Opinion on track - please help

[Anonymous]

This message board has been great with your suggestions. Thanks to all who post replys. I am not new to the basic model train layout, using the 027 Lionel track, and basic on scenery but I am wanting to get more detailed and would like a realistic track. I understand there are many to choose from so I am asking your opinions and suggestions. Please keep in mind I really would like great detail that I can slowly integrate into the track the I already have - if I can. Also, money is an object as the tree outback where it used to grown on has recently died. Looking for your expertise and thanks.

Dave

[brianel027]

Well Dave, when you talk track outside of 027, you are talking money. Gargraves is probably the most affordable of the "real" looking track types if you are comfortable with bending it. It also matches 027 track in height and Gargraves makes adaptor pins.

Atlas 0 track is probably the nicest in my opinion. The flat rail surface accomodates today's traction tire locomotives very well. You might consider mail order for this to get the best price, but even with this, it will still be a financial outlay.

On 027 track, I've added custom made wood ties and ballast to mine. The ties were cut to size of the top level dimension of the 027 metal tie, not the bottom with is bigger due to the curving of the tie. Painting the rails of 027 track a rust color will also make it look better (as it would any track style). You could also trying using the more realistic Gargraves turnouts versus the typical 027 types. It doesn't have the sharp curve as the 027 turnouts do, but is much more real looking. Some have had problems with Gargraves turnouts, but I understand there has been a redesign in the past few years and the problems have been dealt with. You could write to Gargraves and inquire. Gargraves also makes sectional curved track, but it isn't the same deal price-wise as bending the track yourself. Gargraves does make a video on how to lay their brand of track.

[nitroboy]

To be honest, how realistic can you be with three rails??? Thats my view point. So, I stick with Lionel tubular track, specifically O gauge. You can dress it up pretty nice. Put extra ties in it, paint the outer rails rust color, and the inner black.





Cost was my big issue. It was all used track, which I would buy new next time. Used track has its own issues with conductivity and connections. If I had a little more money, I would go with Atlas track.

[Anonymous]

Since I am at the point of changing, or at least seriously considering change, do you suggest perhaps going to O track instead or sticking with O27. It seems O is easier to find and perhaps may be the route to go? So many choices, so many decisions.

[Dave Farquhar]

Dave, regular O gauge track is even less realistic--O27 is too tall, let alone gargantuan O31--and I don't really know that it's any easier to find. I have a ton of both, but I find used O27 all the time. The local stores around me seem to have both O and O27 in more or less equal quantities.

I know of one guy who removes the ties as part of his rehab process for O27 track, and rather than futz around with putting the ties back on, he just glues the rails to wooden ties. The result is track that looks like Gargraves, but with O27 economy. As Brianel suggested, you could spend the money you save on Gargraves switches.

You can also get wider-radius O27 track if the lack of realism on the tight curves bothers you. I've been hoarding O34 and O42 curves in O27 profile for the purpose of redoing my layout. K-Line makes O54 and even O72 curves in O27 profile, I believe.

[ChiefEagles]

Dave is right. My temp carpet layout has K-Line O72 curve track in O27 size.

[spankybird]

I also like O27 with K-line low profile switches and I also have added the extra ties.


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[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DaveAB222

. Also, money is an object as the tree outback where it used to grown on has recently died.

Yours died too!??

and I thought I was the only one. Doesn't that beat all!!! [:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Jim Duda]

How realistic do you want to get? If you do choose O gauge, I think the K-Line Shadow Rail is a good option. Center rail is already chemically blackened, has plenty of PLASTIC ties which means the outside rails are already electrically isolated, plugs into mating sections with the tried and proven track pins (no flimsy connection tabs), mates perfectly with Lionel track, accessories, and switches, etc.

If you do choose O27, I'd make ABSOLUTELY sure that all your anticipated trains will run on it (I think they will), get some more opinions, make your choice, and go with it. There will be positive and negatives to whatever you choose, though...

Now, is the track in the following pics realistic enough? If not, check out Atlas O or Gargraves...

[Anonymous]

My personal preference in three-rail O gauge is Atlas track. They offer a well made and diverse assortment of items, and I'm quite happy with the overall appearance (especially after applying ballast).

As long as you're dealing with three rails, you'll just have to accept the fact that any track you buy, and anything you do to that track, will invariably fall far short of being truly "realistic." There simply is nothing out there that really hides that center rail convincingly--the closest thing to an "invisible" third rail that I've ever seen is the studded center rail system used by Marklin for its HO scale C-Track system (perhaps the best engineered sectional track offered in any scale).

[daan]

In my case I start to believe that 3 rail is the realistic version.. I'm missing the third rail in reality[:D]..
In real trackwork there is always a black grease "mark" between the two rails. It comes from the toilets, the traction motors and leaking air from the brakesystem.
So a black third rail is not as bad as a shiny metal one.
When old track gets redone, they place the new trackwork in between the two outer tracks (saw that a few times) and it looks excactly as a 3 rail track..
My option also is to get a few extra ties under it and paint the track rusty brown. It looks almost as nice as gargraves, which I like the most..

[laz 57]

DAVE,
I started with the 0-27 track and it is good if you are going to run just the 0-27 engines and cars on it. But if you really get hooked like we all are then go up to the 0-42 and 054 in the 0-27 tracks scheme. I started out just wanting a starter set that has bloomed into a rail kingdom, with bigger engines and larger cars especially passenger cars they will take switches better. It is in what you want to do. Just my[2c]
Laz 57

[cnw1995]

As others have also noted, the nice thing about 027 track for me - apart from its lower profile, lower price, and its ubiquitousness (you can find it anywhere)- is that it keeps me from hankering after larger engines - though I'm surprised at what can successfully be run on 027

[Anonymous]

I use Atlas O track. I had the old 027 and its fine, but it was old. I figured there are enough things that can go wrong (wiring, bad motors, bad bulbs) I did not want to worry about the track. I have run my Atlas O track so much that the black on top of the middle rail is gone too, time to paint it again.

My only issue with Atlas is the slowness they have shown in creating the Atlas O Roadbed. I cannot finish my track layout until I have the product, to till then I have spent my roadbed allowence on more rolling stock and engines.

Take care and good luck.

Mtraininjax