SUPER-O TRACK

Before someone asks you about cut rollers, I want to chime in...

Thanks for posting.  I have also noticed many variations, and have alot of Super O Track.  The ones that are unique to me are the pieces with the lettering on the TOP of the Ties.

I have several of these tracks and believe they were early tooling.  The ties are more square and they seem to have a different texture of simulated wood.  Most all Super O has the Lionel lettering in the mounting recess between the ties.

I have alot of track but have only a few pieces of this type.  I have production samples, lots of unique pieces in my Super O Museum.  I consider the top lettered unique...

I never quite understood the issue with rollers.

How much do they cost?  $1

I mean, so even if, and that is a big IF, you have to change rollers every once in a while, what is the big deal?

Unless I am missing something.

Super-O Bob, from one Super O Bob to another, would you consider sharing some photos of your items?

What would you consider to be your most expensive piece of Super-O track?

Bob Mintz

P.S.  Saw this at at show, think it was at Hofstra N.Y. many years ago

Hello,

I'll apologize up-front for thread stealing - but it seems like I may be able to get some knowledgeable advice here.  I just purchased a fair amount (enough to do a 5X10 double oval or something like it) of Super O track and 4 or 5 switches from the son of the original owner.  It is all in pretty nice condition.  I do not know much about Super O as far as ease of use, durability or any unique issues as compared to tubular or FastTrack.  I have heard the roller wear comment in the past - just as many people say this is not the case.  If I were to look for more of this track are there any points to be aware of?  Any concerns with the switches?  Can you run larger locos on the (036?) Super O curves?  Is oxidation/track cleaning any more of an issue?  Are there any advantages to Super O over other track?  Is it noisy compared to other track?  Where is the best source to learn about the various track sections offered by Lionel?  Does anyone offer repair/replacement pieces?  Sorry for so many questions.  Thanks for your time and advice.

Mike M.

Check out the Super O group on Yahoo.  You can find a lot of info there. 

But regarding your questions:  I have had Super O track since 1959.  I have yet to replace a roller. 

There is a later version of the remote switches, the 112R.  It is supposed to be better than the first version.  Usually the switches work just fine. 

As long as the engine is listed at being able to handle 0-36 curves it will be fine. 

Cleaning the track is the same as for tubular tinplate track. 

Advantages? - IMO it is the best looking of any of the sectional track systems.  Some people don't like it - whatever.

I don't find it to be noisy.  It is much quieter than Fastrack. 

The Yahoo Super O group has nearly everything to know about Super O.  Mike, the moderator, is also probably the biggest dealer in this track around. 

There are repo buss bar connectors and pins available.  There are also custom wide radius curves available, up to at least 0-72 radius.

John

Was it $995 for each switch !?  Whoa! 

John

Was it $995 for each switch !?  Whoa! 

 

John

Even for the Pair it's SO rediculous! "Hey Fred... how would you like me to..."

Bob:

I shopped at E.J. Korvettes in Downtown Brooklyn. I believe they also had a store on W.49th St. between 5th & 6th Aves. on the same block as Masters Department Store.  In the mid 60's Korvettes opened a large store on 5th Av at 47th St. I was working at Columbia Records in the CBS building on 6th Av. at 52nd St. at that time.

Trains operate quieter on Super O Track than on either tubular or Fast Track.

The center rail of Super O Track has a wider contact area then tubular track. The only locomotive that I own of which I replaced the rollers was my #2340 GG1 which has very strong pickup roller assembly springs.

I too would have liked if Lionel had made wider radius curves. When Lionel came out with Fast Track I purchased enough track to replace the outer loop of track on my layout with Fast Track using 048 curve track so that I could run some of the longer locomotives and passenger cars.

I have several boxes of Super O Track of most types that I do not think I will ever use if anyone is interested in purchasing some let me know.

Ed G.

email me at: edmickey@optonline.net

Ha, I think I saw those red switches before at York.

My best piece is a 1960 (I think) demo switch that is molded in Black Plastic.

I do have alot of strange stuff, including test shots of the ties done about 10 years ago when they were testing the tooling.

