Thinking about 3R again!

"Thinking is the best way to travel."  (Moody Blues)

 

I keep hearing the HO siren song (I'm in S.)  But, there is no right or wrong.  Whatever you decide Malcolm, given the quality of your work, I'm sure it'll be magnificent!

 

Rusty

Malcolm,

After seeing and knowing what you are capable of doing. Your venture into the world of 3-rail would be welcomed by many. In case this thread turns into reality.... "Welcome To Our World!" .

 

I would still like to talk with you regarding a, GE 70 ton Switcher, Thank you.

Hi Malcolm:

 

Bottom line: It's your world... do it how you want.

 

Things to consider:

 

You seem to be very "scale" oriented. Think you can be happy over the long term with a that third rail, the oversized rail, oversized flanges, etc?  The gains afforded by the center rail can be negated if you start "scale-ifying" the 3 rail engines with fixed, scale sized, couplers, larger more esthetically pleasing curves, and such.

 

However, I can certainly understand the appeal of those nice looking steam engines spouting impressive chuffs of smoke! 

 

Best of luck with whatever you do.

It's your layout. There is no right or wrong.

You just have to weigh the advantages versus the disadvantages.  It sure would increase the choices in engines and rolling stock.

 

Art

I have been into 3-rail since I was a very young man and never have considered anything else. I have visited many 2-rail layouts, but never regretted the fact that I will always consider 3-rail to be the best in O-Gauge for many reasons.

 

Obviously, your decision is a personal one, but with all the 3-rail equipment that you have improved by your work, I can see why you are leaning in another direction.

 

Good luck with your decision.

I agree.  If you really like 3– rail, it would be foolish to go 2- rail because somebody else might not like the looks of your track.  Hobbies are not to make other people happy.

Malcolm....

 

I also understand what you are going through.  If I could start all over, I would step over to your side of the fence.  As my enjoyment of the hobby has evolved into a scale-like layout, the center rail is "very noticeable".  I stayed with the 3-rail scene because of many of the reasons you state above....but over time I have found that the track is as important in representing a scale layout as are the trains.  The reason why I didn't go two rail at this point is because I have so much 3-rail equipment that selling it now and converting over to two rail would take me years.  I simply don't know if I have the time to "start over"....  So...I have decided to concentrate on making the layout better and better with more detail and to enjoy creating a miniature world that just happens to have trains going through.  The center rail is something that I live with at this point and you will have to decide to live with it too if you decide to go with 3-rail.

 

Alan

Thanks for the input. I am mulling this over carefully. The hardest part requires tearing up handlaid track and turnouts. I had never done that before and taught myself how and it got easier each time I did it. When I get the pliers and wide putty knife out to start the dismantling I just turn, walk away and begin to think about it a little longer. It may not be a "earth-shaking" event but it still requires a lot of thought.

 

Thanks for helping, Malcolm

 

 

Before you make a radical decision, that involves selling off stuff, yanking up handlaid

track, etc., put up a temporary, "Xmas", or some such small layout, experiment with

the track, and its switches, in place, with running trains.  Try the different types and

brands,  even if just on a sheet of plywood, a small investment for each for sure, but a lot cheaper than choosing something you get deep into, time and money, and then not

be satisfied.  "Fly before you buy".  The overall effect of sound, desired prototype, and available equiment might blur the third rail and the large couplers.

Malcolm, except for the turnouts, if you laid Code 148 (which I doubt because it's hand laid), you could just add a 3rd rail.  You would then have to modify Atlas O 2 rail turnouts with a 3rd rail and some minor modifications.

 

I used Code 100 for the 3rd Rail, others have used something else.  I think I'm the only one so far that has working turnouts.  If you are interested, email me (check profile).

 

I kind of went through what you are, almost dumping my 3 rail.  I ended up with both 2 and 3 rail, using Code 148 for both.  Some on the same board, some separated, and I may use my Atlas 3 rail O as the 3 rail passes into another room (still planning that).  

 

This was in the very early experimentation phase.  Although still 3 rail, it works much better with 2 rail in the same scene.  I got to where I couldn't look at Atlas 3 rail with the 2 rail.

 

If you are all 3 rail it isn't necessary.

 

You only live once.  And if you do it right, once is enough.  My advice, do whatever makes YOU happy.

Thanks for the input. I am keeping the 2R BUT adding a 3R loop on the back side of the layout.

 

Thanks again, Malcolm

The biggest downside in my opinion is 3 rail wheelsets and track are noisier than 2.  

I've built layouts in O, HO, N and G......I find O 3R to be the most fun and relaxing with the least fiddling to get things to run well....in conventional anyway...

Malcolm;

I too like ScaleTrax. Closest rail to scale around, despite the tie spacing.

Have you looked at the 2/3R engines from MTH? Switchable may be the way to go for now. 

Might get the sound and smoke you want in 2 rail that way.

Hi Malcolm,

First and foremost, whatever you do, your work is magnificent. I am both a two railer, very scale oriented, and also a Lionel Postwar collector and operator who loves the space and military items. My scale layout has a loop so I can sit and watch trains and build scenery. If I empty out the station, I can run switching operations to my hearts delight. Again this is all two rail and the best of both worlds.

To accommodate your three rail you may want to build a layout above your existing layout. I have seen this a few times and it is doable, has its pros and cons, great for running, a bit hard on scenery, but it works.

All the best,

Miketg