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I am considering a move to 2 rail O. Can I get some input from the contributors to this forum on commercially available track: Atlas O vs Old Pullman vs House of Duddy etc. Please don't be cruel to the suppliers that you don't use just let me know what you think are the strengths of your preferred choice. Really appreciate it. Thanks
Old Fat Robert
I don't know a darn thing about O scale but Atlas seems to be making a major commitment to O scale. All the reviews of Atlas two rail O scale track have been good and it seems to be priced under the competition. If I was getting inot O scale, I think I'd get a couple of pieces of track from each of the major manufacturers and compare them in person and side by side. I've often found that what one modeler thinks is good about track I don't like so it helps me to try them out.
Jim: I am thinking pretty much along those same lines. Seems to be excellent advice. One very small thing keeps just bubbling under the surface for Atlas O (which I have zero experience with) so I don't really know how much credence to give it and that is some very scalding reviews I read lately on their new 0-6-0 steam locomotive. The track and engines are probably not even made by the same people but those reviews just keep bothering me. I have used Atlas stuff my whole life and been generally pleased with it. Probably over analyzing - again.
Probably a bit of over analysis. Atlas does have many different manufacturers for locomotives, structures, track, and signals. Even Atlas doesn't hit a home run with every locomotive but I've never read anything bad about their track. It seems to be popular with folks who do O scale garden railways so that must say something about its durability, at least.
Jim: You are absolutely right. The Atlas products I have had over the years has performed at as well as advertised. Even though I presently use code 70 on my HO layout, I always was pleased with the ease of use of their track products.
I've worked on a few layouts that were built with Atlas flex and sectional track. IMHO it is a good way to go. The track from House of Duddy is made by Micro Engineering so both of their flex track is same. The advantage to their track is you can get different code rail IIRC. The Atlas switches are good but you have to make sure the frogs don't short out. Over time with use and temperature changes the rail can slide towards the frog and cause a short. We fixed that with a thin piece of styrene ACC'd in the gap. Over all the Old Pullman turnouts are good, but if you use them check them with a track gage. There was a few I've heard of that needed some adjustment in the wing rail, guard rail area and frog. Nothing major but some engines tend to be picky when it comes to that.
Greg
Greg: Thank you for your insights. If memory serves me right, Atlas is code 148 which certainly would be acceptable for 1930 - 1950 motive power and rolling stock. Is the House /Duddy flex as difficult to work in O as their HO track is? Thanks again.
Old Fat Robert
Robert,
I myself am a convert to O scale 2 rail. I switched over in April from HO scale/Proto:87.
In the beginning I really wanted to go Proto48 but the idea of making my own turnouts or even handlaying track was a little daunting. I had not even got that far in Proto:87 although I had laid a small section of track.
I did compare the expense of the different Proto48 flex tracks and turnout components to standard O 2-rail. I decided to go with Atlas 2-rail flex and turnouts. The reason was time, which I don't have much of with 5 kids at home; and the ease of just dropping the flex track or turnouts onto the layout.
If you look in the right places you can get both Atlas 2-rail flex track and turnouts at a significant savings over MSRP.
Michael
Michael, I have to stop and say hello. I live just down the way in Eagle Lake. There are so many people on here from Alabama, I thought I would welcome a fellow Minnesotan.
Cool, nice to know there is someone else in the neighborhood. We will have to get together sometime.
Michael
BIGO: There are only two sources of the Atlas 2 rail in my area? You mentioned some vendors that might cost less than MSRP. Are you willing to divulge your sources? Thanx.
Old Fat Robert
Greg: Thank you for your insights. If memory serves me right, Atlas is code 148 which certainly would be acceptable for 1930 - 1950 motive power and rolling stock. Is the House /Duddy flex as difficult to work in O as their HO track is? Thanks again.
Old Fat Robert
Hi Robert,
From what I've heard about the House of Duddy track is it flexes ok but if it is weathered first then it is as hard to flex as their HO. A friend of mine is modeling in P48 and lays his track before weathering it and hasn't had any complaints. I will ask him though.
Greg
Thanks Greg. I appreciate your input. The M/E HO track is quite difficult to flex. I think it would be interesting to hear what your friend has to say.
Old Fat Robert
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