Joining Track pieces

I use O gauge Tubular track.   On straight sections, get your first section of track screwed in place, then use a block of wood, and gently, tap the end of the next section of track with a hammer.  On curves,  I push my track pieces together, then take a pair of needle nose pliers, and insert the points of the pliers into the nail holes on the ties of the 2 sections of track, then squeeze the pliers slowly to close the gap.  Switch back and forth between the 2 sides of the center rail.    Wearing leather gloves helps.    Not sure if this technique will work with Super O track.  

Steve

Thanks, Steve.  Wood and hammer is what i have been seeing on the forum.  I appreciate your explaining the process and how to do the curves.

-Brad

Welcome back!  A lot has changed in model trains in the past 20 years, but you probably already know that.  You can still find tubular O in stores, but not sure about O27.  If you want to go that route, you're best off going to train shows, flea markets and searching on ebay for the used stuff.  K-Line made great-looking Super-Snap and Shadow Rail that is compatible with Lionel's tubular O, but they were snuffed out of existence by Lionel and their track is now hard to find second-hand (however a company called O-Line Reproductions makes a modern matching version of the switches).  All the major manufacturers are now going with more realistic rails and ties and custom connectors (pins), so they're frequently not compatible with each other.  As far as assembly goes, mostly still the push-and-pull method (Lionel's Super O had both pins in the track and male & female locking connectors on the roadbed).

So if you want to continue to build with tubular, hunting for decent-looking second-hand track is the way to go.  If you want to modernize, Lionel's FastTrack (with snap-together plastic roadbed) and companies like Gargraves, Atlas O and others with more realistic rails and ties are your options.

Forgive me, O-Line Repro isn't currently available either.

Thanks for the update, NNJ.  I am sticking to tubular and Super-O mainly because I have so much of it already. My plans are a 32' by 11' U-shaped layout, with 4' wide legs and a 3' open.  I have enough of most the tracks to fill it. But I hate to waste so much old stock that is still good.

I really like the look of FastTrack, if there is a point I want to modernize that is the way I would go.   I use to go to train shows and the like back then.  It is on my list to start going again.

Appreciate the suggestions!