Eric, I'm new to your blog, but wanted to let you know that I very much appreciate it. I put up a simple layout and finally made myself put the trains away to make some progress on the layout rather than playing with the trains (my youngest daughter won't like that). I finally got around to putting roadbed down, painting the track and did a small ballasting test. I couldn't be happier and wanted you to know that your tutorial was invaluable in getting there. Thanks!
thanks that's what i was thinking of using and I think I'm gonna use your method of ballasting it looks really prototypical and nicely done, heck I might even post some videos of it and my new PRR T-1 Duplex I'm getting for Christmas! Can't wait!!!!!!!!
In a nutshell, they did 3 rails for electrical reasons. First, the 3-rail design makes building a layout easier, and since o-gauge trains were originally meant for kids they wanted setup to be as easy as possible. Secondly, the 3-rail design made it easier to have fun operating accessories and so forth. Basically, they did 3 rails because it was more practical. If you don't like 3-rail O-scale, they also make 2-rail O-scale.
Great info..Thx. I have to lock this in my to keep files. I see that you used 1/4 for roadbed, what are the other thickness that you use? Plywood and other things.
Well, realtrax already has the ballast done for you. But you could probably do some weathering to the realtrax to make it look a little more realistic. I think there's an article on that in one of the more recent issues of OGR magazine...
Hey Eric. I'm going to try your car weatherIng techniques soon but I was wondering today - how do YOU go about weathering your rails? I would really love to see that. Still looking forward to the new reviews. Hope all is well.
@Por2gesDiesel I weather my rails with the techniques used in the book "Realistic Modeling For Toy Trains" by Dennis Brennan. You can buy it from Kalmbach Books.
@rs700301 I chose Atlas because I like the fact that it's solid rail track and I also like the size of the ties. There's no wrong choice, however. Gargraves makes great track so you can't really go wrong. It's all just a matter of personal taste.
@magicrick63 The cheapest earth colored latex paint I could find. It doesn't have to be high quality paint, just some inexpensive latex paint. I got mine at Home Depot. the brand was Glidden, I forget what the exact color was but you just want to use some brownish color.
I want to use all my old supersnap track on building a layout.. Do you have a recommendation of want additional track matches up well with the supersnap?
Eric. I see that other people have asked this but on their website, you can buy 1/4" flexbed or 3/8" flexbed. Which one did you use? I would like to know because I will be building a layout soon.
Can I use Atlas O gauge track (like you have) directly on carpet? I mean 027 was meant to used on carpet. Does the Atlas come apart too easily if you are running trains. I am bored to death with the traditional tubular track. And no I dont like fastrack
Hi Eric: Great job, do you do this for each piece of track on your workbench then move it to your layout? Also do you have a video of how to mark your layout for track laying, determining the radi etc.?
thanks for posting. excellent video. very instructional. well, hobbies depend upon your pocket book. this is one way to go. there are other ways, some lower, some higher, in costs. for the record... standard track ballast in NA is about 18 inches thickness, which in o-scale requires 3/8 inch road bed thickness. the angle of the bed side is about 45 degrees. the bed used here would not be proper o-scale.
Anyone watching this 10 years later
Me
Me
Seeing Eric without a beard was strange!
yes
Yep
Eric,
I'm new to your blog, but wanted to let you know that I very much appreciate it. I put up a simple layout and finally made myself put the trains away to make some progress on the layout rather than playing with the trains (my youngest daughter won't like that).
I finally got around to putting roadbed down, painting the track and did a small ballasting test. I couldn't be happier and wanted you to know that your tutorial was invaluable in getting there. Thanks!
Eric good evening I like having this very excellent part one part two I like them 👍
Great video! Very useful for all scales.
Very good video, learned alot. Just getting into trains.
Man, it’s gonna take this guy 10 years to build this layout at this rate!!
Superb basic demonstration.
OMG THIS IS A VERY YOUNG ERIC, BEFORE HIS 2020 FOOT INJURY THAT CANCELED THE LAST DAY OF THE CHRISTMAS BONANZA
thanks that's what i was thinking of using and I think I'm gonna use your method of ballasting it looks really prototypical and nicely done, heck I might even post some videos of it and my new PRR T-1 Duplex I'm getting for Christmas! Can't wait!!!!!!!!
Yes. Realtrax is basically just an echo chamber so you have to have something to absorb the sound and vibrations.
It's a tutorial video, which means I'm trying to explain everything as much as possible...not see how fast I can get through it.
