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Helpful hints and opinions regarding track and 2012 contest.

ATMSBassistATMSBassistOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

In lieu of the recent announcement of the 2012 Micro-layout, I have been drawing up plans and costs for a 4x6ft micro layout. I have contemplated using Gargraves track because of its quality, realism (phantom line), and cheaper manual switch prices. Using the track program RR-Track v5, the program estimated my current trackage cost to be approx $400. to a college student, $400 is quite a large sum. I do however want a small household layout and a chance for the prize. So my question is, should I save and splurge for the gargraves or use my currently unsecured Lionel 0-31 tubular and 0-31 switches? 2nd question: Is there anywhere that sells Gargraves for cheap, or a place to buy used/extra track, or do any of you have any track I can purchase from you? Any information is good info, so lay it on me!

 

-Kyle

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N nickaixOGR Forum Member

Used Gargraves can be found on eBay, but it is a little risky to buy, since it might come kinked or otherwise distorted. And the older it is, the harder it seems to be to bend. Sometimes it is because the ties are frozen to the rail (WD-40 fixes that), but sometimes the rail itself seems stiff.

 

An alternative would be to use the rails from disassembled O-27 track and ties you make yourself. O-27 is about the same height as Gargraves. This, of course is more time consuming, but also cheap. There was a thread about it on CTT's forum a while back. http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/166332.aspx?sort=ASC&pi350=1

Gandalf97Gandalf97OGR Forum Member

I'm still trying to figure out if I can participate in the contest and what the real size limits are for the layout.  4x6 is getting pretty close to 4x8.  Stewart indicated that the limit would be closer to 3.6 x 3.6 but I'm not sure if that is an absolute or not.

 

Anyway to answer your question...  I would probably go with O27 track due to the low cost.  As an alternative, I would look to used O27/O31 track either here or on another site.  Gargraves and other higher end track is nice, but it is also costly.  Finding something that is used (and priced right) is probably going to be your best bet.

 

I have been seeing several people on here selling off things they don't want in order to finance things they do.  If you have items you no longer want, you might be able to help raise money for the layout that way.

 

Good luck.

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