Adding ties to Lionel O Gauge tubular track

I think the easiest and nice looking solution is to purchase (very inexpensively - 96 inches for under $4) is 3/4 in. x 96 in. Solid Pine Screen Moulding available from your big box home improvement stores. Cut to length (width is just right) and then paint to match.

In the past I had some left over 1/4" thick neoprene from a job I was doing.  The neoprene was 12" x 12" x 1/4".  I simply ran it through the table saw and ripped pieces to match the with of "O" gauge ties, which is about 5/8".  More recently, I cut up some left over pine into strips matching the metal ties, in size, of "O" gauge track.  Then painted them black.  They can be glued to the platform using just a dab of wood glue to keep them in place until you ballast the track.  Don't use too much glue in the event that you might want to make changes to your track later.  

I use roll roofing material, gray side up for a ballast look and I cut strips the same width as the ties and use the black side up for the ties . Use 2 pieces for O gauge and 1 piece for O27.

Or, you could just switch to Super-O!  

I ripped down some pine and used black stain.  Then "spiked" the ties with wire brads (installed using a push in driver).   Really gives a nice look to the old O-gauge track.

On a previous layout I used some ties by Wardie J. Not sure if anyone is handling them now as the owner has passed. They looked nice and were a close match to the metal ties.

How much track are you looking to add ties to? 

Lionel Grandpa posted:

On a previous layout I used some ties by Wardie J. Not sure if anyone is handling them now as the owner has passed. They looked nice and were a close match to the metal ties.

How much track are you looking to add ties to? 

When did Jim pass away? I purchased several hundred O gauge ties and track cutting jig from him a couple of York's ago and may need more ties.

Mike 

bmoran4 posted:

I think the easiest and nice looking solution is to purchase (very inexpensively - 96 inches for under $4) is 3/4 in. x 96 in. Solid Pine Screen Moulding available from your big box home improvement stores. Cut to length (width is just right) and then paint to match.

I think this is the easiest and nicest looking solution also.  I did this 25+ years ago on a former layout with great success.  I cut the wood to length, spray painted it with a flat/dull black - and only used a dab of glue to hold the ties in place.

Tidy and good looking.

I started to use the Screen Moulding for ties but decided they were too wide to match the width of the metal ties on O gauge tubular track.  The width matches the base of the metal tie, but to wide to match the top of the tie.  I bought 1/4" X 1/2" Basswood that comes in 24" lengths.  Paint flat black with cheap spray paint, then cut into 2-1/4" length to match the Lionel metal ties.  Paint again to get the bare cut ends.

Here is a area of my layout with ties added but have not placed ballast yet.

Here is same area of layout showing a few of the Screen Moulding ties I used to add control rails and a uncouple magnet to the track.  The cut-out is for my 97 Coal Elevator.

Same area with Coal elevator in place.  Note that there are 4 wood ties between the metal ties.  I have decided that 3 ties looks better.

A close up of track area while I was experimenting with Ties and Ballast.  This section of track is the K-Line Tubular track that came in 36 inch lengths and had the metal ties spaced at 2-1/2 inches.  I don't know if this track is available anymore.

Here is area of my layout after adding ballast

Steve