Track help

[mama geek]

As I said in my introduction we have several trains that we are just really getting into playing with. All of our track is old and a lot of it is pretty rusted. We want to start from scratch with both O and HO track.

Just a recap of what we have ... Lionel trains from the mid 50's through the late 70's, some Marx trains from about 1960 and we have an HO set from the same time frame. My brother has my dad's trains which are Lionel for the O scale and a Tyco HO train. We bought my niece an HO set new a few years ago that was an Alaska set. My mom also has a mid to late 50's Marx set that we will be getting shortly. We figure that our house will be used for playing with the trains at this time because we have the space and desire.

We probably won't do extensive modeling, but will have houses, lights, people, and cars. We are sticking with simple layouts at least for now as well. So what can you guys recommend for track for both the HO and the O trains.

[Burlington Bob]

Here's a some links to Atlas' website.

http://www.atlaso.com/menu3.htm

http://www.atlasrr.com/Trackmisc/hocode100.htm

http://www.atlasrr.com/Trackmisc/hocode83.htm

[mama geek]

Is this your way of saying that Atlas produces the best track for all types and models of trains?

[NH Mike]

When you look for new track for the Lionel trains keep in mind it will need to have the 3rd rail in the center. For the HO trains I would suggest code 100 no matter what brand you choose so the older Tyco equipment will run on it. If any of the track you now have is still useable then it is probably code 100. Any HO trains old or new will run on code 100.

[Selector]

Mama, if you look closely at the metal wheels on your various scale items from that era, you will notice the knife-like or disk-like 'flanges', as they are known, which help to keep the train on the rails. Nowadays, they are more approximate to scale, and most of us prefer the looks.

Yours are going to need high rails. Modern HO hobbyists favour Code 83 track, meaning the rails are 83/1000ths of an inch high. Your items with the large 'pizza cutter' flanges will need Code 100 rail, or 1/10 of an inch high.

Atlas, Peco, Micro Engineering, Model Power, Central Valley, Proto 87, all make rails that are used, with the last two generally for the more fussy and prototypical guys who are sticklers for accuracy and scale. You won't be able to use that. But, the first four are possible if you get Code 100 from them (and I don't honestly know if Micro Engineering produces Code 100 at all).

I hope that helps.

[mama geek]

Thanks for the help on the code 100 and reminding me that I do need 3 rails for Lionel. I have read some about the different brands and Atlas looks reasonable. From what I have read, Model Power might not be as good as the others and the PECO might be a little better than the Atlas, but should probably be acceptable. Since we have a bunch of rusted steel track although much of it was stored in a damp basement for way too long, I think we will go with the Silver Nickel.

[mama geek]

I have heard the wheels on Lionel trains are magnetized to improve traction, should we buy steel track because of this or can we go to silver nickel?

[NH Mike]

It might depend on if you lay the track all flat or include some up and down grades. With a flat layout it won't matter unless you decide to pull very long trains. My HO nickel silver track is not magnetic.

If any of your original Lionel track is salvageable you might consider using new Lionel to add on rather than mix brands. A little time spent with some 600 grit emery cloth could save money. Tops of the rails and the pins are easy. The other end of the track with no pins is a little more work but can be done. Also check the fiber insulation carefully that insulates the rails from the metal ties. If it has deteriorated it can create a short circuit.