[Tom_C]

I've read the preferred method of bending flex track is to solder the joints before bending. So, with electrofrog turnouts how do you make the connection? Solder the one rail only? Is there another trick?

 

[DonR]

A reminder:
The frog rails change polarity as the points move.
Depending on the track plan, this could cause a
short circuit. To avoid that, use insulated joiners
in both frog rails.

Don

 

[Tom_C]

Thanks. And that's the crux of the question.

For back story, I see there are now On30 flex track and turnouts, and I've decided to use Peco, which don't appear to have isulfrog turnouts, that I've found.

 

[mesenteria]

I thought ON30 was the same as HO. O scale items, but narrow gauge wheelsets and using the track gauge that HO uses. …??

So, you'd want Code 100, which would be about Code 75 in O scale, and use whichever turnouts meet your needs. Peco makes Code 83 rails, which would be closer to Code 60 in O, or light rail, not suitable for 100+ ton locomotives. Maybe slow moving, but not along curves at speed.

 

[Tom_C]

On30 is HO track, but they are making track with more realistic ties to better match the O scale of the train. It's the same track size.

I had decided to use Peco and would have gotten code 83, but then I found a guy on ebay liquidating his fathers inventory and got a 12 pack of 36" On30 code 100 flex track for $50, so that's what I'll use. I'm not a stickler for rail size, but I think the ties will look better. The On30 track has limited selection and all the turnouts appear be to electrofrog, which is fine.

 

[Dennis461]

IMHO, regular HO track will look stupid

 

[Tom_C]

Yeah, I'm using ez-track now and it's fine, but then I ran across the On30 track and thought I'd get some. The pic you show is micro engineering I think and it may look better. The Peco has 5-6 ties tied together and the ties more evenly spaced, but it's fine.