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So as I have mentioned in other posts, I am getting back into O scale after an absence of 25 years.  I still have a box full of 0-72 and O-42 curves and another box of O gauge straight sections.  I would prefer to stay with tubular track.  

That said, I have been looking at track for sale on Evilbay.   I plan to use as much wide radius as I can and keep the O-31 to a minimum.  As far as turnouts go, I don't see much in the way of O-72 turnouts at this point.  But I have just begun searching.  

I have looked at Fastrack in the catalog and have seen you guys talk about it here.  It's more expensive than tubular O gauge however.  

Basically, I would like your thoughts on the different systems.

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If you have a lot of tubular, and you want to stay with that system, do yourself a favor and get Ross Custom Switches for your turnouts. They have a tinplate series that matches up with Lionel tubular track. I've used modern Lionel 31" and 72" turnouts in the past, and they are just horrible. I wouldn't put them on my layout if someone gave them to me.

I've been using postwar Lionel 022 switches on my layout that currently has 31" and 42" curves , but I'm in the process of redesigning the layout to have a minimum 72" radius and will be ordering the Ross switches. Also, if you want outside curves that go around the 72", Menards offers tinplate curves that are 96" that are supposed to match right up to Lionel tubular. Gargraves also has curves in many different diameters, but I believe you would need to shim those to match up with the Lionel track hight.  If money were not an issue, I'd toss it all out and go with the Gargraves track and Ross switches.

Best of luck with your layout. Post pictures.

 

Tim

Last edited by Timothy Sprague

Without discussing other tack systems, sticking to traditional tubular you have more options now that for quite some time.  Menards track offers a large selection of curves now with brand new prices less than used track in other brands.  There may be some issues with loose pin connections that will require squeezing with pliers.  I believe Menards offers O31,O36, O42, O54, O72 and O96.  single pieces run $3-$4 each, and in cases of 24 they drop to $2-$2.50 a piece.  30 inch straights are also 5 bucks each, or less than 3 bucks in a case.  

When it comes to switches, I'll agree that Ross probably makes the best switch.  They are a little pricey, but offer tubular switches that will mate up directly with your tubular track.  Another option may be to use Fast track switches with the adaptor pieces to switch back to tubular track, if you will have only a few switches and large area's of the layout without switches. 

JGL

Greg Houser posted:

Fyi...you won't find much in the way of O-gauge at New Hope.   If you are within an hour or New Hope you might as well go to the Greenburg show in Somerset instead.  Say what you will about Greenburg shows but it will be far better than New Hope.

-Greg

Thanks, I haven't been to the New Hope show for a long, long time.  It was pretty good when I used to go, but still not as good as others at the time, like Gilbertsville.  

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