What Track Do You Use?

[rickoshay]

I'm about a month away from setting up my first (other than my childhood in the 50's) layout and will be using 027 tubular with 1122 switches. All of my trains are late 40's/early 50's Lionel. We've planned a Fifties era layout complete with corregated "brick paper" around the bottom of the platform.

[traindaddy1]

MATT:    Beautiful.......How big is the layout?

[ADCX Rob]

Traindaddy1,

 

You might think about using 027 profile track...  It comes in radii up to 054...

George

I have quite a bit of O72 in O-27 profile...

Rob 

[jefelectric]

I have Realtrax on my older layout and Atlas on the new section.  I am happy with both.  A few swithch problems with the realtrax but nothing major.  If starting over I would go with all Atlas.  One note, if you are buying Atlas be sure you are getting new stock, some of the older swithches had problems and some dealers that don't move a lot might still have some of them on the shelf.

[jefelectric]

Interesting, and again, I'm wrong.

Here are the results so far (Sorry Marx and K-line track users, I'm lumping you in with Lionel tubular.):

Tubular: 10 people

Gargraves and or Ross: 3

Fastrack: 7

Realtrax: 3

Atlas: 2

Not really what I was expecting. I was thinking Ross and Gargraves would be right under tubular. Fastrack looks to be more popular than I thought. When the weekend is over, I will re-tally. Thanks to everyone who has posted!

Keep in mind that this is the CTT forum and tubular track and classic toy trains go together.  Other forums might give you a different result.

[prewardude]

MTH Standard gauge, Lionel O gauge tubular.

 - Clint 

[Southwest Chief]

MATT:    Beautiful.......How big is the layout?

Thanks

Length 114", width 78 1/2"

[brianel027]

"Keep in mind that this is the CTT forum and tubular track and classic toy trains go together.  Other forums might give you a different result."

And to carry that thought process a little further, there are a good many people who read, but NEVER post anything on the train forums (plural). I know, I've talked to these people. I ask them why, and they say it's of no pressing interest, but they like to check things out. I think they approach the trains as more hobby and less of an obsession. And of those I know like this, it's 100% tubular: either 0 or 027. And their trains are either postwar, MPC or basic no-frills modern.

As for myself, it goes without saying: 027 track. It's affordable, easily modified, and made to look better with a little effort. And as CNW said, that's the track I got when I started buying sets and getting into the hobby. A few K-Line Cross Country sets and I had several engines, enough cars and enough track to really get going.

I know there's nicer stuff out there I know, but count me odd... I don't want it. I don't even wish I could have it. I actually really like the trains I have!! I do.

They didn't cost a fortune and that none have ever needed factory repairs. And I have MPC locos with 35+ years on them that still work, as do all my orginal K-Line Alcos, S-2's and MP-15's and lastly my publically misaligned starter Lionel 4-4-2 steamers.

.

[fifedog]

Southwest Chief - Handsome setup you have there.

All this talk of Christmas layouts....you folks better post some pics on Sunday Photo Fun over the holidays...

[3railguy]

Interesting, and again, I'm wrong.

Here are the results so far (Sorry Marx and K-line track users, I'm lumping you in with Lionel tubular.):

Tubular: 10 people

Gargraves and or Ross: 3

Fastrack: 7

Realtrax: 3

Atlas: 2

Not really what I was expecting. I was thinking Ross and Gargraves would be right under tubular. Fastrack looks to be more popular than I thought. When the weekend is over, I will re-tally. Thanks to everyone who has posted!

Keep in mind that this is the CTT forum and tubular track and classic toy trains go together.  Other forums might give you a different result.

Agreed. Not a lot of hi railers posting here like we see on OGR. Results vary. Gargraves, Atlas, and Ross would win hands down amongst a hi rail group.

[joetrains]

   O gauge tubular with O-72 on the loop and O-31 on the other tracks. All track and switches are Lionel PW.  Track and equipment is late fifties or earlier.

[NH_Chris]

How about "all of the above"?  The layout I'm building now (I call it "Quick and Dirty #4") is made up of what I had laying around after getting rid of most of the Realtrax from my last layout.  It has an inner loop of Fastrack, passing siding and outer loop of Realtrax, a few Ross switches, and then a yard made up of Atlas track leading to Lionel and K-Line tubular track and switches. 

