Who makes tubular "Lionel" track?

Lionel tubular, both O27 and O31, was in the 2012 Volume 2 catalog.  I'm sure they'd love to sell all Fastrack given manufacturing, shipping, and inventory considerations, but like many folks here, my layout is all tubular so the market is there.

If you put in track on the Lionel web site Product search, you will see tubular track. Yes, they still make it.

Nope.  Just tried.  182 products came up, but none of them traditional tubular.

Check that.  Just re-read your post.  I first hit the Store link on Lionel's site.  Went back and tried the Products link as you suggested and there I can see tubular.  Odd they have it on the base site, but not the store.

Try the back of the 2012 Volume 2 catalog if you need stock numbers and pricing.  My LHS always has plenty of tubular.

just type "track" in the search box.

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Finder/SearchResults.cfm?doAction=search&Keywords=track&CategoryID=&Gauge=&RailLineID=&CatalogID=&CollectionID=&searchWithin=Current

MichMikeM...Yes RMT Super Snap Track is tubular style and mates quite easily with other tubular track. Use the snap feature and pins with RMT connector set to mate. Currently on sale for another 3 days.

Visit: 

www.readymadetoys.com

Thanks.

Walter M. Matuch

Lionel tubular track is available from a good number of dealers, many of whom have an online presence.  You should have no real problem finding it.

Mike

Yes as Walter says, mates right up with Lionel O tubular same rounded top. It is better IMO because unlike Lionel track,  the 2 outside rails are isolated and it is easy to make outside insulated rails to activate accessories. My layout has an automated block system using relays so this is a big plus for me. Lionel type uncoupling tracks,accessories etc, join right up as does O-27 with a some conversion pins.  My other layout is Atlas NS but I like the K-line just as well and it is much cheaper. Here are a few pics of some O-120 I purchased years ago. It is also a surprising quiet track for tubular,I think due to the thick plastic ties..

Click on the photo to enlarge. On the floor,bottom right of the first photo you will see part of a relay bank which switches the trains to keep them from colliding on a loop.

Dale H

Mike,

FWIW, stay away from the Lionel tubular track. The same hold true for MTH tubular as well. Both are of very, very poor quality from you know where. I bought case lots of all sizes almost thirty-five years ago. Before Lionel started importing the flimsy, cheap poo-poo stuff. And have no regrets doing so.

Pop in over on the Tinplate Forum. There are a few members using brand-new high quality American made Tubular track.

Williams still makes tubular track(no switches) similar to Lionel's style of track, also RMT makes the old K-Line Super Snap track and switches that mates up to Lionel style tubular track.

Lee Fritz

I would never call Fastrack rounded top tubular.  At best I'd call it flat top tubular.  As I'm not currently near any track to take a picture, below is the best photo I could find with a quick search online showing the flat top profile.  It's true you can mate Fastrack with old style O, but it's not as simple as trading out the pins since they are not directly compatible.  You need the transition piece. 

Then how do you do it and keep the connection tight?  Are you just using the track screws to lock in the adjacent tracks?

It's just a hyped up UCS track from the postwar era without the extra control rails. Nobody ever thought it wasn't tubular.