Most if not all tubular track is available from Lionel. Switches, which have been unavailable will once again be back starting next month.
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Are you saying they decided not to discontinue it, or they're just emptying a warehouse somewhere?
Are you saying they decided not to discontinue it, or they're just emptying a warehouse somewhere?
I am saying neither.
I'm waiting for the O-Line tubular track.
Jerry
Well what are you saying Charlie? Being one of the top 10 Lionel dealers, you should know something. Did Menard's show Lionel, they made a large mistake by dumping their "O" Gauge track line?
I was buying K-line's O27 42" switches when they were still in business. After Lionel took them over they doubled the price. I am still in need of more and can't find any in the years that I've been searching. I would love to see Lionel bring them back at a reasonable price.
- walt
walt rapp posted:I was buying K-line's O27 42" switches when they were still in business. After Lionel took them over they doubled the price. I am still in need of more and can't find any in the years that I've been searching. I would love to see Lionel bring them back at a reasonable price.
- walt
Have you tried Western Depot? They carry K-Line track and switches, or used to carry K-Line unless they sold out their inventory.
Lee Fritz
Will Lionel's distributors be getting the switches etc. too?
Distributors will have them.
Jim, it had nothing to do with Menards. The switches and track got the go ahead early this year. The switches will be in the new T&P catalog and are already in stock but not in the system yet for distribution at this time but will be soon.
walt rapp posted:I was buying K-line's O27 42" switches when they were still in business. After Lionel took them over they doubled the price. I am still in need of more and can't find any in the years that I've been searching. I would love to see Lionel bring them back at a reasonable price.
- walt
We have one (only) in stock:
http://www.jrjunction.com/cgi-...=action&key=2623
Same answer every time this comes up.
There is so much Lionel tubular sitting around in warehouses, dealers, private basements and stored under train layouts that it should never be a problem. Add of course the secondary market online.
I probably have enough tin track in the many boxed up train sets I have in my basement to supply the construction of a dozen layouts!
I hate to say this but, I bought some Menard's track and I'm not impressed with it. The metal used for the rails reminds me of material used for furnace ductwork. Also it does not connect together well.
So I guess it's good news that Lionel will be offering tinplate rail again. By the way, if anyone is interested in a loop of brand new 036 Menard's track, cheap, send me an email.
Good! I like Hi Rail but have an infinity towards the old tinplate tubular Lionel Track. I agree Menards has turned some heads with their Pelothra of cool O "stuff". Is Menards track equivalent to the old Marx stuff?
No, it's "O" profile instead of "O-27".
This is GREAT NEWS!!!
Thanks for the heads up Charlie!!!!!!!!!!!!
Charlie,
With the Ok to start producing "O" Gauge track, I would of thought Lionel would of made sure that this track would of been in their dealer hands by November 1st. This way they would of had it for the Christmas season. Their dealers can't sell it if they don't have it.
Seacoast posted:Is Menards track equivalent to the old Marx stuff?
I just was at Menards yesterday while on a business trip. I handled the O-31 and 10" straight. It is a beefy track with the same profile, tie count etc as Lionel. Nothing like Marx O-27 or O-34. Their O-36 is a first welcomed by many. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for tubular unless they are a purist that needs the Lionel NY markings.
Gentlemen,
If I want to run my Conventional Tubular with my old 711/072 switches I will purchase more Lionel track or K-Line (RMT) Super Snap, doubt I will ever need Menard's tubular track. Especially now that Lionel has Fastrack with great low voltage Command Control switches that run off track power. I think Menard's made a big mistake getting into the tubular track business.
PCRR/Dave
I am glad they are producing it again. I still need alot of it for what I am planning :-)
Charlie,
With the Ok to start producing "O" Gauge track, I would of thought Lionel would of made sure that this track would of been in their dealer hands by November 1st. This way they would of had it for the Christmas season. Their dealers can't sell it if they don't have it.
Jim, with the exception of some switches we have never been out of tubular track.
Jim Sutter Poster:
"This way they would of had it for the Christmas season. Their dealers can't sell it if they don't have it."
I think this is a rather odd statement also as the three or so main hobby shops in the Chicago area have always had plenty of tubular track in stock and there is still much K-line tube track.
I wonder if Jim is only seeing the lack of stock at his local dealers?
Jim, if you’re looking for track I can probably help you, what track pieces are you looking for?
Charlie
I'm glad to hear that Lionel is making tubular track again.
I have not tried Menard's track but from reading posts on here I may not buy their track.
Any way I have enough tubular track for my needs and know where to buy more for right now. So I am not worried about the supply of tubular track in any way.
Lee Fritz
...And this voice in the wilderness still maintains that Lionel tubular track..O, O-27, switches, et cetera...would be a better business fit to LCT (Lionel Corporation Tinplate) product portfolio. Tubular track has its origins in the same timeframe as the overwhelming majority of LCT's reproductions. Besides, they make/market tubular track for standard gauge.
Seems to me they (LCT/MTH) would be more responsive to market demands for the O tubular track lines, not only as a complement to their O tinplate engines/rolling stock/accessories, but for all of us who are invested financially, emotionally, and passionately in the tubular track for our PW+ layouts. I mean, LCT's niche is embedded in all-things-tinplate. Lionel's niche is...re track products now and for the foreseeable future...in all-things-FasTrack....O and now S, too!!
But, even though Spock is on my side in this argument...."After all, it's only logical!"...the dark, confusing side of toy train production/marketing continues to elude me.
As with every other time this comes up, a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, or a glass of vino in the evening makes it all better.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch....
