Lionel’s Super O Track
To model railroad purists the presence of the unrealistic third rail running down the center of O Gauge track is a major drawback to O Gauge model railroading. Even with today’s realistic looking modern offerings from Atlas, Lionel, MTH, Gargraves and Ross Custom Switches, that third rail is hard to hide. Back in the heyday of O Gauge railroading, modelers were basically stuck with using the unrealistic looking three rail tinplate track Lionel was manufacturing at the time. Modelers came up with ways to enhance the look of tinplate track by adding extra home made railroad ties and weathering the rails but the third rail still stuck out like a sore thumb. O Gauge enthusiasts didn’t seem to mind but those looking to create a more realistic model railroad layout opted for 2 rail O Scale, S Gauge or HO scale. Despite its unrealistic appearance, running electricity through a third rail did simplify the control of automatic accessories and eliminated the need for special wiring on layouts with reversing loops.
Click on the link below to read on
When Lionel starting seeing the popularity of O Gauge trains and
profits slip in the late fifties, they made a valient attempt to
recapture the hearts and imaginations of the little boys that seemed more interested in modern themed toys. Lionel’s marketing strategy
during this period was to pack their catalogs with "space-age"
and "nuclear-age" themed items. In 1957, Lionel also set out to improve the
look of the tracks their new modern locomotives and rolling stock rode
upon by developing the Super O track system. The realistic wood grain railroad ties and the almost invisible third rail made Super O
track look fantastic.
Unfortunately, the track system
never gained the popularity Lionel had hoped for so, amidst declining sales in all its O Gauge product lines, Lionel discontinued Super O in 1966. Some O Gauge entusiasts are still big fans of Super O and hopeful
Lionel will bring it back. In my opinion, Super O track
looks as realistic as anything being produced today. Plenty of the original Super O track is for sale on eBay at reasonable prices. Find out more about Super O (including photos) by visiting the links below.
A History of Super O Track (e-Train the on-line magazine of the Train Collectors Association)
Lionel’s 1957 Super O Showroom Layout (Classic Toy Trains)
Lionel Super O Track (Yahoo Groups)
A special thanks to Mike Spanier (who seems to be the guru of Super O) for sending me the Super O links.
Related Posts:
Old Lionel Videos
Related posts:
- Lionel at Target
- TCA Fall ‘06 Open House - Recap Part 3
- More Info About Lionel’s “Legacy” System
- Info About New Lionel Control System on Hi Rail Times
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One Response to “Lionel’s Super O Track”
Rare Lionel 2502W set box in excellent condition for sale on eBay Item# 200270980773.
Sale ends Nov 10th.
Posted by: Louis McQuaide | Nov 6, 2008 at 3:41 PM