Thinking about dumping 2 rail and JUST thinking about it for now.

There's always the option of doing a hybrid layout -- a 3-rail layout designed to 2-rail specifications as to turnouts and curve radii. Using insulated track such as Ross, Atlas, or MTH ScaleTrax, you could wire it to support both types of operations. The restriction would be that you couldn't use #6 and larger turnouts without some modification to the frog. If using Ross turnouts, they offer a #5 (AKA 11-degree) which seems to work well with the 2-rail equipment I run at the club

Just a thought.

@Brother_Love posted:

BTW, I am glad the re-model is almost over, 40 days longer than we were told!!!!!

In my experience, that is a minor miracle.  You are blessed!

Do whatever makes you happy! No sense in plugging along in something that doesn't do that for you.

These are toys and not the rulers of our life. Times change, interests change, we change.

If the magic is still there, go with it.

Others have switched from 2-rail to 3-rail if not necessarily to a postwar era one.  One notable example was Bob Weaver of Weaver/Quality Craft Models per the OGR tour that visited his layout (really sorry I missed that one).  https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...member-the-ogr-tours

Another alternative is what is referred to as 3-Rail Scale on the OGR Forum. Three-rail track, scale couplers, modern scale-sized 3-rail locomotives and rolling stock, and an otherwise scale layout with realistic structures, terrain and (possibly) Command Control. This is the option I have followed and I think it's a good compromise between the simplicity of 3-rail wiring, scale-sized models and 2-rail. And, you can also run your traditional O gauge trains. They may not be scale but they are enjoyable.

MELGAR

There are no wrong answers in this hobby.  As I'm diving full speed ahead into 2R, I am having fun playing with standard gauge.  In short, if it makes you happy go for it!

I added a 3 rail loop above my 2 rail so the grandkids could run their engines. I kept my G scale outside and added a double mainline under my 2 rail. After all that and before it's done, our grandson asked why I don't put the old HO loop back in up high above everything?

So don't ask if changing direction is OK with me!

Beware the Ozone...   Once it gets into the nostrils it is difficult to out.

Rusty

I agree with the sentiment of doing whatever makes you happy. I wish I had room to have both a 2 rail and a 3 rail layout but good luck in whatever you decide. I am sure it will be awesome!

Do what makes you happy.  I enjoy 3R because wiring is simple.  I also like to watch my toys run around and around.

I left N scale because I was sick of the rivet counters and it got worse every year. I run what I want and people enjoy it. I have fun with friends' kids when they come over and get mesmerized by the operating accessories under the Christmas tree.

I appreciate the beauty and detail of the scale locomotives, and cars. I admire the detail in many of the scale model structures, and the skills in weathering rolling stock.

Except for a couple of exceptions, the scale people smile from the memories of what they had as a kid and the accessories.

So do what you want.  Heck I'm keeping one N scale train so I can have a 1/4 scale live steam park on an o scale layout.

You can always make a 3 rail layout for under the tree and let the grandkids play with it.

Introduce a younger generation with what you had as a kid. The options are endless. Just have fun.

Not either / or, but rather all.  Why make a choice? 

One of the best things I have done in this hobby is to do what ever I wanted to do. 

Like yourself there are times I just want to let 'em roll. Other times I run commuter service, then mix in some peddler freights.   Then there are times when long strings of 80 footers wind through the imaginary countryside.

Then on the top and shortly the bottom level, three rail trains happily chug and whistle along their way.

It's all fun.  I do have a pail of mixed rivets sitting in the driveway to keep the naysayers busy outside.

A lot to the hobby.  Recently, I've worked with several detailed laser cut kits.  You inspired a caboose kit.   Thank you,  MikeCT.   You can enjoy the hobby without touching a piece of track, IMO.

@dan 77 posted:

Do what makes you happy.

Seems simple but some are not sure what that really means or how to get there.

@Quietman posted:

I left N scale because I was sick of the rivet counters  ...snip...

My answer to rivet counters:

The thought had never crossed my mind to have one of the tracks on the layout (if I ever did build a layout) be 2-Rail so that I could run those in addition to the 3R.  Maybe I might do that as in years past, I've had N, HO, and O all running on the table at the same time. My biggest fears holding me back to doing 2-Rail are (1) lack of space as I'm only interested in modern 70+ foot rolling stock - not into narrow gauge or mining lines - and (2) more importantly, a support mechanism.  It's hard to enough to find O scale/gauge around here but at least I have a ready community of colleagues to get help from, run trains with, etc.   There is/was? a 2-Rail club here in the Fort Lauderdale area, but my inquiries to their website have lead nowhere making me think the website is not maintained.  It's no fun running trains by yourself.

I started out with HO, twenty five years later I sold it all. Went to 3 rail for ten years, change to 2 rail O for four years. Went back to HO four years ago, now I am selling all O 2&3 rail and HO. I am going to S scale in 2021. This will be my final layout build, my health issues that came to light three years ago is not helping. So I am taking the advice from my 76 year old father, take one day at a time and do what makes you happy. My S scale layout will be 5x16, it will have tunnels, a large bridge in the middle as the focal point and a three stall roundhouse with a turn table. Small yard with four tracks, take advantage of building fronts for the passenger station tucked up to the mountain for space saving. I am going back to K.I.S.S.

Time is short Brother Love, I have enjoyed your creations you made over the years. At some point in time, it's time to sit back and relax. Just watch or close your eyes again and just listen to the train. Think back to when you were young, imagined you were on that train going to wherever the tracks took you.

@DL&W Pete posted:

I started out with HO, twenty five years later I sold it all. Went to 3 rail for ten years, change to 2 rail O for four years. Went back to HO four years ago, now I am selling all O 2&3 rail and HO. I am going to S scale in 2021. This will be my final layout build, my health issues that came to light three years ago is not helping. So I am taking the advice from my 76 year old father, take one day at a time and do what makes you happy. My S scale layout will be 5x16, it will have tunnels, a large bridge in the middle as the focal point and a three stall roundhouse with a turn table. Small yard with four tracks, take advantage of building fronts for the passenger station tucked up to the mountain for space saving. I am going back to K.I.S.S.

Time is short Brother Love, I have enjoyed your creations you made over the years. At some point in time, it's time to sit back and relax. Just watch or close your eyes again and just listen to the train. Think back to when you your young and imagine you were on that train going to wherever the tracks took you.

Good luck finding stuff in "S". It is the perfect size model wise, but slim pickings.

Simon

@Simon Winter posted:

Good luck finding stuff in "S". It is the perfect size model wise, but slim pickings.

Simon

Hi Simon,

That is why I am switching, I already have two DL&W E8A. Getting two DL&W train masters, two Reading train masters and a F7 ABA in Reading. I plan to get five legacy Berkshire's to reletter into my own railroad. My era will be 1945-1955. Less is better in the long run, I don't plan on keeping up with the next guy.