Lionel Super O track

Nope...36' diameter is all they made.  There are those folks, myself being one, who take the curved sections apart and bend them to different curve diameters.  I have a large layout of it with mostly altered, widened curves and it's a great looking and operating track system though I don't like the switches. As for cleaning, I've heard some folks put it in the dishwasher. Being retired with time available, I clean it in the sink using a tooth brush and Bar Keepers Friend then blow it dry with compressed air, if I think it really needs cleaning. Rust is a whole nuther issue. Avoid it if you can. If you're interested, do a search for the Super O Track forum. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks there and a whole library of past topics and lots of photos available.  Mike Spanier is the founder and inspiration of the forum.

Tom Smith

I’ve done the dishwasher method. Used the product that is for cleaning dishwashers. You should use the lowest temperature setting possible as the plastic will deform on high temps. Did not use the setting to dry in dishwasher. Took them out and placed in early morning or late afternoon sun to prevent warping and limited exposure to about 30 minutes. Finished off with blowing off with compressed air; have access to air compressor. Wiped the rails with wd40 dampened cloth. As always, YMMV.

Steve

Scotch Brite and a little Elbow Grease. 036 is all Lionel made and I haven't seen where anybody has widened the diameter on the switches. I also used Pledge to clean and shine the ties.

The forum can be found at LionelSuperOTrack@groups.io

@tontee posted:

Nope...36' diameter is all they made.  There are those folks, myself being one, who take the curved sections apart and bend them to different curve diameters.  I have a large layout of it with mostly altered, widened curves and it's a great looking and operating track system though I don't like the switches. As for cleaning, I've heard some folks put it in the dishwasher. Being retired with time available, I clean it in the sink using a tooth brush and Bar Keepers Friend then blow it dry with compressed air, if I think it really needs cleaning. Rust is a whole nuther issue. Avoid it if you can. If you're interested, do a search for the Super O Track forum. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks there and a whole library of past topics and lots of photos available.  Mike Spanier is the founder and inspiration of the forum.

Tom Smith

Tom,

I have to ask you this question? I have heard about this with the super O track, can you post a photo of the finished product?

Thanks

Craig

Some food for thought. Have you thought about incorporating wider radius Fastrak switches with the Super O? I'm sure with a little ingenuity you could make them work. If needed you could get a pair of Fastrak transition pieces and use the O to Super O track pins which can still be fairly easily found.  

Evapo-Rust if the track is rusted will clear that issue right up with minimal effort.

@tontee posted:

  There are those folks, myself being one, who take the curved sections apart and bend them to different curve diameters.  I have a large layout of it with mostly altered, widened curves and it's a great looking and operating track system though I don't like the switches.

Tom Smith

Hey Tom,  Can you post some photos of your layout please?

Super O track is SUPER.

Here are a few photos showing Super O Track altered curves and how it integrates with some of the switches I've used. The whole layout is a construction zone.

Here's a yard shot showing 3 Lionel 142 Super O switches with the width cut down and modified to use under table twin coil switch machines.

Here's ongoing construction of the elevated line.

Here's a yard view before everything was disrupted to allow access for the upper line construction.  It shows the roundhouse during construction. It has 6 stalls now but is out of service.

Back edge of the layout...construction everywhere!

Same area, different view....

Diesel consist getting ready to cross the lift out bridge...

The transfer table and turntable before being disrupted....

Here's a view across the yard before disruption...note the upper line construction in the background.

As you can see, it's all about building and changing.  I don't know if it'll ever come to any semblance of completion but it's fun and I love to let's run.  As my friend Rich Riley say's,  I start running trains and sometimes a little work happens.

Hope you guys like the photos and feel free to post questions and/or comments. My methods are chaotic but I somehow make progress.

Sure looks great Tom. Hard to beat Super O!

Once you get the hang of it, how difficult is it to change and widen the curves?

Thanks C.Sam...once you get your technique down then it takes about a 1/2 hour per track.  There is a track bender devise along with templets available and my friend, Rich uses it.  I do mine free hand to what ever is needed in the section under construction. I start by bending the little tie fingers that hold the track and release the rails. I then cut a slot in every other web of the plastic tie bed, on the outside of the curve. This reduces the degree of arc and when the rails are bent to the desired curve, this effectively lengthens the outside rail which has to be trimmed.  I use my hands and long needle nose pliers to bend the rails, clean them on the bench grinder wire brush.  If the plastic ties and center rail are very dirty, I scrub them with Bar Keepers Friend on a tooth brush.  Then reassemble the track being careful not to break the metal tie fingers when bending them back to secure the track. Trim the outside and center rails to length then make sure pins will fit in the rail ends.  Lotta work but the results are worth it to me.

Very impressive work with Super O!