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I have a 10X13 all Fastrack layout on green felt at present. But as soon as our 3' or so of frost goes I will be adding a 20X30 addition to the garage for a train room. I plan to have a large yard  and was wondering if anyone uses different non-ballasted track in their yards. I would like opinions or examples if anyone has any suggestions.

          John

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Major differences in track types on a layout always bugged me personally. I'm a user of tubular track and have used O Gauge (Black Tie) and O-27 (brown tie) in the same layout. They are close enough that you can't really tell the difference unless you know where to look. See a photo of my old layout below...it is a mix of O and O-27. 

 

My current layout is all 0-27 on grey indoor/outdoor carpet with Ross switches. Ross and tubular are about as far apart in similarity (appearance wise) as you can get but it doesn't bug me as Ross switches are the best of the best and I have no problem overlooking the extra ties for functionality. Tubular switches/Lionel had always given me headaches but not enough to rip them all out although I did with one on the old layout.

 

What DOES bug me is using tubular and Realtrax or Realtrax and Fastrack, etc on the same layout...just looks strange. 

 

Below is my old layout, O and O-27 tubular with Ross and Lionel switches. Didn't bother me. Outside of the Ross switch, you could hardly tell the difference in track/switch types.

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I've been a member of the National Capital Trackers for almost 10 years. The standard is Lionel Tubular Track (O Gauge, Black Tie) however over the years, that has morphed into whatever track you want. I've always been a proponent of ONE track type not only for looks but functionality. The Trackers are currently making changes to their standards and once again, I've mentioned requiring and enforcing the Lionel tubular track. You'll see Fastrack, Realtrax, Tubular, Gargraves, Atlas, etc on a single layout and, IMHO, it looks terrible and can cause operational problems. 

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Last edited by SJC

Real railroads have different standards for track for each type of use.   High volume/high speed main lines have ties closer together and thicker roadbed.   Lower usage track was less well built and and yard tracks were even less.    The Pennsy standard book lists the tie spacing for 3 levels of service in terms of ties per 100 feet of track.    The variation is quite significant going from 33 ties to I think 24 ties per 100 feet.   

John

 

Take a look at Atlas, MTH ScaleTrax or Ross for your yard.  By using their numbered switches (the Atlas No. 5, MTH No.4 or the Ross No.4 or or Ross Regular) you can get more car capacity in a given space that if you use tinplate switches like O-36, O-54 or O-72.

 

This view shows the yard complex on the Northwest Trunk Lines.  It uses MTH ScaleTrax switches.  They allow much closer track spacing than Fast Track or other tinplate switches.

 

Last edited by Ted Hikel
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