Choosing the right O-gauge, 3-rail track can put you on the right track when building a layout in scale, semi scale, or even a mixture of both. It all starts with three deciding factors:
- Layout size
- Types of trains you plan to run
- Your budget
From these determinations come three options for the types of tracks available.
Tubular track
Simple yet standing the test of time, tubular track goes hand in hand with the traditional toy-train spectacle. The stamped-metal products come in straight, curved, and turnout (switches) sections, all connected with pins at each end of the rails. It’s simple yet ideal for those operating either vintage or contemporary toy-like trains.
Keep in mind there are two types available: O and O-27 track. The former has tall rails and ties with a minimum curve radius of 31”, while the latter is shorter with sharper curves at 27” – hence the name and production for accommodating smaller spaces.
Lionel Trains sold tubular track for decades as one of their staple product lines, and though they don’t sell it today, an abundance of it is still available at hobby shops or on the secondhand market. Menards currently sells tubular track and is still expanding their line of track products.
Roadbed track
This is a common track product in the smaller scales that isn’t much different for the O-gauge, 3-rail market. As the name implies, roadbed track comes with an applied base – usually made of plastic with a stone-ballast texture molded in. It’s the go-to for most train sets due to the roadbed’s design of being snapped together with ease.
For those looking to build a more realistic layout in semi scale, and even full scale, with that ease of a firm connection between sections, individual or packs of roadbed track are available from the following manufacturers and brands:
In addition to the wide range of straight, curve and turnout sections, most manufacturers offer roadbed track with unique add-ons and accessories such as crossings with lowing gates and lights, and sensors to activate features from a passing locomotive. Adapters are also available to connect with tubular track. Bear in mind though that not all roadbed track from different manufacturers can work together, as some connectors are different from others.
Realistic track
A scaled model railroad with O-gauge, 3-rail track sounds blasphemous to some folks. But you won’t believe the amazing craftsmanship modelers accomplished despite that obvious third rail. This, of course, starts with realistic track with low-profile rail and prototypical tie spacing, like the other scales. Most manufacturers will have the third rail in a different color to blend into the ties and ballast to create the illusion of a traditional, 2-rail railroad.
The following manufacturers offer both sectional and flexible realistic tracks in a vast range which can also connected to one another:
