What method and tools do you use to put together tubular track

You're probably thinking of the t-tracker - see this thread:  https://ogrforum.com/...oining-tool-opinions

I don't know if it's still available.

Personally, I cloak two 0-5-0 locomotives in leather gloves. 

I got a T-tracker on the forum some months ago. That is a really nice tool and puts the track together very well.

Thanks for the replies and information.
Mallard, I guess my 0-5-0s don’t have as much steam power as yours do. 🥴

Bob,

I've never really needed anything but gloved hands to get there track joints tight.

For more tubular track tips, go here: Lionel Tubular track info & tips (warrenvillerailroad.com)

Have fun!

I have a T-Tracker I bought off the forum, it works best on straights. Doesn't work at all on K-Line switches.

Another method is to take a tap hammer and and lightly smack the edge of the rail, while holding the same rail on the second section of track; so if its outer rail, hold the outer rail on the second piece, middle, middle on the second piece, and so on. Then I try to move each rail a small bit, kind of like tightening lug nuts. Works on O72, don't know about O31.

I use gloves and the flat side of lineman's pliers or wire cutters.

I like the clicking clack sound of tightly coupled tubular track.  But an eighth inch gap would remind me too much of the real life 60 degree crossing near my house.

Bob, as I recall you can order and/or buy it with jaws for different tracks.  Now it is not inexpensive!

Ron

I tried sending an email to ttracker2(at)aol(dot)com - came back undeliverable.  I recall seeing them blowing them out at York about 5 years ago - the item was quite expensive, and demand fell off as people moved away from tubular track.

@Mallard4468 posted:

I tried sending an email to ttracker2(at)aol(dot)com - came back undeliverable.  I recall seeing them blowing them out at York about 5 years ago - the item was quite expensive, and demand fell off as people moved away from tubular track.

But they had interchangeable jaws for most all track systems.  My image above is for/with Gargraves!

Ron

@PRRronbh posted:

But they had interchangeable jaws for most all track systems.  My image above is for/with Gargraves!

Ron

I wasn't specifically referencing your pics.  As I recall, although they did have capability for other types of track, it was primarily marketed for use with tubular.