track

[Anonymous]

Actually the idea is I want to run the larger curve on the new layout. I didn't know who made the better track system that is still affordable. Remember O-72 curves are 6 ft. wide so using half of that would be no problem on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Any other info would be appreciated. Also, for those of you in the San Francisco -- San Jose Bay Area the next Gats show is at the Fairgrounds on Tully Rd. here in San Jose on Sept. 24 &25.

Thanks, Dave

[lionelsoni]

If your flatcar is anything like the Lionel version, you could modify it as I did my 51600, which now handles O27 curves with room to spare.

The two trucks on each end are connected by a span bolster; and the body is pivoted at a center bearing at the middle of that span bolster. I created a new center bearing directly on the inner truck, actually slightly closer to the middle of the body than the middle of the truck, since there was a convenient hole there on the truck for a second screw. Then I cut each end off the body at about the middle of the span bolster and mounted it directly to the span bolster, spaced up to a different height to clear the main floor of the car. I cut away some of the casting under that cut off piece that would have interfered with the main floor on curves, squared it up, and touched up the paint on the bare spots.

The result is now fascinating to watch as it snakes around tight curves. The separate end platforms are actually more prototypical than the way Lionel made the car. The changed center-bearing geometry is not correct, but it is impossible to tell that when the car is on straight track and virtually impossible when it is in motion around a curve.

[Anonymous]

The single car is a depressed transformer car with 4 trucks, I believe MTH. I want to pick-up a couple more of these. The layout will have 1.5 (4x8) running length wise on the left, 2 (4x8) in the middle, and I hope 2 (4x8) on the right. The layout is going to move to the master bedroom at my Dad's house. It needs more room to grow. The Lionel trains were my Dad's.
The 0-72 curves should be wide enough to run the larger cars. Just haven't decided what track is approriate.
The layout was on a 8x8 table but that isn't long enough.

Dave

[daan]

Well dasan, that depends on the space you have for your layout and what you want to do with it. If using 031 curves, a lot of trains can run on them, but not all. It gives you a whole lot of extra space though to put more tracks on and make a more interesting layout.
If you want to run scale engines you probably can't go around 072 curves. The bigger machines require bigger curves.. I run on 031 and I can use a lot of different engines. If the scale version is too big, mostly there is a "toytrain" version which is a bit shorter and able to handle the radii.
If you have only one car requering the bigger curves, you could opt for selling it and buy another car able to handle the curves you got.
Make a trackplan, use at least a pair of loops to be able to run the other direction (gives a lot more operating possibilities).
The brand of track depends on the engines. If you have a lot of magnetraction, I would go for the simple tubular rail. Other brands are not available here (apart from scarce new Lionel which is very expensive). The switches are available in both electric and handoperated with all brands and an underfloor motor for handswitches is always another simple solution to make them electric.
If you have a layoutplan, go to a dealer with multiple kinds of track and find out what track looks best for your money.

[Anonymous]

I have mostly O-27 with one car that requires O-72 curves. What track is best for my layout. Between Atlas-O, Gargraves, K-Line, Lionel( current ). I don't want to use manual switches.