Unfortunately all my stuff is packed away until I get the new layout done.  You can get on Youtube under superobob 's channel and see my old layout.  It was custom wide radius super O.

http://www.youtube.com/user/superobob/videos?view=0

My 5x14 layout is all Super O.   IMO it is the best track I have every used.  Trains run smoothly and are very quiet.   I run my Century Hudson on it without problems.

Thanks for the comments everyone.  Who makes larger radius Super O curves?  Larger radius sounds very interesting.

Mike M.

Super O Bob,

Ok, large custom curves...but how about switches?   Are there 072 switches that mate and match in appearance with Super O track?  Or wider curved switches?

Steve

You can do it(it's remarkably easy):

Making Custom Radius Super O

Mike:

Here’s a link to the Yahoo Super O group:

Lionel_SuperO_Track : Lionel "Super O" Trackage

Ask that question over there and you will get responses from several members who make and sell custom radius Super O curves.

HTH,

Bill  

Custom made Super O curves are available from Gene Becker: gbecker@comcast.net

He does beautiful work.

Not unless you make your own.  However, Ross and Gargraves will mate up with Super O with a little fiddling and the ties are similiarly sized.  Some weathering would help visually blend them together more.  If you were really ambitious you could replace the black center rail with Super O center rail removed from junk track.

John

Richard Reichard (Indiana) sells a device for rebending (rolling) Super 0 to whatever

radius you like. He also sells a manual for making your own Super ) switches.

He has a table at the back of the blue hall at York.

Al W.

Just had some wide radius track done by Gene Becker---072 and 054

His work is awesome---the track is perfect

I did send him mint super o curves---I have plenty of new super o track---he likes to use curves with silver (1959 and later) not black tie-plates

It looks like Lionel made it---blends in with standard production track

He was a pleasure work with---everything was done in a timely fashion

Great guy

Thx

Joe S  

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all of the comments and information.  I joined the yahoo group - it is a good source as advised here - alot of fun to explore.  I also want to check out the info for making or purchasing larger radius curves.  One more question.  Are there any issues with using Super O with any of the operating accesories at all?

Thanks again.

Mike M.

Sorry for late reply...  Been working on the layout...

I designed some custom super o switches.  I have 0-72", O-92" and O-144" switches.  I had them in operation for a few years and they have worked very well.

Basically the track is very easiy to bend to a form.  There are some tips to doing it but many have made it now.  It is really something that someone with average skill can do on their own.

Super O Bob,

What is your new layout going to be like? Any photos yet? I enjoyed your other layout.

It will be very similar to the last one:  All same track, 4 loops of track, similar layout with dogbones.  Except it will be in multiple rooms, which will also allow it to be slightly larger and have different scenry.

Yeah, I'm on the Super O bandwagon too - I think the best track ever. There is something that always seems to puzzle me: as featured in Lionel catalogs, the 'switch controller' seems to be featured in brown. I have never seen any in brown. Do they really exist? I know modern switch controllers were made in brown, but in a different style, where you would change the clear bulb, but the lens was colored. The original switch controllers were black, where the bulb is the color of the indicator. I wanted to find out if this type of controller was made in a brown. thanks

Very Good question Super O Man...

I personally have never seen any in the PW era.  I think it was catalog art showing them in brown.  Likely they would be black so they match transformers, and activation switch controllers etc... on a control panel.

Thanks for posting this.  I made my switches from the basic idea Rich had in the switch builders manual.

I will have to check out the bending device...  Sounds cool...  leave it to Rich.

Super O Bob,

Great information!  Is there any chance that you can provide us a picture showing your 072 and larger switches?

Thanks in advance,

Steve

Steve-

Yes, I can take a few pic's.  It has been so long since I took them out of the storage box.  Might take some time to locate these.

I will look for some tonite

at the very end of this video you can see a 0-92" super o switch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nthSid9hSoU

This video starts with a train going thru a Super O  O-144" switch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3hWuvwH38

that is the best I got at the mmoment until I take pics...

Thanks Bob!

Steve

Super O Bob you might want to check this out  https://ogrforum.com/d.../lastReply#lastReply