Lionel Super O track

You could try soldering it. I have done that with super O track in the distant past and it worked. Be careful with the plastic ties. The soldering gun or iron could melt them.

There was also a terminal track available. Not any in the lot?

I've soldered mine.  Just don't keep heat on the outside rail for long or you will melt the ties and mentioned above.

Chuck,

Unfortunately there was none in the box.

Superwarp1,

I will try that.

Any suggestions on what gauge of wire to use for the bus and then what to use that branches off the the track? Also how far should I space these connections to the track? Is it like 5ft or so?

In my experience the power and ground lockons can regularly be found on eBay.  I prefer to use the terminal track.  Since its an odd shaped piece you might need more than one to balance out if you are not also using the uncoupler track.  If you just need to add leads to the center rail, there are slots/holes cut in some of the center rails.  Snake a piece of wire through that slot and twist it off below the rail so it makes a tight connection.  I used to do this for jumpers on the curves.

The Power Bus Bar Connectors connect the center rail from track to track.  You can purchase the connectors, lock-on's or wire interconnect tracks on the bay but they are expensive considering what they are.

Is this how you would supply electricity to super o track if I didn't solder the wire to the rails?

Neat and clean 👍🏼🚂

@Jay81 posted:

Any suggestions on what gauge of wire to use for the bus and then what to use that branches off the the track? Also how far should I space these connections to the track? Is it like 5ft or so?

22 AWG

@shorling posted:

You can purchase the connectors, lock-on's or wire interconnect tracks on the bay but they are expensive considering what they are.

In absolute terms perhaps.  When you consider what most of us are paying for locomotives, cars and even track, not so much. 

Chuck, I have a few in fact I have a bunch of tracks I'm thinking of listing once I find it as I go thru the items under the train table as I'm deconstructing to build a new one.

A good alternative is NOT Gargraves Solderless Track Connectors here per Rob's reply below.

They attach like the LIONEL lock-on; i.e. a spade-type connection up through the bottom of the rail with a spring-tyle wire connection outside the ties--but won't work with Super O per Rob below.

@dorfj2 posted:

Neat and clean 👍🏼🚂

This is what I use as well... just don't connect to power as pictured ...

@Pingman posted:

A good alternative is Gargraves Solderless Track Connectors here.

These won't work, the rail webbing is not accessible, and there is no center rail webbing.

"... just don't connect to power as pictured ..."

Why not?

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

"... just don't connect to power as pictured ..."

Why not?

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

This is what I use as well... just don't connect to power as pictured ...

@dorfj2 posted:

Neat and clean 👍🏼🚂

Looks fine from here, turn it up!

Jay, The pic shows the copper power supply to the center rail tied to the gnd lock-on. The copper clip to the center buss is strictly power supply. do not attach to the grnd loc-on as pictured.  The grnd lock-on is strictly for the gnd wire.

Also part of this forum is a separate superO forum group.  You can fond a lot of answers to your questions there as well as parts, track, pins, clips, accessory track, etc.   lionelsuperotrack@groups.io

look up Mike Spanier.

I believe in simplicity: Merely insert an exposed wire into the hole for the #62 power lockon. Twist the exposed wire a few times underneath the rail to secure it and run the rest of the wire through a drilled hole underneath the track to the power.  If the Super "O" track is secured, the wire will not move. No need for soldering or fancy connections. No risk of melting ties. Easy to use, especially if using the manual turnouts with their built-in power blocks controlled by the direction of the points. Used in conjunction with the #61 ground lockon.

Mark

@TomSuperO posted:

The pic shows the copper power supply to the center rail tied to the gnd lock-on.

Could you circle in the pic where you see this?

I see that now. I also thought it looked to be connected wrong. Look close Rob, it takes a minute to see where they go through the table and are NOT connected. In fact, I had to check the photo 3 or 4 times to see it.

Jeff

@mowingman posted:

... it takes a minute to see where they go through the table...

Correct. This is a hole in the table with two black wires going down through.

Sorry for the confusion - yes two separate wires one ground one power

I’ve been using Lionel Super O number 61 Ground and 62 Power connectors forever - they work great

Single wire on 62 power connector

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

Not to change the subject, but was Lionel's Super-O track perhaps introduced to the market too soon?

I still admire the layout designed for Super-O that can be found on the inside and rear cover of their 1957 catalog.

I have heard that.  Lionel pushed after SF came up with their mote realistic track?

@ADCX Rob posted:

Correct. This is a hole in the table with two black wires going down through.

We are *all* illusionist now!!

Here's what I do.

Stranded wire is better. I took what was handy to demonstrate. When you secure the track, so is the wire. Attach the wire to the bus line. No issues to date.

Mark

Mark, for my supplemental power leads I did exactly what you are suggesting.  For the primary track connection though I would still use either a terminal track or the lock ons, especially on a permanent layout.  If a lead becomes loose it would likely only result in a slight power drop in that area of track.  If its the only feed though you'd have dead track.

Dorfj2

On the pin that attaches to the middle rail, how does it not make contact with the outside rail and cause a short?

Molded “brown plastic base” is under the outside rail

Also - postwar Lionel Super O dealer displays almost always had power and ground wires soldered to the rails  

I’ve seen many dealer layouts over the years and have never seen the plastic melted in any way - they were pretty good at what they did 😊

I’ll post a few pics of some original displays/soldered rails

Thx

@dorfj2 posted:

Molded “brown plastic base” is under the outside rail

Also - postwar Lionel Super O dealer displays almost always had power and ground wires soldered to the rails  

I’ve seen many dealer layouts over the years and have never seen the plastic melted in any way - they were pretty good at what they did 😊

I’ll post a few pics of some original displays/soldered rails

Thx

And all the wiring underneath was soldered to the bus bars.

Dorfj2

That would great to see pictures when you get a chance. I appreciate it a great deal. Thank you.

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

Would really like to see pix and/or video clips of Super-O layouts.

</blockquote

@dorfj2 posted:

Sorry for the confusion - yes two separate wires one ground one power

I’ve been using Lionel Super O number 61 Ground and 62 Power connectors forever - they work great

Single wire on 62 power connector

@dorfj2  Is that Flex Bed under your super O track? I must admit it is so loud on just the plywood. How hard are the curved sections to lay down?

Hi Mike

Yes I used Flexxbed - easy to work with - glue in place under your track

I think there are a few YouTube videos showing how to install

Here’s a pic of roadbed and track before I glued down Lionel 919 grass - My layout mimics a Lionel Super O dealer display

Same area now with 919 grass - the grass is definitely “greener” than the photo shows

What is the typical spacing between these two lock ons parts to the next set of lock ons that I should do to ensure proper electricity is getting to the track for my layout?

That PRR F3 pair is certainly handsome!