WOOPS. I bought a 2 rail car by mistake. ( Read descriptions carefully before you buy something ) I only have 3 rail. Should I just turn around and sell the 2 rail car, or can I run it with my 3 rail consists ?

Try running it on your track to see how it behaves. If not, perhaps consider trading the trucks with someone on this forum, who may want two rail trucks.

I was in a train store and saw an Atlas O car that caught my eye. I really liked it,  but when I read the description on the box it said 2 rail. The train store owner asked me if I really wanted the car and I said yes. He promptly swapped the 2 rail trucks for 3 rail trucks and I got my car.

From an electrical standpoint, there is NO problem putting a 2 rail car on 3 rail track.    It does not matter that the axles are insulated.      It does matter putting put a 3 rail car on 2 rail track.

If you have flat top rail like most of the modern track, the car should run OK.     You may have problems with some switches.   

It is very easy to convert a 2 rail car to 3 rail by just removing couplers and replacing trucks with talgo mount couplers.     

I assume that this is an Atlas car or some thing older, since MTH and Lionel do not typically make 2 rail cars.

I made this mistake too - not paying enough attention.  Need to keep a sharp eye on specifications.  

Only one car?

@hclark6345 posted:

WOOPS. I bought a 2 rail car by mistake. ( Read descriptions carefully before you buy something ) I only have 3 rail. Should I just turn around and sell the 2 rail car, or can I run it with my 3 rail consists ?

See, it wants you to switch to 2 rail!

With Respect.

Dick D

If I were in your shoes, I’d put up an ad saying either that you’re searching for appropriate three-rail trucks to buy or that you’d like to swap your two-rail trucks and couplers for three-rail trucks and couplers. I suspect that you could find a trading partner. There are a lot of two-railers who are converting three-rail cars to two-rail and would like to sell or trade their left-overs.

I know people that run 2 rail rolling stock mixed into their consists with no problems, but they maintain that it won't work on old style tubular track (needs flat top rail like Gargraves, Atlas, etc.).

Personally, I have bought difficult-to-find Weaver cars in 2 rail and just swapped out the trucks.

Andy

Perhaps you could post a picture and someone would swap for the same 3 rail car.

I would figure you would have a problem if you use an insulated rail to control something but that's about it

I accidentally bought a scale 2 rail SP gondola last year. So far it has run with no problems with uncoupling or derailing. My layout is Gargraves track and Ross scale switches.

I am just going to turn around and sell the car.  As far as modifying the car or changing trucks,  the old saying " If its not broke,  don't fix it. "   Its a beautiful car, its not broke,  and somebody else can use it as it is.