KD
Charlie,
Thank you for the offer of "O" Gauge track. That was very kind of you. Charlie, my days of building train layouts are done. I no longer have any trains. I still enjoy reading the forum. Thanks again for you kind offer. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I'm one of those who has quite a bit of the original Lionel NY track. Some still in sealed cases. The only thing I'm low on are the 0711 switches, I'm down to six. As far as this track thing goes, it will all work out.
I have used Menard's track with great success. Yes you have to tweak it a little but so what, that's part of the fun of building a layout!
Here is my layout in progress - all 027 track; K-line and Lionel. I like the low profile compared to O-gauge. Am getting good at "dremel cutting" custom lengths as needed. Also, very inexpensive when bought 2nd hand, meaning more cash to put toward engines, cars, etc.
dkdkrd posted:...And this voice in the wilderness still maintains that Lionel tubular track..O, O-27, switches, et cetera...would be a better business fit to LCT (Lionel Corporation Tinplate) product portfolio. Tubular track has its origins in the same timeframe as the overwhelming majority of LCT's reproductions. Besides, they make/market tubular track for standard gauge.
Seems to me they (LCT/MTH) would be more responsive to market demands for the O tubular track lines, not only as a complement to their O tinplate engines/rolling stock/accessories, but for all of us who are invested financially, emotionally, and passionately in the tubular track for our PW+ layouts. I mean, LCT's niche is embedded in all-things-tinplate. Lionel's niche is...re track products now and for the foreseeable future...in all-things-FasTrack....O and now S, too!!
But, even though Spock is on my side in this argument...."After all, it's only logical!"...the dark, confusing side of toy train production/marketing continues to elude me.
As with every other time this comes up, a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, or a glass of vino in the evening makes it all better.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch....
KD
I think I agree with both you and Spock here. That does sound like a good idea. Who makes the standard gauge tubular track these days? Or is it no longer being made?
I don't use any tubular, but I am glad to see it is back. It's part of the history of the trains and would be sad to see it gone. Kind of like losing an old friend, even if you hadn't seen them in a long time.
rtr12 posted:I think I agree with both you and Spock here. That does sound like a good idea. Who makes the standard gauge tubular track these days? Or is it no longer being made?
I don't use any tubular, but I am glad to see it is back. It's part of the history of the trains and would be sad to see it gone. Kind of like losing an old friend, even if you hadn't seen them in a long time.
Just got two huge boxes of new Std track from USA Track LLC. Much better than the MTH track.
This past Sunday we did the Steam Into History Santa train ride in New Freedom and afterwards we stopped in DE Gettles hobby shop. I was looking at the tubular he had and he told me he could order all the Lionel track I wanted so I guess the news of tubulars death are a bit premature.
Jerry
In my opinion it's DEAD ON ARRIVAL…!!!!
For all those who say tubular will never run out...
I've purchased EVERY complete Lionel O-72 tubular switch I've seen for sale IN PERSON over the past 12 years (no, I don't live under a rock)
711: 0
5165/6: 2
I would buy many more in person should they turn up.
I was at C Ro's last week and he had plenty of Lionel O gauge track.
When the visiting kiddies tell me am oval of fastrack is way too loud, I set up an oval of tubular and all is well in whoville.
Long live tubular
To me it just isnt Lionel without the tubular track. I was raised on it my whole life. I had one set that had FasTrack, didnt like it. The rails have no profile to the, atleast tubular has somewhat of a rail shape, just not as flat of a top like real rail has. I didn't like the extra noise or the cheap feeling of it. My only wish for tubular is turnout lantern tops that more closely resemble real switch lanterns, thats the one part that does look nice on FasTrack turnouts, scale size switch lanterns that are lighted. Mike
It must be Christmas time to hear/read so much excitement in the air over toy train track. Maybe sometimes "dead" is a relative word, and not the correct term for tubular track. Personally, I had to overstock years ago on tubular track of all sizes and radii for that occasional carpet run from the kitchen to the back bedroom, with stops and sidings at most doorways and the Christmas tree of course. Most of the track stacks nicely and doesn't take up that much room. Given there is no roadbed involved I would guess the storage area is half of the fasttrack. The 36 and 40 inch sections can stand in a corner, or slide into the bracing under the table. Now I may be old school, cause I like hearing the clicking of the wheels on the joints and the buzz of the e-unit when going from forward to reverse. The electronic e-units are so quiet it makes me think they are plotting against me during that awkward pause.
I too like the 'clickity-clack' of the wheels on my O27 track. My K-line Budd RDC cars sound great. The sound is even more pronounced if you don't press together the tracks all the way, and leave about 1/16" gap. Sometimes you have no choice since the tubular is often difficult to assemble when new. Also, if you look closely at my pics above, I use grey in/out carpet for my roadbed, which quiets the plywood sound significantly.
Is it being remade or is there a warehouse full of it? On another thread its stating that Lionel was contacted and its not being remade....
bmoran4 posted:For all those who say tubular will never run out...
I've purchased EVERY complete Lionel O-72 tubular switch I've seen for sale IN PERSON over the past 12 years (no, I don't live under a rock)
711: 0
5165/6: 2
I would buy many more in person should they turn up.
I have a brand new in-the-box Lionel 6-5165 and 6-5166 in their boxes. If you are interested, email me with what you would offer. Thanks.
When the news first came out last year that they were not going to manufacture more, word was they had tons of it left and there would not be a supply issue for years, if not decades to come.
All the good hobby shops are saying, "Not to worry. We have tons of it and we can get anything you want."
There doesn't seem to be an issue getting pretty much anything you need. I have not had any problems.
Why all the hullabaloo?
