Cheapest non tubular track

Probably Gargraves is some the cheapest non-tubular track.  It's also got another bonus, it's made in the USA.

I would agree that Gargraves is probably the most economical, non-tubular track available now. I use it along with Ross switches. Best price I've seen for Gargraves straight track is from Ross Custom Switches (http://rossswitches.com). For Gargraves curves, I'd shop around some of the well known vendors such as, Henning's, Charles Ro, Train World, Nicholas Smith, etc. and see who has the best price. I think last time I ordered, Charles Ro was the best deal for me. Don't forget to factor shipping!

I bought my Gargraves flex from Ross as well, he had the best price for cases of flex that I could find.  Since I was also getting the switches there, I figured I'd bundle the shipping.

How is GG NON-tubular?  It's hollow, rolled sheet stock formed into a rail, just like the other tubular types except for the additional web that is inserted into the ties. . . .

So I guess the only track we can consider "non-tubular" is Atlas?

I think the OP is probably just looking for the least expensive track that has semi realistic track ties which neither Lionel tubular nor Menards tubular have.   If we ignore the center rail (or pretend we can't see black) then I guess it looks "real".

John

@Craftech posted:

I think the OP is probably just looking for the least expensive track that has semi realistic track ties which neither Lionel tubular nor Menards tubular have.   If we ignore the center rail (or pretend we can't see black) then I guess it looks "real".

That was my thought as well.  Most folks know what we mean when we say "tubular track", but there's always a nit-picker.

@Craftech posted:

I think the OP is probably just looking for the least expensive track that has semi realistic track ties which neither Lionel tubular nor Menards tubular have.   If we ignore the center rail (or pretend we can't see black) then I guess it looks "real".

John

Thank you for clarifying my question!!!!

@palallin posted:

How is GG NON-tubular?  It's hollow, rolled sheet stock formed into a rail, just like the other tubular types except for the additional web that is inserted into the ties. . . .

Tubular track refers to track with a circular profile for the rails.  While it’s true that tubes do come in shapes other than cylindrical, it’s also true that tubular track isn’t really a tube since it can’t contain a fluid.

Just go to your favorite search engine and type in tubular track.  I don’t think you will come up with any hits for Gargraves, Ross, Fasttrack or Realtrax.

@Lehigh74 posted:

Tubular track refers to track with a circular profile for the rails.  While it’s true that tubes do come in shapes other than cylindrical, it’s also true that tubular track isn’t really a tube since it can’t contain a fluid.

Thank you for making my case for me.

Just go to your favorite search engine and type in tubular track.  I don’t think you will come up with any hits for Gargraves, Ross, Fasttrack or Realtrax.

I am not responsible for the inadequacies of search engines.

This isn't nit-picking:  GG may have a flatish top profile (not really flat given the radiused edges), but the rail is nonetheless tubular in form.  The operative distinction is between tubular (= hollow) rail and solid.  Note the vast differences in rail profile among "Gargraves, Ross, Fasttrack or Realtrax," FT, for example being just as round on top as any other tubular rail (while also being just an inverted U, which looks far less like real rail than wind-up track made 100 years ago).

That may not have been the distinction the OP meant, but tubular track is not a description of the form, the number, or the placement of ties (all of which vary considerably by manufacturer, era, and track type).

@Lehigh74 posted:

Tubular track refers to track with a circular profile for the rails.  While it’s true that tubes do come in shapes other than cylindrical, it’s also true that tubular track isn’t really a tube since it can’t contain a fluid.

Just go to your favorite search engine and type in tubular track.  I don’t think you will come up with any hits for Gargraves, Ross, Fasttrack or Realtrax.

I guess the OP (csxcellent) is like me.  He just goes by what the industry calls "tubular" or Classic Toy Trains Magazine does, or others who have used the term for years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k4ymaRlcwo

I would venture to actually answer his question, but alas I am using (forgive me) "tubular".

John

@palallin posted:

That may not have been the distinction the OP meant, but tubular track is not a description of the form, the number, or the placement of ties (all of which vary considerably by manufacturer, era, and track type).

All of which isn't helping the OP at all.   You're just muddying the waters.  The object of the exercise is to help the OP with his request, not to get into an esoteric argument about what comprises tubular track!

I’m tempted to say Gargraves is the least expensive non-tubular track, but thought it would be a good idea to list all non-tubular track.  Here’s what I came up with:

Atlas Industrial Rail

Atlas Nickle Silver

MTH Realtrax

MTH Scaletrax

Lionel Fastrack

Ross

Gargraves (plastic tie or wood tie, phantom or regular, tin rail or stainless rail, rigid or flex)

I probably missed some.

Probably good to shop around a bit, but I’m guessing Gargrave flex track is least expensive.  With a 5X9 layout, you may want to go with sectional track for the curves and I suspect GG is also the least expensive in that category.

Regardless of cost I would skip the MTH track since I don’t know if it will be available in the future.  I would also skip the Fastrack (too noisy).

Last time I bought new GG, I got it from Just Trains of Delaware.  They have it drop shipped from Gargraves.  I thought the price was pretty good.

Look at some of the auction it’s. They frequently have both new an used Gargraves at Rey good prices. Just to name a couple, Stout, Cabin Fever and there are many others. They also frequently have other manufacturers.

For Gargraves flex track, I strongly recommend new track.  While you can work with used flex, it's a ton easier to work with new flex.  The ties dry up and it's a lot harder to get clean bends with used track.  Given the fact that new Gargraves flex is not that expensive, it's a "no brainer" to me.  It's just a little over $2/foot by the case, $400 for fifty-one 37" track sections.

MTH solid Realtrax not the newer hollow Realtrax is the Solid Rail cheapest track, I have found.

But Atlas is my favored track brand and style.

.

for GG do you prefer tinplate or stainless?

@Geojr posted:

Look at some of the auction it’s. They frequently have both new an used Gargraves at Rey good prices. Just to name a couple, Stout, Cabin Fever and there are many others. They also frequently have other manufacturers.

Beware of buyer's premium, taxes, and shipping cost when buying track at auction.  In particular, shipping can be very costly on track - bulky and heavy.

In general, the most economical way to buy track is to get it at a meet - prices are usually quite reasonable, and there's no cost for shipping.  Unfortunately, that's not really an option right now.

Without knowing the OP's specific reason for asking about non-tubular track, I wonder if he's considered using tubular and embellishing it with additional ties.  It may offer an economical route.

@TK posted:

for GG do you prefer tinplate or stainless?

Personally, I prefer tinplate.  Much easier to work with, and I can easily solder to it.

I've never heard anyone refer to GarGraves or Ross as tubular.  Real railroad track is not dead flat across the top, so the profile of Ross is not that far off.   In fact, Ross looks to match the profile of real rail quite well.  The GG flex is a little different in that the foot of the rail is not as wide, since it has the flanges that extend into the tie like others mentioned.  Here's a picture, Ross on top, GarGraves on bottom.

Atlas makes a great product, but you pay for it too.

Tubular track?

To paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart..."I know it when I see it."