O scale rails question

[Anonymous]

what is the diffrence between two and three rail tracks for O scale. Can one be run outdoors and one not? Do u use the same locos for them ,or diffrent ones? Is one better than the other?

[Anonymous]

Three rail O (like Lionel) has a third rail because their engines have a little wheel under the locomotive that picks up power from this rail. The main wheels don't pick up electrical power at all, they just make the locomotive go. Two rail O works the same way as HO, N, S, G, etc.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Neither one should be run outdoors. Two rail O trains are just like HO and N only much larger. The engines are very different on the inside, though they may look the same on the outside. The cars can be the same size for both, but the couplers and wheels are also very different. Are you planning on buying some? Both can take up a lot of space, but the 3 rail type can go around much sharper curves.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

The main wheels don't pick up electrical power at all, they just make the locomotive go.

The main wheels two pick up power, the two outside rails are electrically connected to each other, and isolated from the middle rail.

[spankybird]

Hi all,

There are some people who do run O gauge outside. GarGraves makes (3 rail ) a stainless steel track with plastic ties for this purpose.

[FJ and G]

In addition, Atlas nickel silver track can be used outdoors. Trains must be die-cast, otherwise, sun fades them. Solution is to run trains outside in early morning or late evening or when overcast (but not raining). Also, bring trains indoors or store them in waterproof shed.

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There are 2 command control systems for 3-rail track: Lionel's TMCC and MTH's DCS. 3-rails doesn't conform to NMRA standards.

2-rail track can run conventional, DCC and now there's TMCC for 2 rails.

Plenty of choices.

[IRONROOSTER]

Also 3 rail is AC and two rail is DC. 3 rail (Lionel, MTH, KLine) uses very oversized flanges, couplers, and rail. 2 rail is more scale. 3 rail is simpler to wire. 2 rail requires larger radius curves 36" radius for small engines/cars up to 72" radius for the largest engines/cars. 3 rail small engines/cars can run on 27" diameter (13.5" radius) up to 72" diameter (36" radius) for the largest engines/cars. Neither one is better per se, it's up to you.
Enjoy
Paul

[FJ and G]

Paul,

Nearly correct. 2-rail AC is offered, using TMCC. This is a fairly recent development that you may not have been aware of. Lots of HO people are moving into 2-rail O because of the new, enhanced sound effects and realistic operations using the 2-rail TMCC.

Reg. 3-rail, a number of modelers use Kadee couplers which are not oversized. A much smaller segment operate on Code 148. The division between toy and scale has decreased as many 3-rail layouts have equal or even better scenery and structures and detailing than HO or N modelers.

Also, there is a tiny fraction of 3-railers who run the 3rd rail as stud rail, similar to Marklin HO.

[IRONROOSTER]

FJ and G,

Was not aware that there was 2 rail AC outside of S scale American Flyer ( and compatibles) - interesting. O scale has long had scale modelers using outside third rail, but I hadn't heard of running Lionel size flanges on 3 rail code 148 - do you have to handlay the track and make the turnouts yourself or is there commercial support?

Just goes to show that where creative minds gather many solutions are found.
Enjoy
Paul

[FJ and G]

Iron Rooster,

Yes, Atlas makes some really nice scale-looking 2-rail diesels that run on AC and use TMCC.

You are correct about the turnouts. You have to make them yourself with code 148 or the flanges will get stuckk in the flangeway.

The distinction between "toy trains" and scale trains has blurred a lot more than you may realize because so many HO and N scale people who got into 3 rails in the last 10 years are demanding it.

There are exciting things happening in the world of model railroading, for sure.