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Post by keithb on Nov 23, 2023 22:12:21 GMT
I saw a video today of a O gauge 2 rail layout. I never heard of that. How does it work? I googled but didn't figure it out.
Thanks
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Post by rtraincollector on Nov 23, 2023 23:20:18 GMT
O 2 rail is O scale. There is a differences in size. Not a lot but noticeable
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Post by harborbelt70 on Nov 23, 2023 23:52:59 GMT
That would be a DC rather than AC powered layout. It means you can use DCC control which offers more prototypical sound than 3rail O gauge and better control of things like lighting effects but wiring is certainly more complicated because of polarity. 2rail is not my thing and those who use it are generally aiming for bigger and more realistic layouts. As RT has pointed out the cars and engines are closer to true 1/48 scale but from the outside it is not noticeable unless you are fussy. Inside of passenger cars there is a significant difference but that probably only matters to the likes of me.
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Post by keithb on Nov 23, 2023 23:59:23 GMT
Thanks guys.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Nov 25, 2023 3:56:52 GMT
. . . and don't forget battery powered deadrail. Rather than using the rails to power and control the engine, the engine is self-powered and controlled by Bluetooth or other RC. Menards just came out with what amounts to a cute deadrail set, with two battery powered track inspection vehicles, one with manual switch and one with a handheld controller, both designed to run on traditional three rail track (as provided with the set), or two rail O gauge track. |
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Post by firewood on Nov 25, 2023 4:54:34 GMT
I was an O Gauge 2-railer for quite a long time until the 3-rail bug set in. I had some 1:43 British models and a couple of shelf-switcher end-to-end layouts. I laid my own track and used regular 12 volt Dc just like the HO guys as I only had small, light locomotives. I still have a few items plus some of the Atlas/AHM O scale stuff from the 70s. The Plymouth switchers and EMD F9s were popular pieces with many modelers. The video link shows the Plymouth units - they were hefty little beasts.
Dave
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Post by keithb on Nov 25, 2023 10:04:58 GMT
Thanks for all the education on 2 rail.
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Post by healey36 on Nov 25, 2023 14:00:03 GMT
I'm a member of a 2-rail operating group in south-central Pennsylvania. We get together once a month to operate the 2-rail layouts of various members. The 2-rail scale world is quite different from that of 3-rail O-gauge. Everything in their world is highly accurate in terms of scale, and they typically operate their layouts in a prototypical fashion, i.e. train-orders, schedules, speeds, consist composition, etc. I've had more than one good-natured butt-kicking for operating transgressions, such as failing to include a boxcar between the locomotive and a string of loaded tank cars when making up an outgoing train. It can be stressful, but always fun  |
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Post by firewood on Nov 26, 2023 3:55:39 GMT
Thanks for all the education on 2 rail. No worries - we're glad to help. All the different rail/control systems are starting to merge into remote control units with steady AC voltage to the track, but once things were different. The old school stuff I'm much more familiar with was usually AC power for 3-rail and 2-rail was DC. 2-rail DC is positive to one rail and negative on the other, reversible by a simple switch at the transformer. 3-rail AC is/was hot to the center rail and return through the outside rails which are bonded together. One advantage in toy train 3-rail is letting the kids lay track wherever across the carpet and not having reverse-track short-circuits that 2-rail would have - the two conductors are always separated. The old tinplate toys were simply built with an insulated center pickup and grounded through the metal body and wheels - 2-rail requires insulated wheels or axles. The older 3-rail universal motors have wire-wound fields and armatures - they need a reversing switch on the locomotive that flips power to both the armature and field windings. DC motors with permanent magnets only needed a reversing switch at the throttle. We could open several more cans of worms like 2-rail AC, 3-rail DC....  Dave
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Post by ron045 on Dec 27, 2023 13:41:36 GMT
I'm a member of a 2-rail operating group in south-central Pennsylvania. We get together once a month to operate the 2-rail layouts of various members. The 2-rail scale world is quite different from that of 3-rail O-gauge. Everything in their world is highly accurate in terms of scale, and they typically operate their layouts in a prototypical fashion, i.e. train-orders, schedules, speeds, consist composition, etc. I've had more than one good-natured butt-kicking for operating transgressions, such as failing to include a boxcar between the locomotive and a string of loaded tank cars when making up an outgoing train. It can be stressful, but always fun Where is this? I'm in Carlisle. Is this group open to new members? Ron
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Post by healey36 on Dec 27, 2023 13:49:00 GMT
Gettysburg-Hanover-Westminster-Frederick-Mt. Airy-Other...it rotates around. I don't know if they'd have interest in new "members" (it's a rather informal group), as operating sessions occasionally get pretty crowded. I can ask next time I see them.
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Post by rtraincollector on Dec 27, 2023 14:39:50 GMT
I had some Lima 2 rail O scale passenger cars. I really liked them, they where the first passenger cars I ever saw with interiors. I bought my first set of them around 1977.
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