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Since I am renewing my interest in O scale, I would like to know what radii are available for tubular track.  If I ever get a track planning program downloaded ( see my topic on track planning software ) , I would like to have an idea what I can do in the space I will be having available sometime in the next year or so.

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Depend on what you like to run as to how big the curves need to be. Tubular track curves start at 27 inches(027) and go up to 72 inches(072) in Lionel style curves. Gargraves makes curves that start at 32 inches and go up to 120 inches, maybe higher. 

For 027 curves it makes a 27 inch circle, 072 makes about a 72 inch circle(plus pr minus a half inch due to track play). A 30 inch square would be the smallest for 027 curves and for 031 a 3 foot square would be about the smallest.

Lee Fritz

Having spent the last year actively building a 12 x 25 layout on 3 levels, and having experimented with most all of the track types my track of choice is Gargraves.  You can purchase directly from them and they are very helpful.  My reasons are as follows:

1 - I find it the easiest to work with.  I do however prefer fixed curves to flex track.

2. Very realistic looking although not necessarily the most realistic, but best look for the price.

3. Magetraction works better on it then other brands.

4. Excellent support from manufacturer.

5. Lots of track options.

6. Very available.

7. Near my home in Dundee, NY

8. Access to the company owners mike and tom

9. Company has many years of experience.

10.  Compatable with lots of other track types.  I connect both Atlas  and O27 Lionel to it since I had some of each already.

11.  Easy to cut with chopsaw or Dremmel.

12.  Use with Gargraves or Ross switches.  

If I were using pre ballasted track I would probably use Lionel Fast track, but I think self ballasting looks a lot better, Plus adapting custom sizes might be harder with Fast Track, although I have not tried that.  Perhaps some input from the group on cutting Fast Track would be helpful.

13. I like how the pins make it easier to connect rather then sliding connectors ovee the outside.  I also have found Atlas more frustrating to join.

14 Lionel tubular is a good old standard but I had to add extra ties to make it look better.

15. You drill your own holes in Gargraves which is a plus or a minus depending on how you look at it.  I dont mind pre-drilling the track for the screws.  They will supply some perfect screws for the job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Way back in the late seventies I purchased a full case of Gargraves track from them directly.  They were helpful then.  That's when I had a "Hi-Rail" layout.  I also had a couple of their turnouts and used NJ switch machines to operate them.  Yes, their track is very realistic and to visitors it was something they had never seen.  

Toward the mid eighties, I changed my layout to an operating accessory type.  I found then that "O" gauge tubular track worked best for me as the numerous activation tracks fit with it better.  And as Mike mentioned, the curves were simpler for me to utilize for the type of layout I wanted. 

My reason for the original question was that as I am getting back into "O" gauge after twenty five years, I am attempting to relearn everything I can about it.  Of course, I don't know how much room there is in my brain these days, but I hope to gain as much knowledge from this forum as I can, before I start buying stuff and building a layout.

phillyreading posted:

I use Gargraves track and have found that the size of the hole for putting a screw into the wood ties can sometimes split the ties, so I went down a drill bit size(one/sixty fourth smaller) smaller then what Gargraves recommends on the screw package and that keeps my ties from splitting as much.

Lee Fritz

seems backwards, to put a screw through the tie to fasten down the track you would want a clearance hole (larger than the diameter of the screw) not a smaller hole. if you are trying to attach a switch motor then you need a pilot hole (slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw). the smaller you make the hole, the more likely you are to split the tie.

mytrains posted:
phillyreading posted:

I use Gargraves track and have found that the size of the hole for putting a screw into the wood ties can sometimes split the ties, so I went down a drill bit size(one/sixty fourth smaller) smaller then what Gargraves recommends on the screw package and that keeps my ties from splitting as much.

Lee Fritz

seems backwards, to put a screw through the tie to fasten down the track you would want a clearance hole (larger than the diameter of the screw) not a smaller hole. if you are trying to attach a switch motor then you need a pilot hole (slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw). the smaller you make the hole, the more likely you are to split the tie.

Seems like you have not worked with Gargraves wood ties or you would know that making a hole too large when drilling can split the wood and make that tie useless. It's not when you fasten the screw but when you drill the hole for the screw as there is still plenty of room for the screw to go through without problems.

Lee Fritz

Remember track is measured in diameter - not radius. O-72 = 72" diameter. And, different companies measure from different points - Ross O64 = Gargraves O63. Also, some newer track systems use solid rails and others have built-in roadbed. You're also not limited to fixed diameter track - you can buy flex track, and/or mix diameters to create a custom curve. There's ample choices nowadays whereas in olden times most people just used Lionel tubular (even though Gargraves has been around since WWII (I think).

I prefer track made in the old USA - Ross and Gargraves. There's something both good and nostalgic about that, plus I love the look of wood ties. Cork roadbed is available, as well as various plastic and foam beds.

Last edited by Paul Kallus

I see that Menards makes an O-96 radius track.  I'd like to make a dual track mainline for my upcoming layout. I don't see an O-80 radius curve on their site.  Would any manufacturers make an O-80 ?  Using O-72 and O-96 leaves a 12" space between tracks.  Plenty of room for an additional track.  

I acquired all my tubular O-gauge track second-hand through train shows and private sales, but it took a while to find the full variety of O31-O42-O54-O72 curves. Some of the track needed a lot of elbow grease to clean up. Buy new track if you prefer to spend money instead of time. I bought a good variety of clean used O27 wider-radius track off this forum.

One other uncommon size: prewar American Flyer O-gauge had O40 curves. It's compatible with Lionel tubular track.

Last edited by Ace

In the 2002 K line catalog there are the following O gauge curve tracks, 0-31, K-0302; 0-42, K-0312; 0-54, K-0318; 0-63, K-319; 0-72, K-0322; 0-81, K-0320; 0-96, K-0323; 0-120, K-0324.  

To find find the curves today watch the bay, call the old Kline super stores, call the large old Lionel stores, watch the club news letters, let people know you are looking for it.

David Johnston posted:

In the 2002 K line catalog there are the following O gauge curve tracks, 0-31, K-0302; 0-42, K-0312; 0-54, K-0318; 0-63, K-319; 0-72, K-0322; 0-81, K-0320; 0-96, K-0323; 0-120, K-0324.  

To find find the curves today watch the bay, call the old Kline super stores, call the large old Lionel stores, watch the club news letters, let people know you are looking for it.

David:

Thanks.  I was waiting for someone to mention the K-Line curves.

I can add that the larger O curves manufactured by K-Line are very thinly traded these days.  They do show up from time to time on a popular auction site, but you'll need to set a standing search and be patient, patient, patient.  I.e., there aren't 14 different sets to choose from to finish your layout this weekend.

Ironically, three different auctions featuring these curves happened in January and February, 2016, but nothing in the 3-6 months before that.  You might wait a year or more to get all the sets you need.

Steven J. Serenska

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