Looking for advice on two rail track to purchase

Atlas 2 rail track is very nice, although a little pricy. But what track isn't expensive now? You can get sectional pieces in straight and various curves, or go with their flex track sections. I vote for Atlas.

Jeff

For flex track Micro Engineering is lower priced than AtlasO, and is made in the USA.  It is available in code 148, 125, and code 100 rail height.  A slight downside of ME flex track is that it is quite stiff to bend (reminds me of Gargraves).  Atlas flex track rail slides easily in the ties which facilitates laying smooth curves.  I intermix both brands on the railroad. 

I like the smaller rail sizes of 125 and 100 as I think it looks more realistic.

@Keystoned Ed posted:

.....  I intermix both brands on the railroad.

This.  There is no single answer -- it all depends on the matrices of cost / availability / looks ( including the era you model ) / application [ and to a much lesser extent, flange height(s) ], and usually the best answer is a combination of brands, as in Ed's case.  2Rer's are much less brand-devotees than most 3Rer's -- we're more like HOer's in that regard.

Now, to really generalize:  The BEST thing you or any other person starting, or wanting to start, in 2R is to visit a 2R show.  I'm not sure where you live, but a quick review of your past posts suggests you might be within striking distance of the Strasburg 2R show on August 10.  The $7 cost of admission + gas will probably be repaid many times over, even if there are not any bargains on used track or turnouts at that specific show.

Best rgds, SZ

Thanks to everyone for posting (so far).  Really appreciate the generous advice.

I have to laugh about Ed's comment about bending Gargraves as I have been fighting a couple pieces for a couple hours now this afternoon!  I even have a template for curving the stuff but man it is fighting me!  I would welcome something more reasonable.

I have hinged lift bridges that require sectional curves across the joints and would imagine doing that on the two rail add on possibly so sectional curves would be good.  As suggested perhaps a mix.

Yes I am not too far from Strasburg (in Leesburg VA) and was not aware of the 2 rail show.  That would be ideal, thankyou!

Back to the battle with my Gargraves flex...

Is Micro Engineering, O-Scale flex-track, still in production? Which dealers, currently, have these, in stock?

I once bought these from Micro-Mark, but for the last few years, whenever, I checked, the unweathered, Code 148, was always listed as Out-of-Stock.

The weathered version appeared to be available, from time to time, but I understood from other threads, on these forums, that the weathered version was much harder to bend, when compared to the unweathered version.

These are just my opinion.

Naveen Rajan

@harley rider posted:

I like the smaller rail sizes of 125 and 100 as I think it looks more realistic.

All of my track is code 125 -- hand laid ME rail on hand cut ties, which in part was driven by that matrix of cost / availability / appearance. What was not noted in those variables is that hand laying track gives complete freedom to take your track design wherever you's like it go as opposed to being constrained by set rigid track. That in part is overcome with flex track until to you mate that to commercial switches/turnouts....

Yes, come to Strasburg on the 10th of Aug.  You are no further away that I am, and in fact perhaps slightly closer in commute time.

This technique works well with M.E. Flex Track.  Thanks to Chris Webber for creating the video.  I've gone one step further by using a squirt bottle with a little liquid detergent and water.  Spray the rail, wait 10 to 15 seconds and begin working the track.  When I'm done I rinse it off and let it dry.  Also assures the rail is cleaner for applying paint, weathering, whatever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_R-j8QJJnk

A word of caution.  If you make these blocks please make sure the grooves aren't so deep that the cast in spike heads are destroyed/knocked off.  Trust me on this, it's a bad thing.

Jay

I must have a different version of the ME flex. All I did was space out the ties (or move them) into the curve and the rail bent. It was that easy. I did not lay much so maybe the test was skewed?

I also have both brands and just bought the ME to compare. I probably have ten pieces of it around the RR.

The Atlas was very easy to bend to any curve I have.

Dare I say it?  I have been buying old Roco/Atlas 1970's track at really good prices as a starter for a two-rail layout.  If I ever get the time I never seem to find, I'd like to use it to start a module just to get some modeling practice back in.

