Track for a new layout - wondering if the latest developments might steer me somewhere new

[Anonymous]

I've read some of the other posts, but I didn't really see the answers to my particular situation. So here's what I'm dealing with:

 

I recently moved to Southeast Indianapolis, and as far as I can tell the nearest major hobby shop is Hobbytown USA. I tend to like to buy track where I can get my hands on it, but since it's a bit of a drive, and making multiple trips is something I strongly want to avoid, I want to have a good idea of what I'm going to get before I make the drive.

 

I'm building a layout that's going to occupy roughly a 10.5' x 12' area, I'm planning to have a 2' wide isle down the center with an oval on each side, each oval will be switched to connect to the other and provide a large outer oval. Inside one side I'm planning to put in a small yard (3 tracks) and the otherside is going to be mostly city.

 

This layout is all toy, realism is not a priority nor is quietness. My biggest motivation is entertaining my son who is currently about to turn 18 months old. I had a good sized dog-bone layout back in Michigan before I had to relocate due to work, and this time I'm building with him in mind.

 

I have O-27 track by the ton, but how much is in usable condition is another matter. I'm certain I won't have enough usable track for my new layout in its entirety, if I can use what I have with whatever I buy new, that will be important. I'm not opposed to anything like Realtrax or something by Atlas if there is some convenient means of connecting it to O-27 that won't result in derailments.

 

A prime reason for me to consider something other than O-27 is the simple fact that the last time I bought it back in Michigan, the hobby store I visitted at the time had it on clearance... I'm gathering that Lionel has discontinued tubular track. I'm actually disappointed, I worked at Lionel and I left to finish college a few months before manufacturing was shut down in Mount Clemens.

 

Anyways, cost is a top consideration, I still havent sold the home we moved out of in Michigan! I need radii available in the 54,42 and some small range, be that 27, 30, 34 or whatever. Cutting sections of track to match things up is not something I have any problem doing.

 

I'll be running a very wide variety of stuff... From Thomas the Tank to post-war F-3's, SD-40's, aluminum cars, madison cars, coal dumpers, whatever. As much as I like scenery, this is just going to be a nice flat plywood top, it'll be 2' off the floor so my boy can see it without having to be picked up. He'll be running it and hiding his toys under it, I'm sure he'll be crashing everything. He's figured out how to operate the throttle and the whistle since he was about 1.

 

Oh yeah, I am in good shape on switches in the O-27 and O-42 tube track department, and I don't think there's any way I could budget for new switches.

 

I've been into the hobby since before anything I can remember, but having a son to build for gives me feeling like I know what the hobby is about for the first time in my life.

[Frank53]

Welcome to the forum Will.

I've got three words for you:

TUBE-U-LAR

You can buy it  used by the bushelbasket if you chose for next to nothing. It fits what you are doing layout wise, and it will be a lot less work - particularly for a toy train layout - and a lot less expensive.

Lionel still makes it new, as well.

 

 

[jchase1970]

I live in southeast Indiana and I drive to Indy to goto Train Express on Zionville rd.  They have great service and great prices too.  I would really recommend these folks as you are so close.  If you have a good selection of o-27 stay with it if cost is a factor, it's not discountinued and Train Express stocks alot of it.

 

John

 

[trigtrax]

O-27 profile is also available in an O-42 and O-54 Diameters and K-line did make an O-72 (I don't know how much of that is still around )

You shouldn't have a problem getting track and if you like tubular there's no reason to switch.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have ordered from Train Express in the past and their service has been outstanding.   I have visited their store, old and new, and they are stocked.

There is another train store on East Washington, just inside the outer-belt. 

You can use Lionel's website to find dealers in your area. 

WATT's Train Shop is near Zionsville, but they are a Garden RR Store.  Stop in and look around, it is fascinating.

[Dave Farquhar]

The Hobbytown USA near me (in St. Louis) has tubular 027-profile in both O42 and O54 diameters. Even if O27 tubular were discontinued tomorrow (it won't be), there's so much of it in the channel you'd be able to buy it for several years, most likely.