Well, as I continue to look into O scale 2 rail, I see several names on eBay that manufacture track. Atlas, Lenz, Rivarossi, Micro Enginerring, Lima. Most do not list what Code it is (Micro Engineering does). Are they all interchangeable, compatible? How do you know what Code it is? Are they all nickle silver? Unlike HO track/rail, it seems as though Code rail size for O scale is either not known, or not listed. Why is that?
Where do you guys get your track, if you handlay, where do you get it?
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1. Atlas, Lenz and Micro 148 are compatible; a search in this forum for ' micro code ', ' Lenz ' etc will turn up recent posts discussing these. Peco makes a nice Code 148, but the range is limited. Micro also makes 125.
2. Rivarossi and Lima have been out of 0 ga for years, and made primarily* sectional track for train sets, etc. Again, do a search for ' Rivarossi code ' for some recent posts here on this topic.
I'd avoid Lima track. It's similar to Riv., but cheaper quality.
Best rgds, SZ
*Riv did make "3 ft" flex sections, but they are not very common.
For one looking to break into 2 Rail O Scale. I'd say the simplest way for the average guy is to buy into the Atlas 2 rail line since they have turnouts ready to go which match their flex track lengths and also their sectional parts if one choose to use those. Now if your adventuresome and want to get more hands on the construction of ones own turnouts, that opens up a new opportunity and the various rail codes sizes, which you've expressed interest in, come more into play as well.
If you search into the multitude of various discussion that have taken place here and elsewhere you will see the availability of suitable turnout has always been the 2 Rail stumbling block.
So you need to decide what your willing/capable of doing on your own, and proceed from there. The various brand names you tossed around in your question are for the most part less acceptable ways of entering 2 rail reliably in my opinion. Stay with a source you can get predictably, as I suggested above. Others will have opinions as well.
Handlaying requires supplies and many potential source are available, but be sure you want to leap into the deep end of the 2 rail pool before you chase that side hobby.
2 Rail is a world unto itself and many of the ready to go items associated with 3 Rail toy trains are just not there unless you dig deeper into the hobby. We feel it's well worth it.
Bob
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