Hi guys. I’ve really enjoyed reading this forum for several months now. Since my son is just thrilled by trains of all types, it was only natural for me to rekindle something I enjoyed doing as a child. Actually I’m not sure who is going to have more fun at this, me or my son!
At any rate, I’ve already picked up a Santa Fe Fast Freight starter set, but am not too thrilled with the fast track for a permanent layout. Looks like it will be great for quick and easy setups on the carpet, but it probably will not be my first choice for a 4 X 8 layout we hope to build together at a later date. One question I have though. I’ll probably stick with the classic 027 track - love the Atlas O solid steel , but seems very pricey and not the biggest selection. I’ve seen in the back of CCT several ads for a add on RR ties. Is this a worthy product if I choose to stick with the old style 3 rail to doll it up? I seen some of your pictures, like those of spankybird posted today and he appeared to use some of those products and they look great. Thanks for everyone’s time. Can’t wait to really get back into this as I’m just having a ball reading and reading and…
Well first[#welcome] to the forum. We all hope you enjoy your stay here.
Well from what i have heard, those ties will work well, and will deaden the sound. I have some of my old 027 track still, and I am using it for my inside loop of my layout right now. I am actually moving to the fastrac system soon as my permanent layout.
Another system to look at is MTH. Their realtrax system is good, and I know someone who is using it along with me. This is only temporary, as I said I am moving to fastrack.
Well the best thing to do here is just to ask questions. We will be glad to help.
Hi gatorails ! [#welcome] to the forum ! Sounds like you’re from Florida by your name, & that’s great ! I use Gargraves track myself, but traditional track is still most popular. Be sure and come over to the “Coffee Pot” if you have much time, great place & get to know the guys there also ! Thanks, John
Welcome to the forum Larry. On a previous layout I used O-27 and cut additional ties from balsa wood, I don’t remember the thickness. Some have mentioned using the popsicle (sp?) sticks available at craft stores.
Welcome to the forum. If you have the room go with wider radius curves. Trains look and perform better on larger radius curves. As far as adding ties I used masonite and cut them on a table saw to the size I wanted. Painted them and glued them in place. Good luck!
You can’t beat 027 tube track for the best Bang for your Buck. When I made my layout back in 97, the only other chooses were Gargraves and MTH just started coming out with there track and didn’t have all the pieces out yet. So old tube track became the choose.
There is plenty of it out there, both new and very good used. And you can’t beat the price.
If you are going with 027, I would pick up the K-line low profile switches. Much better than Lionel.
I did add extra ties. They are made of foam rubber so the do cut down on the noise.
I use LIONEL “O” Gauge tubular with rubber ties from 3r Plastics in Illinois. They sell them by 250 count bags and smaller. Thay have brown O-27 ties, and black O ties, and come complete with wood grain and tie plates at a very reasonable price.
Having said all that, after seeing pictures in CTT of a layout done with FasTrack, I’m thinking of using it exclusively for my next layout when we move to our new house. The automatic switches are beautifully done, and with a little scenicking and air-brushing around the edges, I think it can look at least as good as ballasted Atlas O.
Welcome Larry. My youngest still loves trains! My entire layout is 027 tubular track built out from our first train set - Lionel’s Ballyhoo circus train. 027 curves will keep you from buying lots of items but as you noted, it’s not expensive. I’ve experimented with popsicle stick ties - when on foam board, I’ve not found it too noisy either.
Yes WELCOME LARRY!!!
Like all the GIZ said you can’t beat the 0-27 for price. The thing to consider is that you can either 0-42 to 0-54 curves using the 0-27 size. Cost for the plain straight track pcs. I was getting them new for 65 cents and the 0-54 curves for $1.15 so you see you can get lots o track for small price.
laz57
Thank for all the replies. I guess I just really enjoy the older stuff more than the modern, thought the Atlas is nice. I guess I’m still stuck in the 60’s. One reason for sticking with the 027 is that I was thinking of trying to put a smaller loop inside a larger loop so as to possibly run two trains or just to allow for more movement from a single train with a minimum of switches. And as Tom said about the 027 track, it’s the “best bang for your buck.” I’ll just sit back quietly and keep reading up on all I can and keep on enjoying the folks here in the forum. Thanks.
Some comments from another “new-to-forum” guy… FasTrack’s O-36 minimum radius is pretty limiting on 4x8, so I can see how you would prefer to stick with O-27. If my neighbor had not bought a starter set containing FasTrack, I probably would not have looked at it either. However, we started with what he had and a table that is now about 9 1/2 ft square to help him build his railroad. I like the way FasTrack connects, so we developed three concentric loops connected by manual O-36 switches before the remotes became available. Today we have an O-36 loop containing a figure 8 for reversing surrounded by an O-60 loop surrounded by an O-72 loop with single crossovers on each side to connect the loops. The outer crossovers are O-72 remotes. The inner crossovers are O-36 switches, remote at the far end of the layout and manual in front of our control panel. Eight spur tracks allow for a lot of railroad operation. Block control with three transformers enables us to simultaneously operate three trains independently and even put together occasional doubleheaders by remote control. Bottom line: Don’t sell FasTrack short. Lionel keeps adding to the possibilities.
but as you noted, it’s not expensive. I’ve experimented with popsicle stick ties - when on foam board, I’ve not found it too noisy either.