I have been a hi railer scale guy for 2 years. I am moving to retirement over 55 village with a decent sized basement and want to do a smaller O Scale (not O27) with 072 curves. What do they make in tubular? Will Hirail MTH and Lionel run on it? What size turnouts are available and who makes them? Can I use vintage 022 Lionel turnouts and what size engine will they handle. Teach my fellows..I have been a scale hi rail guy too long...time for tubular fun layout.
John
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You need to watch the curve size that is usually on the box of the engine or rolling stock to see what diameter curves it runs on, sometime you may need to consult a catalog to know for sure. I am using 042 switches on my current layout and like them better then the old 022 as that one is only 031 curve size.
I am not sure what all size switches are available but I use Ross Custom switches now with my layout because of running MTH engines. Ross Custom switches in 042 have one main advantage over Gargraves switch of the same size and it is all Ross rails have power through the switch unlike Gargraves.
One really nice thing about using either Gargraves or Ross switches is the switch motor is mounted on the side of the switch and can replaced while the track is totally in place on the layout.
FYI; I have some Gargraves switches from about 8 or 9 years ago and they are showing signs of wear and even breaking down on me. So in time I am replacing all my Gargraves switches with Ross Custom switches.
Lee Fritz
Another company who currently makes tubular track is Menard's Trains, I am not sure of the quality (good or bad)of Menard's track.
K-Line, Atlas and RMT made tubular track and switches as well.
Lee Fritz
Lots of tubular still available either new or used. Menards offers several radii in the O profile up to 096 at decent prices. Haven't tried any myself since I'm an Atlas guy (definitely not Charles though...). Modern Lionel 072 switches available as are postwar. When I say "modern" I mean in the last 20 years... Lots of folks use the Ross switches for reasons stated above. Yes, any Lionel/MTH/Williams/Weaver/3rd Rail/etc will run on it as long as your radius supports the loco requirements.
Glad you're coming back to the fun side. I play with my trains.
You are off to a good start by staying away from O27 and trying to use O72 as much as possible. Although there are rumors about the demise of tube track it is still commonly available in both used and new. Menards has low priced case quantities of O track in assorted curve sizes up to 72", however I do not recommend their track. Menards track, although it's shinny and new, I have found it to be about a mil off and the sections will not fit tightly together.
The most import thing is to design you layout to use the maximum curve size you can work in. On my layout I did one mainline with an O54 minimum and the another O42. This gives me the flexibility to operate most trains I can afford and an excuse not to purchase expensive O72 minimum stuff. 
I have retired almost all my O27 with the exception of a trolley line and a couple of display tracks. I find the layout runs best with standard O track and switches.
I too have read some forum posts about Menard's tubular track and people are saying some negative stuff about Menard's track.
I am using Lionel straights and curves(up to 042) and Gargraves track and curves in certain places. Want to replace all my Lionel track with Gargraves track and Ross Custom switches.
Why buy track twice? Spend a little bit more money and buy some decent track & switches the first time.
Lee Fritz
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