On30 track choices?

When I first started trying to do On30, I used Micro Engineering HO track with about 20% of the ties removed and the rest spread out.  Since the narrow gauge track I had seen was California logging railroads the ties were mostly buried in the dirt or roadbed so it looked fine to me.  I was using Athearn HO trucks, which were pretty well hidden under the cars.  I never got to the engine but had planned to use the techniques I had read about in the Railroad Model Craftsmen in the early 1970's.  HO mechanisms with O scale cabs and so on.  For turnouts, I was using Atlas #4's with some of the ties trimmed to give the wider tie spacing. 

 

That was well before Peco and ME offered their On30 track.

 

Greg

 

I also used HO flex track. I removed every other tie. It's not great IMO, both from the standpoint of tie spacing and tie length, but good enough to give a backwoods feel. Next time I'll probably go for either ME or Peco.

 

 

 

Jim

I have used code 100 Peco turn outs and code 100 M E track.  I like the Peco turnouts because they are power routing.  I have not bought any track for a few years, so maybe ME has started producing Code 100 turn outs, if so check them out.

Al

In the past, I have used Atlas HO Code 100, and still have some that I'll likely use on my next On30 pike.  I also have most of a box--minus a section or two--of the Peco On30 flex track, but I'll probably sell that at some point.

I'm leaning toward ME code 83. I can use their turnouts in most spots--I will have to build a few curved turnouts.

 

Any impressions of ME turnouts?

 

Jeff C

IMO, the choice lies in your prototype.  If your setting is European than close tied Peco is the natural.  If Western US prototype then ME would be most in favor if appearance is important.

 

For 0n30 buy your track made on the continent of your model trains.

 

As far as code goes, 83 would look best.  However, being the average half blind club fisted code 148 0 scaler I used code 100 ME.

 

There was a reason I left HO!  Too small is just too small.

 

Kinda funny comment I got from my wife awhile ago.  We got married when I was in #1 scale and 1 1/2" scale then I switched to 0w5 nineteen years ago.  When she saw her first HO model train she asked "What is that?"  When I explained it she responded with "Why even bother?"

 

Not sure of what her response will be with N or Z.  tt

Jim, I thought you were getting close to retirement and waiting for you come to Missouri and see your daughter.

Al

Al,

 

With each new morning, I get closer to retirement, but I am still a couple of years away, by contract with the university.  My daughter gets her PhD in May from Mizzou.  Unfortunately, her graduation and our graduation are the same day ... according to my boss, I get to stay in Tampa.  Such is life ... I'll get out there yet, so we can share some stories,

 

Jim

 

I'm probably going to use Kato Unitrack in most areas, at least initially. I'll ballast and blend in the Unitrack into the scenery (probably in a limited area as a test) and make a judgment as to whether I like it or not.It's a small layout, so I can make changes easily.

 

Jeff C

Jeff, it sounds like a good plan to me.

Al

I'm using ME On30 flex in code 83 with hand built switches. Next I plan to hand lay all of it Nate

I to am very intrested in ON30 track choices? If code 83 was the most accurate for standared gauge HO. Then wouldn't code 100 look better for O scale Or O Narrow gauge?  Gargraves ties also look great as trestle ties on ON30.

Code 100 rail, in O Scale, is about 70 lb rail.  Pretty heavy duty on most narrow gauge lines.  The D&RGW had 75 lb on the heavily traveled routes.

 

ChipR

Thanks Chip.I guess I want to stick with code 100 because I might want to add some peco track to the layout. It seems its only available in code 100

Since I first posted this a couple of years ago, I have added a yard and engine facility and started replacing all of the Peco track with Micro Engineering Code 83 On30 track.  The ties and spacing are correct for American prototype and I am happy with the result.  Only 1 year to retirement and the new J&RG.

These are all very good tips. Things I'll take in concideration when I build my ON30 layout.

www.custmtrax.com hands down. I am surprised so few people are aware of their track.

 

http://www.custmtrax.com/on_30_gauge.html

Jonathan,

     Have track from Custom Trax and just received my switches that I ordered. Nice track/switches.

Bruce

I had never heard of this firm so I immediately checked their site.  In my opinion it is poorly set up.  There are no details about the various scales.  It does not have any photos of the 0n30 track products, such as tie size and spacing and what overall appearance you will get after installation.

 

It was, to me, a turnoff.  It is no longer under consideration as an addition to my present trackage.

 

Tony

Google is your friend... I instantly found about a dozen images. You might not want to be so rigid in your thinking.

 

Found at http://on30insider.com/blog/2011/07/20/1440/

 

 

Sorry to have to disagree with you Jonathan.

 

When I visit a site which purports to sell trackage products I expect the site to show examples of their product line.  Why go to all the trouble to set up the site and, in effect, force a potential customer to leave that site and search the internet to find examples of their product?  It would seem to be a waste of time for both the site owner and potential customers.

 

I am flexible, but there are limits to my desire to waste time searching for something that should be in the manufacturers website.

 

By the way, beautiful track!  I am still interested, but the site is still a turnoff.

 

Tony

 

 

I certainly understand what you are saying. He is a one man show though. Very small operation, but with fantastic products. He has expanded from S to HO, On30, and soon Sn3 and On3 I think. With On30 being the niche that it is I wouldn't worry too much about the site. I'd be more concerned with the product. The fact that you can get ready to run ballasted track pre-mounted on roadbed that looks that good is all that matters to me personally. Give him a call. He is a very friendly and helpful guy.

 

Consider how many problems most companies are having getting their track made overseas in all scales. I think supporting a company like Custom Trax that makes their products here in the US is a wise choice. And again, just look at it...

I dont know If its' just me...? But i find that the Peco track runs the smoothest!. I feel when the Bachmann company first came out with on30 they probably made everything to fit the traditional HO track...no?.I roll my cars on Peco next to M.E. code 83. the code 83 just feels cheap. I think I'm going to put M.E. code 100 on my trestles and Peco on the ground. I saw this guy Richards' pics from Australia on the net and he used Peco code 100 track, and his layout was amaizing! and it looked American.

Jim 193, just want to let you know, you only have 11 months left in the pits.  Looking forward to seeing your work once you are able to spend your time on building railroads instead of grading papers.

Hope we can get together some time this year, maybe at K.C. ?

Al (GRAND DADDY)

 

By the way Jim, I am doing Tin Plate now and have some pictures by the help of James, my live steamer buddy.  You can go to the Tin Plate Forum to see them,  Be careful, Tin PLate can be addictive.

Al

 

HEY JEFF,

 

There is no HO track more realistic than ATLAS flex, which lends itself nicely to narrow-gauge with simple modifications.

 

All Atlas outstanding shares were recently bought up by Karl Malden Enterprises, which has placed a media ban on rumors of a hostile takeover.

 

Rip Track

 

 

I like that CustomTrax......thanks for the info.

Jonathan,  have you used this track.  We are in planning stage of our new layout and I was planning on having a On30 line with our two 3 rail lines.  We are looking at about a 4 by 7 ft area for the On30.  I like what I see on their site, looks pretty simple and easy to use.  This would be our 1st try with On30 stuff so looking at all options, I also like the 009 size that uses N scale (I just learned of this scale).  Thanks for the link.  Nick