I posted this in another forum and probably should have posted it here. My question is:
Is 2 rail a new varition of O scale? If I were to start in O scale, would 2 or 3 rail be a better way to go?
Which is more popular (larger selection of merchandise) 2 or 3 rail?
I wouldn’t call 2-rail O scale new. It’s newer than 3-rail but it’s been around at least since the 1950s. It maybe gets more attention now, but I think O scale as a whole is getting more attention now. I keep seeing people say in person and on forums that they’re longtime HO scalers or N scalers who switched to O because their vision isn’t what it used to be and they can see O better.
2- and 3-rail is the same scale, so proponents of one will (sometimes grudgingly) use accessories meant for the other.
3-rail is a whole lot more prominent than 2-rail. You’ve got MTH, K-Line, Weaver, Williams, 3rd Rail, Atlas O, and the legendary Lionel in 3-rail. MTH is trying to go into 2-rail, and I think Atlas and Weaver are into 2-rail, but 2-rail O scale is much more of a niche hobby, and kits are a lot more prominent than ready-to-run.
If you want to buy stuff off a dealer’s shelf, go 3-rail. If you want to build stuff yourself, 2-rail is probably more your style, but nothing stops 3-railers from building their own stuff too. I’m into 3-rail, but I’ve build train cars and buildings for my layout.
I hope that helps.
Both date to the earlist days of electric trains, but because of advantages in electric wiring (simpler) 3 rail was chosen as standard by the major manufactures both in the US and Europe. (Even early HO was 3 rail as Marklin still is)
In the early days most toy trains were what is often called “tinplate” today. Fidelity to scale was often coincidental.
Some modelers wanted scale so they scratch built, converted timplate and purchased the few scale items that were available. They built their railroads with T rail, converted to smaller (but still ovesize) flanged wheels, and many also used outside third rail similar to some prototype electric railroads The geat model railroader Frank Ellison had 3rd rail shoes on his scale steam engines.
Eventually many O scalers went to 2 rail, but 3 rail still remains more popular.
O is now divided onto 3 broad catigories: O gauge - mostly the traditional timplate although some approaches scale. O scale 3 rail, O scale 2 rail
3 rail has traditionally had the advantage in simpiler wiring, remote control and automatic action, singnaling, and sound. Advances in electronics are now bringing these features to 2 rail.
3 rail is is usually more robust and may have some out of scale details in addition to the oversize wheel flanges and sitting higher above the rails. It also will operate on sharper curves.
Some 3 railers are now doing a compromise between 3 rail and 2 rail using wider curves, body mounted couplers and 2 rail trucks.
I have heard that one manufacture is planning to make locomotives with smaller flanged wheels that they will be easily convertible between 3 and 2 rail.
I play around with 2 rail, but many of my cars are converted 3 rail[:)] My locos are a 2- rail brass steaplecab electric, a 2-rail GE 44 tonner, a 2-rail Atlas SW and a 2-rail Weaver VO1000.
The recent introduction of 2 rail track by Atlas is helping to spur the 2
2 rail has been around at least since the 30’s. I have done both 2 and 3 rail, but I like 3 rail better, and I think it has some advantages. Because 3 rail started out as toys, it can be made to run on tighter curves than 2 rail. This is a big advantage if you don’t have a lot of space to work with. Also, over the last 10 years, the selection of products available for 3 rail has mushroomed. There are more interesting possibilities for electrical control with 3 rail, because of the third rail.
What you have to ask yourself is, can you live with the unrealistic middle rail. If you can, then this is a great time to be in the hobby, because even if you like the full scale realistic look, there is a growing number of pieces available. Some of the 2 rail manufacturers are offering their products ready to run in a 3 rail version. O will never have the selection of HO, because of it’s size and popularity. But for people with a good sized space, it’s a great choice.