curves) or with 0-27 profile track, but get 0-42 curves and switches.

Check and see if there are any train meets (with some toy train emphasis) in your area (a lot of them occur this time of year for the holiday season) and go there to buy track. Look around as you will typically find several venders offering bundles (like 5-10 pieces of 10" 0-Gauge staights or 0-31 curves for $5-10). Older 0-31 Lionel 022 switches can be had for $25 each in good condition (with controller). At a meet several years ago - I picked up a box of 12 022 switches (10 worked well - 2 for parts) for $80. So it pays to poke around under the tables.

The track if dirty can be usually be cleaned with a 3M Scotchbrite kitchen pad and then some WD-40 to polish it and avoid rust. Big_Boy_4005 recommends light sandpaer and WD-40 or Wahl's hair clipper oil.

I have had good experience with Fastrack and I do not think it is any noisier than other track when it is screwed down to a plywood top. But it is a bit pricier than new tubular track. If you are doing a floor layout on nice carpet - the extra price for a track such as Fastrack may be worth it to avoid any oil on the carpet.

Welcome to the toy train hobby and I hope your son enjoys his layout regardless of which path you take.

Regards

[Anonymous]

Atlas track is the best if you want to build wider radius and add switches. However, tubular 027 profile track is quite economical if you are willing to have switches that are no more gentle than 042 (42"circle curved path.) 027 profile curved track is available with curves as gentle as 072 (72"dia circle).

[Big_Boy_4005]

If price was no object, I would say Atlas. For good looks and reasonable price Gargraves with Ross or Curtis switches. For total economy good old fashoined tubular O and 027. Both are fun and easy to dress up with extra ties and ballast.

[eZAK]

Gargraves!

Look for it on sale or at train shows.

[Anonymous]

1. If you have a local train store you should see if they have any used track. Support the local guys whenever you can.

2. If you are in a big hurry, buy 0-27. It's cheap, and easy.

3. If you have a little time, look on ebay. You can do a search for "track" and find all sorts of stuff. Caveat Emptor!!!! I got a ton of Gargraves flex track very cheap. Some of it needed to be cleaned up, but I got it for about $1.00 a foot.
It's the same profile as 0-27, so I am using all of my old switches.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I think the tubular track would be an excellent choice because from your posting you said it would be around your son's room. Since it is going around a room it sounds like it will be mounted to a wall above a door. You won't be able to see the track anyway. [:D]

[3railguy]

Like others have posted, tubular track is the best value. Especially used 027profile. Used Marx 034 is the best. You can find boxes of decent used 027 track at train meets for dirt cheap.

If there is a Harbor Freight Tools near you, you can buy a cheapo 4" or 4 1/2" angle face grinder for like $15 or $20 along with cutting wheels to cut the track and enery cloth to dress the ends after cutting.

An easy, economical way to absorb sound with 027 track is to attach pieces of adhesive foam weather strip under the ties 1/8" thick or 3/16" thick x 1/4" wide When screwing it down, do not tighten screws. The heads should be a hair above the ties but not touching. This prevents the screws from transmitting sound to the plywood.

[cnw1995]

Wow, John - what a great idea - I've been using a pair of tin snips. I entered the hobby a year or so ago through a train set - the Ballyhoo circus train - which came with a loop of 027 track - it's very affordable - even paying full retail - I've been able to find it at several stores - it works well - I've found the manual switches are inexpensive and bullet-proof. I'm unsure you can 'mate' it to fasttrack but I'm sure someone here knows.

[insfil]

Have done a few years of research on all the track available and have come to the conclusion that Atlas is by far superior to all for durability, sound and looks.
Yes perhaps pricey compared to others but over the long haul well worth it.
Godd luck in your final decision.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw1995

Wow, John - what a great idea - I've been using a pair of tin snips. I entered the hobby a year or so ago through a train set - the Ballyhoo circus train - which came with a loop of 027 track - it's very affordable - even paying full retail - I've been able to find it at several stores - it works well - I've found the manual switches are inexpensive and bullet-proof. I'm unsure you can 'mate' it to fasttrack but I'm sure someone here knows.

I use the tin snips on Gargraves track to make my rough cuts, then a bench top belt sander to grind the ends clean. Works gerat.

The Fastrack adapter sections are in stores now. Pricey but available.

[superwarp1]

Ross track and switches all the way. I would place AtlasO second.

Gary