New to the Hobby.

Welcome,  3 rail track is 3 rail track.  There are many selections of 3 rail track, MTH realtrack is just one.  Not my favorite but it comes with the set so why not start there.  Any O gauge rolling stock will work with the other.  You will find some is what is called "semi scale"  or "traditional"  These are O gauge but somewhat smaller overall.  Somewhere on this forum is a thread that compares the sizes.  If you can't find it here a google search will help you narrow it down.  Since you have been in the hobby for a while you already know it's a process, the only rule is to have fun.

Welcome Chris,

While you get track with the starter set I would upgrade to Gargraves three rail track sometime after you get a bit aquainted with the MTH set and buy a larger transformer unless it is a 75 watt transformer in the set. This is opinion but MTH real trax and MTH scale trax are lousy stuff.

Most engines and rollong stock will couple together, one exception is the use of Kadee couplers in O gauge or scale.

Also watch out for two rail stuff in O scale, the cars will work on three rail but may derail much easier. Two rail O scale engines won't work in three rail O gauge.

Lee Fritz

Welcome Chris,

I made the switch from HO to O gauge like you are doing about 4 years ago.  I started with an MTH set, just as you are doing.  I agree with Lee and Necrails, you need to buy only 3-rail cars and engines, but all brands are interchangeable.  The remote controller you will get with your set will control only that engine, but it will give you an idea of the sounds, lights, and speed control available in Ogauge.  You will need to advance to a DCS systems if you buy more engines.  You can look into that later.

As to track, they make many interface track sections that let you connect one type to another.  Coming from HO myself, I agree with the point that I think GarGraves is the most realistic looking, and it is very dependable.  I have tried Lionel's Fastrack, which has the molded on ballast like your MTH RealTrack, and the old standby tubular track from old postwar era.  Though it costs more, I want to use GarGraves on my permanent layout.

This is all I have time to write, as I need to get back to work, but you have come to the right place to learn about O gauge.  This is where I learned as you are starting now.  The folks here are great!  

Chris:

Welcome aboard!  I think necrails answered most of your questions except for this one.  Yes, that engine will only run on 3-rail track.  You can NOT run that train on 2-rail O scale track.  And as he posted, there are plenty of 3-rail track choices from many different manufacturers. 

Also, that engine is designed to run on low-voltage AC from a toy train transformer, not a DC power pack like you are used to in HO. 

HTH,

Bill

First, the track: Lionel Realtrack and MTH Fastrack won't couple to each other directly, but there are ways of finagling should that become necessary.

Second, just about anything 3-rail will run on all of the 3-rail track brands. What you run and how you run it is up to you; some people insist on everything being scale, some are happy with the more toy-like appearance of tinplate or old Marx, some don't mind one way or the other (that would be me.) Your more important limitations are apt to be what will run on your layout's curves and what looks best if that's important to you. (Some really long scale locomotives and cars can take tighter curves, but look odd.Whether or not you mind is your business.)

Now and then you'll run into a coupler height issue or two cars that just don't seem to play well together, but that can be fixed.

In general, when you build your layout, use the widest curves you can fit into the space, just as you would in HO.

Most of the new stuff in O gauge or three rail scale runs on AC voltage form a transformer.

Two rail scale uses DC voltage from a power supply. Unlike H.O. two rail O scale needs more power then H.O. scale.

As far as track; Gargraves and Ross use the same track pins and will usually mate up together with out adapter pins. Ross tinplate tradition swithces are the exception.

From use I have found that 027 track will mate to Gargraves with just adapter pins.

MTH track needs to use an adapter track to O gauge tubular and then use adapter pins.

Lee Fritz

Wow!

thanks for all of the input I have to chew on this and when the starter set gets here, if the wife does not wrap it for under the Christmas Tree I will dig in. I started to look at Gargraves track on-line, looks like a nice product.

just some background, in what seems like half a lifetime ago I use to play with the real ones, but just the little ones, I worked for USS Duquesne plant and was an auto-repairman for the loco shop. I would work on then operate our G.E. 44 tonne center cab switchers. All narrow gauge track only, never got to play with even the 1500 series rear cab switchers on the std. gauge tracks but did get to turn a wrench or two on them. this was the late 70's but it stuck with me. Guess that's why I want to get into the bigger scale now over the HO units.

