Menards is the current prouder of O gauge tubular track, including O-42. Bachmann also sells tubular track, but only in O-27, O-31, and O-72 sizes.

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

bmoran4 posted:

Menards is the current prouder of O gauge tubular track, including O-42. Bachmann also sells tubular track, but only in O-27, O-31, and O-72 sizes.

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

How does Menards 0-42 compare to MTH track. I saw in the forum that Menards track had issues in the beginning then fixed them? I also read that there was some issues with MTH track?

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Rob Shaubach posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Looked at their site and emailed them. They gave me a part number for flex track but when I pulled it up it was 3 rail not 5. Resent a email and hope they have something?

RonH posted:

I did contact USA trains and they do have what is needed. Since I m making new, I would like to use new O gauge track for the new standard gauge rails.

When I made my 5-rail curves, USA Track, LLC was able to provide everything (including rails) except the o gauge ties.  Unless things have changed, you should be able to get the appropriate rail from USA Track. You'll only need to provide ties by taking them from existing o gauge track.  

Also, there's a machinist/engineer duo selling on eBay who have created a tie-crimping tool that would be very helpful for putting together 5-rail track

PE Design Tool Thread 

I wish I would have had that tool when I was assembling my 5-rail.

RonH posted:

Rob Shaubach posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Looked at their site and emailed them. They gave me a part number for flex track but when I pulled it up it was 3 rail not 5. Resent a email and hope they have something?

The Gargraves 5 rail is a real bugger to bend to anything tighter than 72". It's good stuff, but be prepared.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

Rob Shaubach posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Looked at their site and emailed them. They gave me a part number for flex track but when I pulled it up it was 3 rail not 5. Resent a email and hope they have something?

The Gargraves 5 rail is a real bugger to bend to anything tighter than 72". It's good stuff, but be prepared.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I need a tighter curve, so it may be best to go with a 42” radius. Not sure weather to start with the Menars or MTH track, I m sure both have pros and cons. Figure I would ask to forum rather than make a wrong move. I like to learn from what other experienced.

RonH posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

Rob Shaubach posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Looked at their site and emailed them. They gave me a part number for flex track but when I pulled it up it was 3 rail not 5. Resent a email and hope they have something?

The Gargraves 5 rail is a real bugger to bend to anything tighter than 72". It's good stuff, but be prepared.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I need a tighter curve, so it may be best to go with a 42” radius. Not sure weather to start with the Menars or MTH track, I m sure both have pros and cons. Figure I would ask to forum rather than make a wrong move. I like to learn from what other experienced.

I’d recommend going with USA Track, not MTH or Menards. The quality is just better. Buy 42 or 57 inch STD Gauge track and Kirk will help get you the correct #2 and #4 rails, pins and insulators. You should be able to get junk track cheap to get the O ties. Have you seen my video on how to assemble it?

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

Rob Shaubach posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Looked at their site and emailed them. They gave me a part number for flex track but when I pulled it up it was 3 rail not 5. Resent a email and hope they have something?

The Gargraves 5 rail is a real bugger to bend to anything tighter than 72". It's good stuff, but be prepared.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I need a tighter curve, so it may be best to go with a 42” radius. Not sure weather to start with the Menars or MTH track, I m sure both have pros and cons. Figure I would ask to forum rather than make a wrong move. I like to learn from what other experienced.

I’d recommend going with USA Track, not MTH or Menards. The quality is just better. Buy 42 or 57 inch STD Gauge track and Kirk will help get you the correct #2 and #4 rails, pins and insulators. You should be able to get junk track cheap to get the O ties. Have you seen my video on how to assemble it?

Steve

Steve I did not see your video, I have a step by step instructions from tinplate times. Could you re post your video? All information will be helpful. Thanks about USA track. I will go that route.  Plus ordering the O gauge track and standard gauge rails, ties, insulators all from the same place would make my life easier. 

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

Rob Shaubach posted:

bmoran4 posted:

Gargraves has pre-made 5 rail track if you are willing to give up on the traditional tubular tie look.

I think the GG 5-rail only comes in flex track - not pre-formed curves, but I could be mistaken.  

Looked at their site and emailed them. They gave me a part number for flex track but when I pulled it up it was 3 rail not 5. Resent a email and hope they have something?

The Gargraves 5 rail is a real bugger to bend to anything tighter than 72". It's good stuff, but be prepared.

Steve

A real bugger is putting it mildly!  I got rid of mine and went back to USA standard gauge track.  Really wish someone would make pre formed 5 rail track! 

From what I read from this post it looks like people start out with standard gauge track then add the O gauge rails to it.

What I m thinking about doing is to start with a new o gauge track then add the standard gauge rails and tie/insulators.

I just want to have new for both. It looks like USA Track LLC does not make O gauge track so it would be Menards or MTH 0-42 track. I can get and add the standard gauge rails and ties to the 0 gauge track.

Saw a nice article (do not want to post the link as I do not want this post to get deleted).
Unable to post the article as of rights on where it is posted.

