O Setup - 2 or 3 Rail (Help/Advice)

[Anonymous]

Greetings All,   I am trying to decide between a 2 Rail, or a 3 Rail setup/layout (in O).  I want some switching operations (and the movement of freight cars to/from factories) to be the main scheme of my layout.  I was very impressed by the sound and features of some of the Lionel (3 rail) engines.  In particular, the capability to release (uncouple) the rolling stock from the engine anywhere on the track (by pressing a button on the transmitter).  I am wondering if this great feature (and the fantastic sounds and other features) are available in 2 rail engines (and associated track) ?   I do want to do some scale detail work ...... and I think I would prefer a 2 rail setup (for some added scale realism).   Thanks.   Bob  

[chuck]

Two rail DCC will allow you access to remote control operation and sound effects.  You may have more trouble finding two rail O equipment other than mail order, most shops cary three rail O.
 

P&D in Frasier, MI has an extensive line of two rail O, here is their web site:

  http://www.pdhobbyshop.com/

[jimhaleyscomet]

Two rail looks more realistic.  Three rail is much easier to wire if you have reverse loops. 

 There is way more 3 rail product then two rail (especially in the lower cost lines).  MTH's higher line of units are available 3 rail or two rail but you need MTH DCS to get all the great sounds and features.   

[phillyreading]

Not sure if all features will work with two rail that work on three rail.   One big differance  between two rail and three rail is in the wheelsets on the trucks, two rail are insulated from each wheel and three rail are solid metal between the two wheels.

From what I have seen at train shows there are not many people selling two rail stuff.

If it is lower cost try Williams or Read Made Trains, good quality lower price and three rail.

Lee F.

[palallin]

2-rail O is currently riding a wave of popularity and growth.  Two good sources of info on them are the yahoolists Otrains and Oscalekings, the latter particularly focused on encouraging newbies.  Atlas, particularly, but also Weaver and many other manufacturers have bolstered their 1-rail O offereings to the point where today is the Golden Age of 2-rail.

 All that said, though I dabble in 2-rail, I stick mostly with 3-rail for its simplicity, ruggedness, and compatability with my older (and my sons') trains.  One can build a 3-rail layout that, save for the center rail, is virtually indistinguishable from a 2-rail layout if one chooses, or one can nail tubular track to plywood and run tinplate or do both together.  3-rail O offers perhaps the greatest flexibility of all the model railroading branches.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the responses/information.  Though I would prefer 2 rail .... the feature that I really want is to be able to uncouple the rolling stock (from the engine) ...... from the remote...... anywhere on the track.   I cannot find this feature on any 2 rail engines ..... (maybe I just do not know where to look) .... ?   Bob

[csxt30]

Thank you all for the responses/information.  Though I would prefer 2 rail .... the feature that I really want is to be able to uncouple the rolling stock (from the engine) ...... from the remote...... anywhere on the track.   I cannot find this feature on any 2 rail engines ..... (maybe I just do not know where to look) .... ?   Bob

I believe most 2 rail users have K-Dee couplers & use a magnet in the track to uncouple with. Also, as I understand it, 2 rail needs wider radius curves because the couplers are attached directly to the cars, as opposed to 3 rail where they are a part of the truck.   

http://www.kadee.com/

Thanks John