As I expand, I'm thinking of changing from 027 tubular to something newer. I'm wondering about Gargraves. Can you get conversion track to go from 027 to it? How about some others?
Like to hear which track & switches you guys prefer & why.
Thanks,
wyomingscout
GarGraves has the Adapter/Mating Pins for O-27 & O. You can use your switches you have now, or use GarGraves, or Ross for best fit.
Rob
Wyomingscout,
If I had the coin I would buy atlas track with ross switches. Are you runnin' convential or a type of command control?
Gargraves is great in looks but I think I am having problems with the rail joiners over time. You may have to solder rail feeders at the middle of each 3 ft section you install. Atlas switches are a little fragile and expensive, not sure on the reliability. Gargrave switches I have been using but I have to solder in jumpers and use manual ground throughs, cause I walk with my trains with the tmcc remote in hand... do you have a table top type layout?
Yes, I have a table top layout running Post War, no command control. I like tubular, but thought maybe something newer might be less troublesome; rusted, pitted, etc.
I run mostly postwar on tubular, but 031 profile in my case with 022 switches.
I've tried Gargraves, but, while the track is ok, I think their switches are flimsy. Most folks seem to prefer Ross switches, which I have looked at, and which do seem very fine quality.
For me, the only reasons to use other than tubular 031 profile would be: (1) turnouts not available in desired radius, (2) in available radii, new 031 profile turnouts seem not of the quality of postwar 022/711. Sorry, I don't know if this holds for 027 as well.
Fastrack seems to consistently get good reviews for operating performance, although it's considered expensive, and noisy; and you also have to like it's plasticy apearance.
I like the look of tubular; I grew up with three rails & see no reason to hide the center rail. GarGraves seems a bit pricy and you say the fastrack is, too.
As some of my other posts show, I've had some trouble with newer (China) Lionel switches but no real problems with the Post War track. I spent some time cleaning my old stuff and some from eBay. Some of the things I've seen on I Love Toy Trains was leading me to think of something other than tubular; bendable track to make curves as needed, newer, etc.
I was impressed with Atlas's new locos; do they make track that integrates with 027?
Could I use 031 curves with the 027 to reduce the sharp turns? 072 has a different height than 027 doesn't it?
There is 027 and Standard O, which has 031 for it's smallest diameter curve. 027 is a lower profile rail than Standard O. Lionel Offered Standard O in 031, 042, 054 and 072 curves I beleive, and 027 in 027, 042 and 054 curves. K Line did also offer 027 profile 072 curves
031 curves would be the higher profile rail of Standard O, you could probably get 027 track to open enough to accept 031 pins, but you would be just as well off using standard O straights and switches with it, rather than mixing 027 and Standard O track.
For a High-Rail layout, I personally like the appearence of Atlas O track, and they do offer a good selection of switches, curves and fitter pieces.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
wyomingscout...GarGraves seems a bit pricy and you say the fastrack is, too...
...GarGraves seems a bit pricy and you say the fastrack is, too...
A 37" section of GarGraves is just a bit more than a 10" section of FasTrack.
If you like tubular, give K-Line a try. That's what I run, and there should be plenty of it out there.
Happy Easter
Please pardon my ignorance. I thought Lionel was strictly Fasttrac. I just looked in the new Lionel Signature Edition catalog for 2009. You can still buy new 027 tubular track! Various lengths & curve diameters (27, 42, & 54) for 027 track systems.
Who knew?
Guess I'll stick with tubular. I'll check K-Line prices, thanks.
Here comes Summer
Just remember that, with the exception of Atlas O, all track is tubular, or hollow. Ross switches are beautiful pieces, but pricey, and I don't remember if they were soild rail or not, and I don't know much about Super O. With perhaps the exception of Gargraves with wooden ties, all track will be noisy placed directly on the floor.
Someone above mentioned the plasticy appearance of Fasttrack as well as Realtrax, but there have been articles in Classic Trains how to change that on a permanant layout.
Yes, there are new 027 tubular track in 42 & 54" diameters that is readily available. You can also find some Marx wide radius track that measures 34" in 027 profile.
If you are prone, you could really agonize over what track system to use. I also grew up with 027 tubular, I won't be switching anytiime soon.
MTH Realtrax has solid rails.
Bob Nelson
Over 1300 folks on the FasTrack Yahoo Group seems to feel it has a great deal to offer.
Very best, Mike Spanier
Yep. My bad.
http://www.mth-railking.com/us/realtrax.asp
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