Thanks again for all your help, please pile it on as your experience will most likely decide how my layout will be, I am thinking modern industrial or similar.

Chris

There are several manufacturers of O gauge motive power and rolling stock. Atlas, Williams by Bachman, K Line,(no longer in Business), MTH, Lionel, Sunset 3rd Rail, Key Imports, Kohs, Menards, RMT,  Weaver Models, (also out of business). RGS Trains, (repaints), and ETS Electric Train Systems. I may have missed some?

I would like to mention that Atlas track will mate with Gargraves and Ross, using the Atlas track connectors. There are adapters made to mate all track systems.

Three rail engines and rolling stock can be converted to two rail, and vise versa. 

Welcome to the forum and the world of O gauge.

Don

If you want to take a look at track. look at Atlas, MTH, Lionel, Gargraves and Ross. It all depends on what you want to do and how you plan. If your new, simple is best until you get you feet wet. If your MTH ready to run set came with track then you can gather some insight.

Major mags, OGR have ads where their are comparisons - look on line at their websites and take a look and if your still not sure, go buy a section or two or each so you gain perspective. 

It is all about what you want and like 

Using Atlas Track is great because you have no hollow sounds and Menard's sells O gauge train cars at a very affordable price.

Welcome aboard Chris.  Lots of info and questions on the best toy and model train forum on the web.

Chris,

And I also worked at Duquesne Works for a short time, but in the 1960's.

Bill

Murdock,

   Welcome to the OGR forum, the best forum on the Net.  There are lots of different kinds of O gauge Track, MTH RealTrax is what came with your MTH Train set, although a decent track I like the Lionel FasTrack much better, especially with the new Command Controls Switches.  Do some investigate work and pick which track you happen to like best and build your layout with it, you will get lots of different opinions here about which track is best.  Your 3 rail O gauge trains will run on almost any O Gauge track.  If you want to run 2 rail talk to Willygee (Bill Ingram) or some of the others who have 2 rail layout, before you go down that path.  I like the 3 rail myself, with Tin Plate Trains.  Your MTH train is set up to run on AC power, different than your DC HO.  When you want to get into O Gauge Remote Control there are the MTH DCS and the Lionel TMCC/Legacy sections to help you implement those control systems.  With O Gauge trains you always want to purchase a bigger transformer than you think you are going to need, you will eventually expand your layout as you become more experienced.  

Have fun!

PCRR/Dave

Chris,

A few words about remote control systems in O gauge three rail. Lionel's TMCC and Legacy work with Lionel's TMCC & Legacy but won't work with MTH DCS PS-2 & PS-3.

MTH's DCS works with PS-2 & PS-3 by MTH, not sure if DCS will work with TMCC or Legacy.

Also if you get into remote control operating cars by K-Line or Williams they need a separate remote control(either K-Line or Williams remote control) to work with as TMCC & DCS are not installed by the factory in any remote control operating car.

Lee Fritz

"My new O gauge is a MTH RailKing set, SD70 diesel "

Good choice as you also have DCS built in to the loco. 

MTH DCS system will work with both DCS as well as TMCC and legacy, though some minor  TMCC and legacy features may not work.

Once you are settled, you will want to expand by getting the MTH DCS system and remote. If you wish to add Lionel products, a simple wire and Lionel command base will be needed to operate Command  equipped locos.

BTW, welcome to this addictive hobby Dave G.

Welcome Chris!
Have fun with your new set. When I came over from N gauge many years ago, the three things I found myself having to remember was to make sure the cars and engines I got ran on the curved track I had, that return loops were possible, and that remote control options were proprietary (rather than within the world of DCC).

Boy, I was just thinking when we talk about remote control, it sure can look confusing: PS-2, PS-3, DCS, TMCC, Legacy...