I’m thinking of running two seperate tracks in my layout, one will be the standard O gauge 3 rail. The second track I’d like to try the Super O, or something similar for magne traction mainly. What do y’all think?
Ever used Super O? Tell me all about it please.
Thanks.
Hey, I posted a message in the coffee Pot and it disappeared, I got lost in there and left.
James,
Some info here http://www.tcamembers.org/articles/operating/supero/index.html
Mike Spanier posts here occasionally and is a reliable source for Super-O track. He also has a Yahoo group for Super O. Mike is a pleasant guy to deal and communicate with.
I have worked with it on friends layouts. It is neat track and it looks good. There is only one curve and turnout radius, 0-36 (same as new Lionel Fastrack).
Regards,
Roy
One of the down sides to Super O track was the thin center rail will ware out your pickup rollers much faster than other track.
My father uses Super O, the track seems to run very smooth and does look prototypical, I like the ties. I like the feature of half size uncoupling sections when compared to O-31 full 10 inch uncoupling sections. They are small enough you can put em anywhere on a siding.
spankybird,
With regard to roller wear, is this statement made based on personal observation?
The roller wear issue has been discussed many times on many forums and websites. The conclusion from those in the know, is that there is little if no more wear because of the narrow center rail.
James,
From all I have seen and read Super “O” track was pretty nice stuff. Yes there are limitations based on what was or is available.
Do your homework and figure out what you will need to pay for the amount of track needed for your situation. Most of all HAVE FUN!
Regards,
Rich NYCRR1
As I told you guys, I haven’t seen my trains since 1987 and I’ve found stuff I forgot I had. I’ve got my father in laws O gauge trains he got as a kid in 1930, it’s a real old tin olive green set. Everyone used to try to get them from me. I’ve got my brother-in-law’s complete Marx set from 1960 (O27s), I’ve got all my stuff which is an original pre-war & post-war combo set bought in 1946 or 48? (I forget the number right now) it came with the 224 engine. Plus all the stuff I’ve added since the late 50s.
Maybe I’m trying to go too far too fast here, but I’ve never had a place to set my “junk” up permanent and now I’m gonna do it and I am going to set ALL OF IT UP, including Tonka Toys trucks from the 60s!
Here’s a pic of my new train house:
The clubhouse is 16 ft. x 20 ft. and I just may make it bigger if I get the urge!
So, I want to use all appropriate track, original Lionel O gauge 3 rail, O27, Lionel Super O and/or it’s equivelent.
Do you guys think I’m trying to do too much, should I slow up some??? I’m real antsy because I’ve had all this stuff for so long and never got to play with it much.
Oh, and thanks for the Mike Spanier tip, I contacted him and he replied right back. Thanks a lot!
I’m sending my ZW & R 100 Watt Trainmaster off to Ken Koehler this week to have them restored. He’s got fantastic recommendations. Here’s his website if you care to look him over: He also is on eBay as “I Fix ZWs” (I think that’s his name there):
http://home.comcast.net/~klerxfmr/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
This project should occupy me for most of this winter and I’ll be bugging you guys a lot too.
Hey, by the way, what type of wiring is used nowdays? I’m gonna need a bunch, or as us Southern boys say: “I’m fixin’ to use up a passle of it.” What is a good source for wire?
My cousin had super O track. I do believe that more of the ware is from dirty track and arcing. With the center rail being a copper alloy, I believe it oxides quicker that the outside rails, therefore requiers more cleaning.
I have an oval of super O that I love. I wouldn’t use it for an entire layout, but only because of cost reasons and the lack of(affordable) wide radius track.
As for roller wear, I don’t really think that it’s an issue, provided that you keep both your track and rollers clean. I certainly haven’t had any problem with it. If you think about it, the top of the Super O center rail is flat, while a tubular rail is rounded. New rollers will theoretically have greater contact with the flat Super O rail than the rounded tubular rail.