I built a few Realtrax layouts, but became disenchanted after a few flaky switches that fried themselves.  I've had trouble with Fastrack similar to one earlier poster (works fine then loses conductivity at the joints), so it's on probation on this layout.  In my mind's eye, I will build my next layout will Atlas track and Ross switches.  

My son's 4x8 layout is all O-27 tubular, but I am thinking of changing it over to K-Line Shadow Rail O-31 tubular, with plastic ties.

NH Chris

 

[JamesPH1966]

Marx 027 - with a couple 034 straights - on the current mini-layout (although I had to use some MPC-era Lionel straights when I eliminated some poorly planned s-curves - hopefully the spirits of Glen Dale and Girard will be forgiving).

The future big layout should be all Marx 034... 

 

[Deputy]

MTH Realtrax under the tree and the permanent setup will also be MTH Realtrax. I like that all the switches are lighted. If Lionel Fastrack had ALL their switches lighted instead of just the 036 switch, I'd probably use that. I plan on keping Chief "on call" for any track problems that might occur

[chuck]

If Lionel Fastrack had ALL their switches lighted instead of just the 036 switch, I'd probably use that.

All of the automatic/remote FastTrack switches have lighted switch lanterns.  I have an O-72 wye and it has the illuminated lantern.  The only FastTrack switches that don't have illuminated lanterns are the O-36 manuals.

[Deputy]

If Lionel Fastrack had ALL their switches lighted instead of just the 036 switch, I'd probably use that.

All of the automatic/remote FastTrack switches have lighted switch lanterns.  I have an O-72 wye and it has the illuminated lantern.  The only FastTrack switches that don't have illuminated lanterns are the O-36 manuals.

Hmmmm...this is very odd. In the Lionel catalog (2006 and online current) the only switch advertised as having a "lighted lantern" is the 036 remote switch. I looked on Ebay and there are some 060 switches that say they include the lighted lantern. The pictures Lionel shows only have the 036 switch with the lantern showing or any mention of the lantern. If Lionel is including a lantern with every automatic switch, then they are really missing the boat in telling people about it. If all their Fastrack switches do include the lanterns at the switches, I may reconmsider what track I will use for the permanent layout.

[Berk765]

I use Lionel O-27 track. Been using it ever since I first started out in the hobby.

[ADCX Rob]

If Lionel Fastrack had ALL their switches lighted instead of just the 036 switch, I'd probably use that.

All of the automatic/remote FastTrack switches have lighted switch lanterns.  I have an O-72 wye and it has the illuminated lantern.  The only FastTrack switches that don't have illuminated lanterns are the O-36 manuals.

Hmmmm...this is very odd. In the Lionel catalog (2006 and online current) the only switch advertised as having a "lighted lantern" is the 036 remote switch. I looked on Ebay and there are some 060 switches that say they include the lighted lantern. The pictures Lionel shows only have the 036 switch with the lantern showing or any mention of the lantern. If Lionel is including a lantern with every automatic switch, then they are really missing the boat in telling people about it. If all their Fastrack switches do include the lanterns at the switches, I may reconmsider what track I will use for the permanent layout.

From page 128 of the current catalog:

"• Red and green LEDs indicate switch position on remote switches—no need to change light bulbs or worry about heat build up"

Page 128

Rob 

[Deputy]

If Lionel Fastrack had ALL their switches lighted instead of just the 036 switch, I'd probably use that.

All of the automatic/remote FastTrack switches have lighted switch lanterns.  I have an O-72 wye and it has the illuminated lantern.  The only FastTrack switches that don't have illuminated lanterns are the O-36 manuals.

Hmmmm...this is very odd. In the Lionel catalog (2006 and online current) the only switch advertised as having a "lighted lantern" is the 036 remote switch. I looked on Ebay and there are some 060 switches that say they include the lighted lantern. The pictures Lionel shows only have the 036 switch with the lantern showing or any mention of the lantern. If Lionel is including a lantern with every automatic switch, then they are really missing the boat in telling people about it. If all their Fastrack switches do include the lanterns at the switches, I may reconmsider what track I will use for the permanent layout.

