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What Track Do You Use?

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Posted by 3railguy on Friday, September 5, 2008 7:52 AM
 jefelectric wrote:
 mpzpw3 wrote:

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.

John Long Give me Magnetraction or give me Death.
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Posted by fifedog on Friday, September 5, 2008 7:02 AM

Southwest Chief - Handsome setup you have there.Thumbs Up [tup]

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

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Posted by brianel027 on Friday, September 5, 2008 6:51 AM

"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.

.

brianel, Agent 027

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Posted by Southwest Chief on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:46 PM

 traindaddy1 wrote:
MATT:    Beautiful.......How big is the layout?

Thanks Blush [:I]

Length 114", width 78 1/2"

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
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Posted by prewardude on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:21 PM

MTH Standard gauge, Lionel O gauge tubular.

 - Clint 

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Posted by jefelectric on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:12 PM
 mpzpw3 wrote:

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.

John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
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Posted by jefelectric on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:09 PM
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.
John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
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Posted by ADCX Rob on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:09 PM
 overall wrote:

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 

Rob

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Posted by traindaddy1 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 6:58 PM
MATT:    Beautiful.......How big is the layout?
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Posted by rickoshay on Thursday, September 4, 2008 5:22 PM
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. Smile [:)]
Rich Riley Where the N&WRy meets Lionel Lines
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Posted by willpick on Thursday, September 4, 2008 5:14 PM
Christmas tree layout is Realtrax, with 2 switches. So far, it's been flawless. Permanent layout is all Atlas. Had some problems with the switches, but fixed them all--.

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Posted by billbarman on Thursday, September 4, 2008 4:36 PM
On my old floor layout I used lionel fastrack and for a few years it worked perfectly then the train started to go extreamly fast on one part of the layout and extreamly slow on others. so I cleaned the track but it still happened. Then I started hear buzzing between where the tracks connected and it got really hot there. But I still like the system I used it for 3 years with no problems. Now I use tubular because theres nothing more reliable... Not to mention its cheap! Big Smile [:D] 

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Posted by ben10ben on Thursday, September 4, 2008 4:15 PM

"You are lucky if you got anything to work on those switches. What a disaster those switches were and they should be on the top ten list of toy train blunders. I pity dealers who were stuck with them."

I have three on my layout, and they have been absolutely flawless. They're considerably more reliable than postwar O22s, work consistently at lower voltage, and are much smoother. Plus, I like that I can make closer spaced yard sidings than is possible with O22s. 

Kookjock also has several of these installed on his layout, and reports no trouble with them. 

If anyone has any of these switches which they were "stuck" with, send me an e-mail and I'd be more than happy to take them off your hands. I love the ones I have. 

Ben TCA 09-63474
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Posted by Southwest Chief on Thursday, September 4, 2008 4:02 PM

We use Ross track exclusively (both switches and track).  We have never experienced any troubles whatsoever and don't have to clean the track as much as HO.

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
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Posted by mpzpw3 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 3:39 PM

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!

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Posted by 3railguy on Thursday, September 4, 2008 3:25 PM

 phillyreading wrote:

Had to replace too many Lionel 6-23011 & 23010 switches, these switches are most unfriendly to Williams engines, something about using a Lionel 6-23010 or 23011 with a Williams engine, once you run a Williams engine within two track sections(any direction) of those switches they go bad inside the switch.

Lee F.

You are lucky if you got anything to work on those switches. What a disaster those switches were and they should be on the top ten list of toy train blunders. I pity dealers who were stuck with them.

John Long Give me Magnetraction or give me Death.
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Posted by jd-train on Thursday, September 4, 2008 2:49 PM

My 5'x6' Christmas layout uses my older MTH Realtrax along with two 0-31 turnouts.

My new permanent 11'x14' (soon to be 11'x17') layout uses Ross turnouts, with Gargraves sectional for the curves, Gargraves flex track for the straights, and Gargraves uncoupler sections.

Jim

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Posted by phillyreading on Thursday, September 4, 2008 1:39 PM

I use GarGraves and 027 on my second level and GarGraves and O gauge 042 track on the lower level with GarGraves switches. Used GarGraves switches for a replacement of Lionel switches(6-23010), problems with derailments solved for me. Other nice thing about GarGraves & Ross switches is that the motor can be replaced while the switch is still mounted in the layout.

Had to replace too many Lionel 6-23011 & 23010 switches, these switches are most unfriendly to Williams engines, something about using a Lionel 6-23010 or 23011 with a Williams engine, once you run a Williams engine within two track sections(any direction) of those switches they go bad inside the switch.

