Thinking of a Super O layout

I believe S&W Parts Supply which advertises here sells the power bus bars and pins for Super O.  If not they can frequently be found on the bay.  The pins on the outer rail are mostly there to provide electrical connections.  Worst case you can stick in a length of wire and hit it with a little solder.  I have heard that Gargraves 803 pins will work on Super O.

Thanks Bill, good info. I considered soldering the center rail, maybe drilling small holes and inserting a piece of wire. I see the pins and buss bars on ebay, just looking for options. Gargraves is my LHS.

Pete

There is a guy on the forum, Super O Bob that I read about who had 90-120 diameter Super O curves on one of his layouts. Check this link out

Super O Layout

Mike Spanier of our forum sells Super "O" products. I have dealt with him for years and recommend him. I bought track pins from him, which beats fabricating your own.

Mark

Hi, I have a layout with mostly Super O.  I have some Gargraves to accommodate wide radius curves. I've had some guys make wide radius curves of 96' & 108" diameter circles.  As I'm able to acquire wide radius Super, I replace the Gargraves track.  Long trains seem to like running on wide radius Super O.  I too have dealt with Mike Spanier to acquire Super O track & accessories for the track  He does seem to have anything you'll need in Super O.  He knows about this track and is great to deal with.

If you'd like, you can see the track on my layout here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

Your layout.  But would it just be easier to use FasTrack?  It is O36.

Len Carparelli of L&L Screenprinting does Super 0 restoration and larger diameter curves.

Check out their catalog

http://www.llmodeltrain.com/L&...L_CATALOG_2021_1.pdf

@Dominic Mazoch posted:

Your layout.  But would it just be easier to use FasTrack?  It is O36.

It might be easier to use Fastrack but Super O looks a darned sight better.

Pete, I’m excited for you about this. I know whatever you end up doing will be top notch. Sorry I can’t help you with Super O, but if you change your mind on it, I can share my experience on Atlas track with you. Good luck!

I like to build my own stuff. I have Gargraves and tubular but this will be a smaller layout with Post War in mind. I believe I read Welz had tools to make make larger radius which Len C. has acquired. I know I can buy all this but would still prefer to roll my own. Just wondering if anyone else has tried making their own custom curves.

Jim, Are you going to recommend I go with Atlas switches?

Pete

Pete, I’ve been using Atlas switches since Niagara Hobby gave me a couple to try when they first came out 25 or so years ago. I’m up to about 40 now and still using the original two. I have not experienced any of the problems people here complain about. Like any hobby they require a little tinkering sometimes and some bulletproof wiring methods. I’ve also bought plenty of used track and switches on the cheap which were not so nicely removed from layouts and it’s quite repairable. Only drawback is no magna traction on the postwar stuff. For my yard areas I’ve gone to ground throws for the ‘hands on’ value and Gary 3D printed mounting pads for me  which are really slick.

Good to know Jim. I think Atlas would be my preference for a high rail layout.

This one will be all about toy trains.

Pete

Norton,  Even though I moved to Atlas 'Fat' track from Super-O...  I'm still a huge fan of Super-O and have a ton of it, including the switches... which with a little 'initial' tinkering always performed rock solid for me.  It's pretty easy to find and more often than not... already weathered!  Just gently clean the top side of the rails and it looks GREAT!!!  Pins & Bus bars are readily available... the ends of the center rail have a cutout for the Bus Bar ...so, you need them for a smooth transition from track section to section.

Jim Z - Oh how I miss Niagara Hobby! And K-Val Trains,  and Ace Hobby,  and  3rd Street Depot!!!

JohnA

@John A posted:

Jim Z - Oh how I miss Niagara Hobby! And K-Val Trains,  and Ace Hobby,  and  3rd Street Depot!!!

JohnA

I just heard the owner of Ace Hobby passed away.

This one will be all about toy trains.

Pete

Pete, We’re going to Tennessee in April to scope out a possible move. If it happens, my next layout will be as well!

Jim- yes, Ron Shatzel of Ace Hobby passed. Inventory being sold off. End of an era, sad! JohnA