From page 128 of the current catalog:

"• Red and green LEDs indicate switch position on remote switches—no need to change light bulbs or worry about heat build up"

Page 128

Rob 

I took that to mean the lights mounted on the actual switch levers show red or green. All the pics of the switches, other than 036, don't show lanterns on the switches themselves.

 

[ADCX Rob]

I took that to mean the lights mounted on the actual switch levers show red or green. All the pics of the switches, other than 036, don't show lanterns on the switches themselves.

 

"On Switches"...  & heat build-up was a problem with bright bulbs on 022, 042, 711, & 721 switches w/ plastic lanterns.

Also, all pics show lanterns, except the O-36 manuals.  They're very small, though, & don't show up well in the pics.  

Rob

 

[Deputy]

I took that to mean the lights mounted on the actual switch levers show red or green. All the pics of the switches, other than 036, don't show lanterns on the switches themselves.

 

"On Switches"...  & heat build-up was a problem with bright bulbs on 022, 042, 711, & 721 switches w/ plastic lanterns.

Also, all pics show lanterns, except the O-36 manuals.  They're very small, though, & don't show up well in the pics.  

Rob

 

 

What pics are you looking at? The ones online just show the switch assemblies.

Pic of 036 switch

 

Pic of 072 switch:

 

 

 

[ADCX Rob]

Compare the O36 manual switches on page 129 of the print catalog to the rest on the page - the manual switches have switch stand position indicators, the remotes have lanterns.

Rob 

[Deputy]

Compare the O36 manual switches on page 129 of the print catalog to the rest on the page - the manual switches have switch stand position indicators, the remotes have lanterns.

Rob 

I can certainly see the switch stand indicators on the manual switches. But as I have been saying, I only see the lanterns on the 036 switch. And when you read the descriptions, the only switch that talks about the lanterns and actually displays it is the 036 switch. I have a confirmation from the OGR forum what Chuck said above. All the auto switches seem to come with the lanterns (thanks Chuck). But I sure don't see them displayed or described in the advertising.   

 

[laz 57]

Half layout is fasttrack in 0-72 and 0-48 along with Lionel tubular in 0-27 in 0-54 and 0-42 scheme.  All good no problems.

laz57

[Boyd]

Main sheet about 4'6"x about 10' with a small yard is all Fastrack, liftup bridge and climbing track is 027. 2/3 of the way up the climbing grade its Fastrack again for an "S" curve then back to 027 to the top.

[Heartman]

All Gargraves track & 32 switches on a 25' X 15' "P" shape 3 level layout.  Most all platform areas are 3 foot deep with 3' to 5' walk area in the middle.

 

Dennis

 

[ADCX Rob]

Compare the O36 manual switches on page 129 of the print catalog to the rest on the page - the manual switches have switch stand position indicators, the remotes have lanterns.

Rob 

I can certainly see the switch stand indicators on the manual switches. But as I have been saying, I only see the lanterns on the 036 switch. And when you read the descriptions, the only switch that talks about the lanterns and actually displays it is the 036 switch. I have a confirmation from the OGR forum what Chuck said above. All the auto switches seem to come with the lanterns (thanks Chuck). But I sure don't see them displayed or described in the advertising.

I can't do much better than Chuck, as I am in complete agreement, & I'm going by the catalog pictures and description.  It's very clear from page 128 of the current catalog:

"• Red and green LEDs indicate switch position on remote switches—no need to change light bulbs or worry about heat build up"

Page 128

And in the pictures, small as they are, the manual switches have switch stand position indicators, the remotes have lanterns.   The printed catalog is easier to make this out than online.

Rob

 

[Deputy]

Rob: I got enough confirmation from everyone that I believe you and Chuck. Maybe my eyes are too old to see the lanterns.

[zeames1]

My permanent layout is Atlas O. Christmas layout is Fastrack. I enjoy working with both. Atlas looks great and Fastrack is durable for the floor.

[Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760]

I use O-27 tubular track for the O-Gauge Layout, Postwar Gilbert track for my American Flyer Layout.

With the O-27 layout, I use Lionel, Marx, K-Line, and a Japanese Brand that I can't quite think of the name of for switches. I also use O-42 for the mainlines to allow for bigger locos to be used.