My upper level is 027 track with 27 inch curves around the ceiling of my train room.

Have not used Atlas O gauge track or Fastrac or MTH Realtrax. Tried to sell some new and never used Fastrac at local train show and no luck.

Lee F.

 

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Posted by 3railguy on Thursday, September 4, 2008 1:36 PM

See what you started Chief? Shame on you!!!

I have experienced practically all the track systems and have samplings stashed away. Tubular O31 has been my long time favorite but it is beginning to take a back seat to Lionel Fastrack. Fastrack is expensive but it looks and works great with postwar Lionel and MPC. It seems I can blast trains at full throttle through the switches and crossings without a hitch. I also like it for its ease of use and variety.

MTH Realtrax is OK I guess. I just don't care for the widely spaced ties, zero magnetic permability with magnetraction, and the way the contact strips work.

John Long Give me Magnetraction or give me Death.
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Posted by dougdagrump on Thursday, September 4, 2008 1:35 PM
Wonder if anyone has experimented with expanding foam on the Fastrack to help deadin noise or does it get to rigid when it cures ?

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, September 4, 2008 12:53 PM
I used Reltrax.  No connectivity problems as I solder long sections together to help.  I think, once laid out and screwed down, it is not a problem.  The switches have been a problem but hopefully that will improve.  Fastrac is great too.  Some say noisey.  Toy trains are going to be noisey.  With homasote or soundstop underlayment, noise is reduced.  Gargraves andRoss switches seems the be the most popular. 

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Posted by traindaddy1 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 12:45 PM
George......Thanks for the advice.
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Posted by overall on Thursday, September 4, 2008 12:35 PM

Traindaddy1,

 

You might think about using 027 profile track along with Ross Custom Switches. It comes in radii up to 054.The money saved on the track can go toward better switches. Just a thought.

George

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Posted by traindaddy1 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 10:49 AM

Lionel O27 Tubular..I have an extremely tight budget and very limited income.  Also, being a "player" rather than "modeler", the track looks just fine.   Of course, when I close my eyes  Zzz [zzz] I  dream of Gargraves and Ross.  Thanks for asking.

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Posted by krapug1 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 10:45 AM

 

I use Fastrack for the main level of my layout, with some 0 gauge tubular used in my Union Station complex.  For switches I use Fastrack 036 and some 022 used with the adapter track.

 My elevated track section is Marx 034, using a combination of Marx metal track elevators and Lionel trestles.  This section uses no switches.

 

Ken  

 

 

 

 

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Posted by overall on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:38 AM

I used lionel O gauge tubular,O22 switches,lionel 027 tubular,GarGrave switches and 072 switches on the first part of my layout. I used Atlas O on the second part of my layout added later. Out of all of them, I like the Atlas the best. I have had to solder jumpers across some of the Atlas track joiners, but other than that, no problems.

George

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Thursday, September 4, 2008 9:20 AM

Fastrack - Easy to use, dosen't come apart.  Yes noise is an issue, but I can live with it.

Started looking at Atlas O, looks nice, price is comparable, don't care for the switches, but I have to look into that a little closer.

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Posted by Doug T on Thursday, September 4, 2008 7:29 AM

After 48 years I am back to 3 rail again. I switched to HO back around 1960 and then to Large Scale around 1995.

I will be setting up with Atlas Century 21 track and switches. I was told it is a good track system. Seeing as I have no close by hobby shops (all are over 50 miles away) and no friends that are into model trains close by. I am pretty much on my own and will probably make a few mistakes along the way.

I will be attempting to model O 3 rail scale. I saw that term used on another forum. 

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, September 4, 2008 7:12 AM

K-Line tubular track on Johnson's rubber roadbed (grey-out of production).  I use Lionel switches (can't beat the reliability), and ROSS track on bridges (for appearance).

That being said, I like Lionel's new track for appearance and availabilty.

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Posted by kpolak on Thursday, September 4, 2008 5:14 AM

Chuck:  Your weathering looks Awesome!  Care to post a tutorial?

I'm with ben10ben.  My permanent layout consists of tinplate on foam roadbed with 022 switches and UCS's.  I like the look of the toy trains.  I am leaning toward more realistic scenery, and with a little weathering and ballast the tinplate rails fit right in.  There's a lot of used track out there, and you get more bang for the buck.

I also have Fastrack.  I received it as part of a starter set, and started using it for the Christmas layout, and for temporary outdoor layouts.  It's quick and easy to assemble, and one-piece plastic base keeps the underside of the trains free from whatever the track sits on, be it wood chips outdoors, carpet fibers, or the poly batting for Christmas.

Kurt

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