Has Lionel discontinued the production of tubular track. I just noticed while going through the 2011 Signature Edition Catalog that there is none listed. Whats the deal
Nick
On the other hand, I am very glad to see the Conventional Classics line continuing. Lets hope for a 773 freight of passenger set next!
Nick! :)
The track has not been discontinued.
Rob
Tubular track and switches is not listed in the 2011 Ready to Run catalog also. Does not look like Lionel is trying to promote the sale of tubular track, maybe a slow death.
Bill T.
Seayakbill Tubular track and switches is not listed in the 2011 Ready to Run catalog also. Does not look like Lionel is trying to promote the sale of tubular track, maybe a slow death.
Not surprising its not pushed, ever consider how much money they have invested in the plastic crap-track I mean fast-track? They obviously want to recoup their investment which is also why the old tubular track disappeared from all the sets as well.
I doubt it will go away totally, afterall you can still buy brand new the older steel pre-war style tubular as well as the 0-27 tubular, even brand new Standard Gauge tubular is available despite the plastic versions being offered. About the only scale the plastic crap-track isnt being offered in is S, or maybe it is but I havent seen it.
Personally I really dont care for the plastice roadbed stuff, call me old fashioned but I think it looks awful. The only scale it makes sense in is Z or maybe N. Give me Super-track or good old fashioned tubular any day of the week
Have fun with your trains
I agree with vsmith on his opinion of fast track. Sorry to you guys out there who have the Fast Track, but I don't like the look of it. Fast Track tries to look more like real prototype track, but misses the mark, Tubular track is not trying to be scale track, it is what it is and that's OK. I myself have good old tubular track , 022 switches with O-31 curves and one 0-42 curve. If I was starting from scratch, I think I would go with gargraves track, but I had so much 0-31 tubular track that I have gotten over the past 25 years I did not want to make the switch when I finally started my layout 2 years ago. After all this is Lionel trains ( for the most part, no offense to you AF guys + gals out there ) I have been experimenting with cutting wooden ties to add to the O-31 track to get the right look and feel of a classic layout. Eventually I will get around to adding ballast to the track, but not quite there yet.
Speaking of gargraves track - the 2 largest shops in Denver, Caboose Hobbies and Mizell Trains no longer carry gargraves track, I have asked why, and they said it does not sell any more. Yet when I look at pictures of layouts in CTT magazine and on this forum and the other 3-rail train forums, there are an awful lot of layouts are still using gargraves track . I know that Atlas is getting very popular, but between atlas and gargraves, I would choose the gargraves look - if I was not a tubular track guy.
Steve
Seayakbill: I am with you I just can’t use the plastic track with the roadbed. I just purchased new 027 tubular track in 042 curves Qty 25 and 054 Qty 16 curves and a box of (25) 027 extra long straight. Also (2) 027 042R switches to get me started with the new layout. It cost plenty, about $300 with shipping but not close to the cost to do the same in crap-track. The new track will be used for my main outer loop and I plan on using my used 027 stuff in the switch yard and side loops. Give me tubular track any day. Kevin
Seayakbill:
I am with you I just can’t use the plastic track with the roadbed.
I just purchased new 027
Give me tubular track any day.
Kevin
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
I would choose the gargraves look - if I was not a tubular track guy.
Yep, I have 3 mains on the layout. Inside main is 027 tubular profile with 054 curves, middle main is Gargraves with 072 curves and outside main is Gargraves with 081 curves. I kept one main with the tubular track for nostalgia purposes and run mostly conventional locos on it.
I guess between Lionel, MTH, and Atlas plastic ballasted track they probably are cutting into Gargraves sales.
FYI, Hank's Model Trains in Louisville (CO) still has Gargraves
Yea, I wouldn't count out tubular anytime soon.
Hmm... From the previous thread, it has been "counted out".
Unfortunately, we no longer manufacture tubular track. I am told however that you may still be able to purchase some through various dealers, as to who I am afraid that we don't have that information.We apologize for the inconvenience! Thank you!Lionel Talk To Us
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month