Another question for the Standard Gauge Experts. Is Lionel, AF, and Ives track compatible?
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Prewar, kind of, newer stuff (like the plastic Lionel and MTH, no.
Buy new track from USA Track, 100 year old track is nothing but heartaches.
Jim
All old school Standard or Wide Gauge is compatible.
Curve Radius is 42 inches or so.
Ties and rust level may vary, I use a sand blaster to clean.
New track is best but old track is cheap, if you don't mind the extra work and problems with connections between sections.
Check for shorts, the old insulation may need to be replaced.
I second Jim's comments. Talk to Kirk at USA track. They have top quality track and insulators on the center rail. Better track = less problems down the road.
Use the best track available (USA Track) for your mainline. Older track can be used for sidings and display shelves. Dead end sidings are easy to find the shorts. If you find a shorted piece of track, destroy it so it doesn't get installed again.
Here is the website for the USA Track:
https://standardgaugetrack.com/
I really like their multi-tie track. It is the best looking Standard Gauge Track ever.
Scott Smith
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I second gftiv’s reply. USA Track is the best and comes in multiple radii to accommodate any layout.
I am going to speak from my own personal experience. Old track is great if you want lots of extra work to clean and replace insulators. By the way, that cleaning means you need to clean the rust out of the inside part of tube also if you want really good connection from rail to rail.
Modern era MTH and Lionel track looks nice however, bottom line, it is junk. I have just about replaced all of the insulators on the center rails of both manufacturers. The Lionel insulators crumbled over time and the MTH insulators were pinched so hard that the metal tabs over time poked through the insulation and shorted. I used the Lionel and MTH track because it was cheaper than the USA track. As the old say goes, you get what you pay for.
Several years ago, acquired some track from USA track and wow! The difference is phenomenal. Save time. Save effort. Give yourself a fantastic train running opportunity and just go with USA track. You WILL NOT be sorry that you did.
As stated already, use that old rusted track for sidings or display tracks. Looks great and works well for that purpose.
@SPIKE posted:Modern era MTH and Lionel track looks nice however, bottom line, it is junk. I have just about replaced all of the insulators on the center rails of both manufacturers. The Lionel insulators crumbled over time and the MTH insulators were pinched so hard that the metal tabs over time poked through the insulation and shorted.
Spike,
Do you mean Fastrack and Real Trax? Or are you talking about traditional tubular, which they probably haven't sold in 20 years?
My point is if they haven't sold it in years then why buy questionable N.O.S. from a third party when you can buy brand new (USA Track)?
Mike
The original poster requested compatibility of standard gauge track from Ives, over a century old, American Flier, half a century old and Lionel track, also a century old which would have been of the tubular variety. All from a third party unless it has been handed down through the family. My response is in regards to his original question in so far as the work involved to restore the old track.
As far as I know, Lionel never produced standard gauge Fastrack. I am not familiar in any way with the standard gauge MTH Real Trax.
MTH and Lionel did produce standard gauge tubular track into the early to mid 2000’s. That is the tubular track that I am referring to when I said modern era track. I should have been more clear in my explanation that I was referencing tubular track only.
Kirks product is the best out there hands down. As my current track needs replacement, I am replacing it with USA Track. My suggestion to the original poster is to save themselves immense work and grief and purchase USA Track to start with and have a good time running trains.
@SPIKE posted:Kirks product is the best out there hands down...My suggestion to the original poster is to save themselves immense work and grief and purchase USA Track to start with and have a good time running trains.
That's what I did, based on advice and opinions posted here...🙂
Mark in Oregon
