Connecting Atlas O track to MTH Realtrax

[jefelectric]

I am planning to expand my Realtrax layout using Atlas O track. Any suggestions in making the transition. The realtrax center rail in very near the same height as Atlas but the outside rails of the realtrax are much higher than the atlas rails.

[Anonymous]

Is there a particular reason you want to mix the two? Frankly, I would avoid the mix since my personal feeling is that, even if you're able to creat an effective transition, the two won't look all that great together. I used RealTrax in the past, but more recently switched over to FasTrack for my Christmas layout. Atlas track remains my favorite, but I reserve that stuff for layouts that are closer to Hi-Rail in concept.

It's your railroad and you should certainly do what you want, but I'm just curious about why you are considering a mix of the two different track types?

[jefelectric]

I would agree with you that mixing is not a good idea in most situation. In my situation it should work. My present layout is in a finished are of my basement with no room to grow. I am planning and have started to install a 12 wide shelf to the wall of the adjoining unfinished area of my basement. I will be penitrating the wall using a tunnel portal (not the most prototypical, but that is why I'm not modeling in HO as I used to do). Anyway the transition will be done at that point and the 5 X 13 layout in the next room will be mainly used as a staging area with three half loops of track to store trains and a few sidings to store extra rolling stock.. I want to use Atlas since I can get long switches #7.5 to make for fairly foolproof operation of this out of site location.
John

[Anonymous]

Thanks, John! That clears it up. Now hopefully someone who has done a transition of the type you're looking for will come forward with an answer to your question. I wish I could be of help, but I've never tried mixing track types/brands within a single layout, aside from having independent loops comprised of two different types of track on some occasions (Atlas, for example) with a separate inner loop of O27 for a trolley line).

[Anonymous]

OK, you can get an short adapter section from RealTrax to O and then use the O style pin adapters from Atlas to get from O to Atlas. I'm not sure about what you mean re the size differences? The Atlas track and the RealTrax that I have all have the same size rails, its just that the center ones are blackened.

BTW, We did mix RealTrax, Gargraves, Atlas and standard O on a floor layout once. Partially to use some O22 switches and an Atlas switch. I think you can pretty much mix everything but MTH ScaleTrax if you really want to. Not saying it's a good idea, but you can do it.

Product links:

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=20014945

http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/ukj_2.htm

[jefelectric]

Thanks chuckn,

Your idea looks like the easiest solution & I can do it out of sight in the tunnel connecting the two sectins of the layout. The realtrax that I have definately has two sizes of rail the black center rail is about 7/32" high and the outside rails are about 9/32" high. They are of course level on top but the center rail appears to set on top of the simulated ties while the outside rails are recessed into the ties. Take a close look at the end of a section if you have one handy. Actually the center rail even has a different cross section than the outside rails.

[Anonymous]

I haven't used RealTrax in several years and had to go dig up a chunk in the basement:). You're correct. Center rail is different. I never noticed that before. Good luck with your project.