Given a choice, I do really like the ME track but that is a future decision down the road.   

I think settling on what switches you'll buy or make will help you decide on the track to match. We may be focusing on the flex track too much.

Look at Ed's or other members RR here to help decide.

Do you want to hand lay?

Do you want the best looking?

Lowest cost?

I like the look of Micro Engineering weathered track, but flexing it can be challenging. Over 10 years ago,  one of my apprentices used it to make a "shooting stand". It was a track laying/ballasting exercise. He gave it to me and I still have it. The non-weathered is easier to flex.

@Robbin posted:

I have purchased my first 2 rail engine.  While it is on the way I am looking at adding a two rail run above (elevated at the back of) the current three rail loops.  I have no two rail track.  What track do you all recommend and why?  I am fine purchasing used as I tend to like working on/refurbing trains etc as much as running them.

I have some HO power packs from long ago (I think I can find them) that I assume should be okay for providing DC.  The engine purchased is an unknown vintage Sunset Models E-6 4-4-2.  Will see if it runs and go from there.

Thanks in advance!

My favorite is Micro Engineering's weathered code 125 nickle silver. I think ME has a best looking tie, tie plate and spike head profile in O scale. It's a little stiffer but once you get the hang of it, it only takes a few moments to shape a section to desired radius. Atlas code 148 is very nice too,  very flexible.

Thanks Again to everyone for being so generous with their time and experience.  Being still rather new to O scale and brand new to two rail I really appreciate you sharing what has I am sure taken a very long time to learn.  Thank you!

I like the Micro Engineering track; I used their unweathered code 148 (easier to bend) for my layout and painted it after installation. Once you get the curvature correct, which involves shifting the ties along the length of the section to maintain proper spacing, the track holds its shape, making it easy to mate with curved sections that have already been secured to the subroadbed. I glued mine down with Weldbond and then used diluted white glue to secure the ballast. All the track has remained absolutely secure for almost 20 years.

So as far as switches go, what should I be looking at?  I am used to caboose throws on Ross and I have ceramic Leviton throw switches for power because I like the look of steam punk / Frankenstein power switches.

One of the old Lionel red switchboards would be nice.

So @Robbin, did you attend the Aug. 10th Strasburg 2R Show and, if so, what did you think of it?

Hi yes I did!  It was great.  I liked the being able to chat with folks and picked up a passenger car bargain!  And of course after walking the show a few times I went to the PA railroad museum and hit the speckled hen for lunch so it was a great day.

Did you go?  Would have coordinated more but did not know if I was going until the day before.  I am going to the next one if possible.

Thanks

I was not very clear.  I meant track switches like Atlas?  Peco?  Manual control.  Are there others?

Signature Switch and O Scale Turnouts.

Thanks Phil!  Those look great!

You’re welcome. I was just about to add to that post because I was running out the door when I posted it. I have 4 switches from Signature Switch and they operate flawlessly. Brad Strong (owner) is basically the Steve Ross of 2 rail. If you need a custom size he will make it for you. These include curved turnouts and 3 way turnouts. I have never used O Scale turnouts but I have heard good things about them.  

Also you can make your own switches either by hand or with tools from Fast Tracks. Www.handlaidtrack.com.

@AGHRMatt posted:

I like the look of Micro Engineering weathered track, but flexing it can be challenging. Over 10 years ago,  one of my apprentices used it to make a "shooting stand". It was a track laying/ballasting exercise. He gave it to me and I still have it. The non-weathered is easier to flex.

This is why I like 2 rail because it's so realistic.

A lower cost option to purchasing commercially built turnouts is to lay your own using point, frog, and guard rail castings from Right-O-Way.  Years ago, someone posted a link on this forum to a video showing how to do it.   

I’ll get shelled lol but lay your own!!

Thanks!  I will consider hand laying switches.  Looks pretty fun and I dont envision I would need too many.  My plan is not to try and put in a lot of track and switches as my space is limited.  I would like one staging yard that could use switches purchased.