Super O Track

There is a very active bunch of modelers using super O track, and they discuss it daily on the Super O group, on IO Groups. You need to join up to this group and look at all the info they have posted on the groups site.

Jeff

I like Super O but don’t use it anymore. The biggest drawback I encountered was with loks that had severe overhang while on a curve and entering a switch. My Trainmaster would hit the switch motor cover. This can be remedied by placing a straight section prior to entering the switch. Not a good option if you’re tight on space, which I was.

Steve

It is a space saver for me. Other than fast track, its the only o36 curve track out there. I think atlas had 21st century at one time?

I like it on sidings to hide the middle rail.

As for switch clearance, it helps to use straights on each end. That has always been an oversight.

Clearly a poor choice by Lionel years ago to not have resurrected Super O for modern layouts with more track options. Still one of the best looking 3 rail track systems out there today!  ScaleTrax came close but the odd tie spacing was probably it's major downfall for those of us who wanted a more prototypical track appearance.

A good quiet track. Some prewar rolling stock hit the ties when running. Limited to 036.

There were a couple of guys out there who would take two 036 sections of Super O and make it into one 072 section. Looked great. The two problems were it was a costly process and if you wanted Super O switches you were stuck with 036.  

My layout is all Super O and I am very happy with it. The 36” diameter doesn’t bother me as I am not a scale guy; I am fine with postwar steam and Rail King steam which look just fine on 36” diameter curves. It’s saved me a lot of $$$ by not being able to buy scale sized engines. If you do want to run larger engines or 18” or 21” passenger cars,then it would not be a good choice for you. Even the 60’ RailKing passenger cars can look a little awkward on the curves but not too bad.

Mack

PS- I do have the 1987 grey 50th anniversary Hudson scale-sized that runs fine on the Super O curves

Pros, looks great, can be had at train shows for much less than the newer systems.

Cons, lots of track joints, limited to one curve size, cant easily create an insulated rail.

@NYC Fan posted:

There were a couple of guys out there who would take two 036 sections of Super O and make it into one 072 section. Looked great. The two problems were it was a costly process and if you wanted Super O switches you were stuck with 036.  

If you join the Super O group you can see photos of how to make larger diameter curves using Super O. Its actually not that difficult but does take patience. Not much harder than bending Gargraves after cutting the ties.

Pete

@SIRT posted:

It is a space saver for me. Other than fast track, its the only o36 curve track out there. I think atlas had 21st century at one time?

I like it on sidings to hide the middle rail.

As for switch clearance, it helps to use straights on each end. That has always been an oversight.

Menards also sells tubular track O-36 curves.

Steve

If you watch my YouTube videos you will see a straight section in front of the passenger station.  I love the track so much with found memories of my childhood, I had to incorporate it into my current layout.