Make Your Own Five-Rail  Tinplate Track by Charles Grover
(If you need the article I will email you with the address, just ask)

Steve I did not see your video, I have a step by step instructions from tinplate times. Could you re post your video? All information will be helpful. Thanks about USA track. I will go that route.  Plus ordering the O gauge track and standard gauge rails, ties, insulators all from the same place would make my life easier. 

Here is a link to the video. https://youtu.be/84gGR_fO7ww

RonH posted:

From what I read from this post it looks like people start out with standard gauge track then add the O gauge rails to it.

What I m thinking about doing is to start with a new o gauge track then add the standard gauge rails and tie/insulators.

I just want to have new for both. It looks like USA Track LLC does not make O gauge track so it would be Menards or MTH 0-42 track. I can get and add the standard gauge rails and ties to the 0 gauge track.

Saw a nice article (do not want to post the link as I do not want this post to get deleted).
Unable to post the article as of rights on where it is posted.

Make Your Own Five-Rail  Tinplate Track by Charles Grover
(If you need the article I will email you with the address, just ask)

 

 

Ron, if you have a lot of straight area on your layout, you might consider doing those with the Gargraves, and only build the curves. If your track design has a lot of curves and not much straight, your stuck making it all. You might call The Train Crossing in Costa Mesa CA, 714-549-1596. They may still have a bit of Lionel O in stock. They are closed for spring break and reopen on April 10.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

RonH posted:

From what I read from this post it looks like people start out with standard gauge track then add the O gauge rails to it.

What I m thinking about doing is to start with a new o gauge track then add the standard gauge rails and tie/insulators.

I just want to have new for both. It looks like USA Track LLC does not make O gauge track so it would be Menards or MTH 0-42 track. I can get and add the standard gauge rails and ties to the 0 gauge track.

Saw a nice article (do not want to post the link as I do not want this post to get deleted).
Unable to post the article as of rights on where it is posted.

Make Your Own Five-Rail  Tinplate Track by Charles Grover
(If you need the article I will email you with the address, just ask)

 

 

Ron, if you have a lot of straight area on your layout, you might consider doing those with the Gargraves, and only build the curves. If your track design has a lot of curves and not much straight, your stuck making it all. You might call The Train Crossing in Costa Mesa CA, 714-549-1596. They may still have a bit of Lionel O in stock. They are closed for spring break and reopen on April 10.

Steve

Just want to thankl everyone for all the good information.

Steve what I planning to do is a 3 type loop on a 4 X 8 plywood type top.
The outside loop would be the 5-rail nd the loop next to it will be 0-27 (as I have a lot of new stuff.

Both loops will be going through tunnels at the one side.
There will This figure 8 with switches pushed to one end as a upper level As on top of a little mountain.

Thought the outside loop  would be fun running standard and O.
|There is not that much straights to modify so I may just as well go with the tubular.

As always I have more accessories than needed, but that is OK.

Chatted with Kirik via email about what brand O gauge track to use in making a 5 rail track. He suggested Menard's and stated modelers he knows stated that this tubular track is superior to Lionel/MTH.

So with this I will be doing some calculating on what I need from Menard's and USA Track then placing the order.

Just want to say thank you all for your ideas and support. I have learned so much from all of you. Thank you.

Now, once I get the items I will post the building of the track, unfortunately I will be in Vegas for 10 days (Trade show/set-up/work the show/Tear Down/No Fun 30 X 50 booth).
Once back I will place the order for the Materials.Any good train stores in Vegas?

RonH posted:

Chatted with Kirik via email about what brand O gauge track to use in making a 5 rail track. He suggested Menard's and stated modelers he knows stated that this tubular track is superior to Lionel/MTH.

So with this I will be doing some calculating on what I need from Menard's and USA Track then placing the order.

Just want to say thank you all for your ideas and support. I have learned so much from all of you. Thank you.

Now, once I get the items I will post the building of the track, unfortunately I will be in Vegas for 10 days (Trade show/set-up/work the show/Tear Down/No Fun 30 X 50 booth).
Once back I will place the order for the Materials.Any good train stores in Vegas?

Just ordered a case (24) of 0-42 curve tracks from Menards plus getting the promotional free truck with that.
I have some new o gauge long tracks and that should be enough to start.

Next step is ordering the standard gauge rails/Ties/insulators from US Track LLC.

Just want to THANK Steve "Papa" Eastman for the excellent advise and great vid. I am starting with new USA standard gauge track from Kirk because my standard gauge track from Lionel developed instant shorts if I had to move a tie even slightly. I also think starting with standard gauge track and using Kirk's rails will give me a lot less waste to cut off. Thanks again so much, you make a long repetitive job seem easy. I have been a member of this forum for several months but this is only my 3rd post. My layout is a close copy of the one in Peter Riddle's book about standard gauge because I love the accessories as much as the trains, but then along the way memories faded back to my youth and Marx and I have begun to assemble Marx items I can only look at and I dont have room for a seperate O gauge layout. I took 15 years to build a German/Swiss G scale layout in my barn that is gathering dust. I dont like being out there since my wife died and I dont know whats going on around the house. So I sold the dining room set and created my Standard gauge layout in there. It's only 7x13 but I love it.