Track choice

[lionelsoni]

I have bought O34 when I found it in decent shape at train shows.  My O42-O54-O72 is all K-Line.  I stocked up when Lionel took them over.  I now have what I think is a lifetime supply of all these, plus K-Line 36-inch straights.  I haven't looked; but I would think that the extinct K-Line sizes could be found on E-Bay and at shows, just like the O34, which hasn't been made for many years.

For turnouts, I am using Lionel O27, Marx O34, and Lionel and K-Line O42.  I cut down turnouts as needed--there's not much left of the 512x's in my yard throat.

[KRM]

lionelsoni

I use O27-profile track, with O27, O34, O42, O54, and O72 curves.

 First off,,, my is thank you all for your

 I run Lionel 027 with 42" 54" and some Marx 34" and on my small inner loop I use 27". I do like the profile.

I don't like the Lionel switches much and 42" is the largest I can get and as far as I know 54" is the widest Lionel curve,

 Bob, Who's track are you using? I would like some 72" curves and wider switches for the 10'x6' addition.

 Tks,

 Kev.

[anjdevil2]

I have had professional experience with several track manufacturers and this is my conclusion:

Fastrack is great, can be reconfigured anytime and the electrical continuity/connectivity is superior.  Noisy.

Atlas "O" is marvelous, looks and runs good.  MagneTraction won't work as it's nickle/silver alloy. Quiet. As stated, it's possible the shoes/plates build up resistance, but I have not seen it in6 years of operation.

Tubular/Legacy 3 rail: The real deal, cheap and nostalgic.  Classic "toy" look.  Can come apart if not assembled correctly or secured.  Mega amounts of accessories.

ReaTrax: Poor imitation of FasTrack. Connectivity issues, switches prone to failure. 

I have no experience with ScaleTrax, GarGraves or Ross.

For temporary layouts I rely on Fastrack.  I have amassed a fair amount Atlas O for my permanent layout.  I'm not necessarily sold on the Atlas switches, but Ross and GarGraves (so I'm told) connect to Atlas with no issues.  So, this remains (for me) a viable option.

[RockIsland52]

A lot of solid, valid viewpoints here, practical ones to boot. What about which track appears more realistic?  Or how important is the nostalgia of the O27 look?  Or the toy train look?  What about the appearance of each track choice on open elevated sections.....where the underside of the track may be in view? 

I have been totally happy for decades with the many advantages O27 tubular (and up).  Strangely, my wife liked the FasTrak I bought for the Christmas layout a couple of years back.  Never thought she would even notice or care.  She thought it looked more realistic.  I wasn't stupid enough to tell her what it cost per section (or switch).. 

The latter does snap together, stay together, and I don't experience the old power drops requiring (as many) jumpers or soldering track joints.

Jack

[lionelsoni]

I use O27-profile track, with O27, O34, O42, O54, and O72 curves.

[phillyreading]

I like the looks of 031, but need the curve spacing of 042 for some of my trains. Also use 027 for some of my layout, easy to work with and can be cut to fit like other tubular track, also easy to mate up to Gargraves switches.

[servoguy]

I use O-31 tubular track for 8 reasons:  1. It is very cheap.  I usually pay 50 cents to a dollar for a section.  2. The 022 switches work very reliably after I restore them.  3. I can cut the track to any length I want.  4. I can cut down the 022 switches to make yards or sidings with the tracks close together.  5. The 022 switches are cheap, usually less than $10 each.  I can buy wider diameter track than O-31:  42, 54, 60, 72, and I can buy switches for these wider curves.  7. The track is much quieter than FasTrack.  8. I can get a lot of track in a small space.

[overall]

I have had good luck with the Atlas track system. The only draw back with it is that the rail joiners can build up resistance over a period of time and cause dead spots. This is very easiliy over come by soldering jumpers around the rail joiners when this happens. Atlas switches operate very well. I very seldom have a derailment while running trains through them. Also, I have had good luck with the Ross Custom Switches too. Once again, I very seldom have derailments while running trains through them.

George

[rtraincollector]

if you click on this link it will take you to another post basiclly about the same thing and it may give you some answers your looking for at present it about 6 post down from you but that can change by the minute http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/213786.aspx 

[tfabrizio]

Hey guys,

I recently moved into a new house that has a large basement! I am looking to build a layout that is approx 16x8 and I mostly operate postwar trains. 

Anwyay, I am looking at all of the track types that are available on the market today and I am wondering what you guys think of them. I have experience with FastTrack (just around the Xmas Tree) and 027 tubular track (switches were a pain). As far as the other brands go, what do you guys think of them? What is the best track type and brand on the market today? Are there reliable switches available for 027 track?

Thanks.