sncf231e posted:I put a question on Merkur track on the British 0 gauge tinplate forum and got this answer from Bruce Palmer:
Merkur track is basically the same dimensions as the other Tinplate makes such as Hornby and JEP . The depth of the rail section is possibly a millimetre or so less but this makes no practical difference and it can be joined to all the other types without problems . The rail pins are virtually the same as Lionel so the ends of the rail needs reaming out slightly to accommodate Hornby pins at least ...again this is no problem .
Regarding running other makes of locos and rolling stock on Merkur the rail section will take anything , even with deep flanges such as the Bowman 234 here in the UK . The tightest radius Merkur curves are 625mm which of course roughly the same as other manufacturers ..2 foot in the UK .
The points are basically the same as Hornby with a moving plate and therefore do NOT have frogs or check rails like Lionel , so they can accommodate varied back to back wheel dimensions and are universal . Merkur 900mm points can replace the Lionel 072 and are half the price !
We have run lots of makes of locomotives through Merkur points , although I cant recall ever trying JEP .Any problems would be with the gaps in the 3rd rail for the collector shoes but its worth pointing out the Merkurs own locomotives have a spacing betweebn spoons on their collectors of 75mm or less whilst for most other makes it can be up to 100mm.
There has been some incorrect information put out on the internet about modern Lionel not being compatible with Merkur points ...this simply is not true and several people run it over them without problems. I think it was more Lionel operators not being familiar with Hornby type moving plates ...
so , Yes ..you can run anything on Merkur ...... Bruce
This is great information. I have high hope that this will work. The track and switches look great from the pictures!
I am buying the manual switch for now. I may try to add a US switch machine to it. I did not understand the servo-electric switch machines and controller, so I have avoided those at this time.
George
