HO 3 rail track

[Anonymous]

I have recently returned to the hobby and am in the preplanning stages for a new layout. I have a collection of Marklin trains so, the layout need to use 3-rail track. I do not, however, want to be restricted to Marklin's track offerings. I have searched the internet and asked at local hobby stores of some possible suppliers of HO 3 rail track but have come up empty. Does anyone know of a possible supplier? Also, if none exist, has anyone built their own 3-rail HO track and have any resources they could share with me? To get started, I am thinking of just purchacing some standard code 100 flex track and then gluing code 55 rail to the center of the tie. I have not measured the Marklin track yet so, the sizes may need to change. I would also plan to use Marklin turnouts, crossings, etc(most likely K-track) until I could work out how to convert the 2-rail counterparts to 3-rail operation.

[Anonymous]

Apparently PECO supports adding a center stud strip to their track and turnouts to convert it to 3-rail. Has anyone had any experience doing this?

[Anonymous]

I would think that the 3rd rail would have to be the same code as the running rails. If it wasn't i can't see how trains would run over switch tracks or crossings..
I might be wrong though.

[nfmisso]

Marklin is the only one to use the three rail system in HO. You are basically on your own if you want to hand lay or modify. People who run Marklin use Marklin track.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vbaglivio

I would think that the 3rd rail would have to be the same code as the running rails. If it wasn't i can't see how trains would run over switch tracks or crossings..
I might be wrong though.

What Marklin does is they raise the center contacts to above the rails when going over crossings so the slider does not contact the rails.

[tomikawaTT]

By going to stud contacts you can use standard HO track products. The 'third rail' is a line of contacts down the center of the track where the Marklin third rail would normally be. Easiest way I can think of would be to drive finishing nails between each pair of ties and solder a jumper along the protruding ends under the track support. The contacts would have to rise high enough to carry the collector shoe over turnout wing rails, and adjacent contacts (studs) should be very close to the same height.

A modification which would retain the 'three rail' look would reduce the number of nails, but connect them above the ties with pieces of ordinary rail soldered to the nailheads.
Since the third rail is subject only to downward pressure, immense physical strength is not required.

[Anonymous]

I ran Marklin for many years...Stick to Marklin track. K track looks as good as it gets for studded track when it is painted and ballasted...Click on the link in my signature to see some examples of k track on my old layout.... Forget about conversion of equipment to and fromm 3 rail...I looked into it and decided that it was more work than it was worth for a variety of reasons..One that most people are not aware of is that Marklin uses the NEM standard for wheel width Slightly narroweer than NMRA standards. Not noticeable to the eye, but enough to cause headaches. E mail me off forum if your want more info