I've recently become aware that JEP, the French manufacturer of, inter alia, tinplate 0 ga trains produced a range of 3-rail track very similar to -- and in some respects better than -- Lionel's Super 0. Using primarily an Internet search for ' Jep voies traverse plastique' yielded the following:
1. This range of track was introduced in 1958; BUT they had applied for a French patent on it in 1953, which was awarded in 1956, and they used it on their 3-rail HO line beginning in 1955. It remained in production to the end of their 0 gauge line in 1964.
2. An excellent assortment was offered: manual and remote turnouts, curves in both 24" and 32" radii [ = 048 and 064 ], a 30 deg crossing, shorter curved and straights, an adapter piece to 'classic' stamped track, etc
3. The track system is often used on French modular tinplate public display layouts, and on some impressive private ones.
4. Reproduction track is available, including flex track !
In my opinion it seems superior in looks to Super 0, perhaps because of the wider radii and the black ties, and the range of what was available seems superior, too.
Photos can be found using the search above. Do any OGR'ers use this stuff ?
Disclaimer: I do not use or collect European tinplate -- I just find some aspects of it 'interesting'.
With best regards, SZ
Note: "traverse plastique" [ = plastic ties ] is how this track is nomally distinguished.