Excellent job!
For the roadbed? It's 1/4 inch thickness. You could use it with Gargraves too.
The one in the video is the 1/4 inch high-rail O-gauge flexxxbed.
Thanks. Gonna use some of this deaden the sound
In a nutshell, they did 3 rails for electrical reasons. First, the 3-rail design makes building a layout easier, and since o-gauge trains were originally meant for kids they wanted setup to be as easy as possible. Secondly, the 3-rail design made it easier to have fun operating accessories and so forth. Basically, they did 3 rails because it was more practical. If you don't like 3-rail O-scale, they also make 2-rail O-scale.
Great info..Thx. I have to lock this in my to keep files. I see that you used 1/4 for roadbed, what are the other thickness that you use? Plywood and other things.
Well, realtrax already has the ballast done for you. But you could probably do some weathering to the realtrax to make it look a little more realistic. I think there's an article on that in one of the more recent issues of OGR magazine...
Where can I get these rail length in India; I wish to make tracks with these rail lengths for my model railroad road.
Hey Eric. I'm going to try your car weatherIng techniques soon but I was wondering today - how do YOU go about weathering your rails? I would really love to see that. Still looking forward to the new reviews. Hope all is well.
@Por2gesDiesel I weather my rails with the techniques used in the book "Realistic Modeling For Toy Trains" by Dennis Brennan. You can buy it from Kalmbach Books.
The plywood is 3/4 inch for the main level and 3/8 inch for the upper level. Homasote is 1/2 inch i think.
@rs700301 I chose Atlas because I like the fact that it's solid rail track and I also like the size of the ties. There's no wrong choice, however. Gargraves makes great track so you can't really go wrong. It's all just a matter of personal taste.
Commenting on every ericstrains video 43
Wow, lots of different choices for Flexbed on their site. Which one is shown in the video? I think I'll be using it.
@austrobb I use 1/4 inch roadbed.
To get Atlas O Nickle-Silver track at a low price, it will take a lot of web searching for that low price.
MTH ScaleTrax is similar looking.
@magicrick63 The cheapest earth colored latex paint I could find. It doesn't have to be high quality paint, just some inexpensive latex paint. I got mine at Home Depot. the brand was Glidden, I forget what the exact color was but you just want to use some brownish color.
how much does Atlas O cost? it looks awsome.
I use the 1/4 inch O-gauge flexxbed.
I want to use all my old supersnap track on building a layout.. Do you have a recommendation of want additional track matches up well with the supersnap?
Question, how hard is to convert a 2 rail o scale to 3 rail?
Watch Model train fun's video on converting 2 rail to 3 rail.
It's on the expensive side as far as track goes. They like to raise the price every now and then. But, it's good track.
how tall is the roadbed 3/8 or 1/4
Eric. I see that other people have asked this but on their website, you can buy 1/4" flexbed or 3/8" flexbed. Which one did you use? I would like to know because I will be building a layout soon.
I got a question which flexbed do you buy?
Hey Eric which you think would be better 1/4" or 3/8" flexx roadbed ?
Can I use Atlas O gauge track (like you have) directly on carpet? I mean 027 was meant to used on carpet. Does the Atlas come apart too easily if you are running trains. I am bored to death with the traditional tubular track. And no I dont like fastrack
Great videos! What was the name brand for this 3 track seen in the video? thanks guys.
It's from Atlas
Hi Eric:
Great job, do you do this for each piece of track on your workbench then move it to your layout? Also do you have a video of how to mark your layout for track laying, determining the radi etc.?
I love the track you use but its so expensive i don't think its in my price range at all, i believe im stock with the classic 3-rail look
I'm laying 3 tracks on my layout how far apart do I need between them.
why do o scale tracks have 3 rails i never knew why and if i get o scale i really dont want 3 rails it make it no look real
thanks for posting. excellent video. very instructional. well, hobbies depend upon your pocket book. this is one way to go. there are other ways, some lower, some higher, in costs. for the record... standard track ballast in NA is about 18 inches thickness, which in o-scale requires 3/8 inch road bed thickness. the angle of the bed side is about 45 degrees. the bed used here would not be proper o-scale.
i used a cheep cat litter as balest and u can get it in big and small chunks. it looks good and it is cheeper.
OMG YOU LOOK SO DIFFRENT
No, realtrax is track on hollow plastic roadbed. There's no sound deadening qualities built into realtrax.
I think I commented on your videoS
ballasting three rail track is putting lipstick on a pig