This review appeared in O Gauge Railroading Magazine, August, 1998. Reproduced with permission of The Myron J. Biggar Group.

Atlas O 21st Century Track

By Barry Lewis

In a former life I was an HO scale modeler and dabbled for a while in Sn3 (3’ narrow gauge S scale). As a committed 3-rail AC operator I still occasionally look with longing at the beautiful track work of some of our 2-rail brethren. It looks so graceful, so flowing, so...real! So I couldn’t help but be excited when Atlas, one of the premier makers of sectional track, entered the 3-rail O gauge market.

Appearance

Atlas 21st Century Track is, quite simply, the most realistic 3-rail track ever. What makes it realistic? The shape of the rails and the size and spacing of the ties. Atlas rail has a solid cross-section of the same shape as real track and the same shape as hollow rail used by GarGraves, Ross, and Curtis. This also gives a locomotive’s tires more gripping surface than the round top of Lionel-type track.

Tie size and spacing, however, are where Atlas stands alone. Prototype mainline track is generally laid with ties on 22" or 23" centers, and Atlas has used 22" centers for its ties. Compared to GarGraves-type track, the Atlas product has nearly half again as many ties for a given length of track. The Atlas ties also have a smaller, more prototypical cross section, and each tie has molded-in tie plates (the metal plates on which the rail rests) and spikes.

Wood grain is molded into the tops but not the ends of the Atlas ties. Being plastic, Atlas ties should not fade in color with age, as model wood ties often do. The Atlas rail has a goldish tint, which Atlas tells us is characteristic of all nickel silver rail.

The center rail is chemically blackened to make it less apparent. However, Atlas tells us the blackening does wear off with use. Abrasive track cleaners (like Bright Boy) will remove the blackening almost immediately.

A rugged feel is also characteristic of Atlas O track. Picking up a piece, you’re immediately struck by how heavy and solid it feels. Since 3-railers seems to design layouts that have to be walked on occasionally to retrieve a derailed train, we jumped on the Atlas track several times (in our sneakers) to see how it hold up. No problem- this track can take it.

Assembly

Atlas O track uses the same type of slide-on rail joiners used on sectional HO track; the only difference is that the O gauge joiners are detailed with bolt heads to look like the fishplates that connect prototype rail. The rail joiners carry current from one section to another and help keep the rails aligned. In addition, a snap-lock connector built into the plastic tie base holds track sections together, forming a tight and positive joint. We connected two sample pieces together 30 times and found no tendency for the joint to loosed with use.

The metal rail joiners on our samples, however, did have a tendency to loosen very easily, sometimes failing to carry current to the next section. Checking with Atlas O, we found that our track was very early production and that the rail joiners have since been redesigned for a tighter, more reliable fit.

Fit between track sections is also very good, with virtually no gap between the rails.

Current is supplied to the rails through terminal rail joiners – simply a pair of rail joiners with wires soldered to them. Curiously, a set of these includes only two joiners, so power is supplied to only one outer rail (the two outer rails are internally not connected to each other). If you’ve got a soldering gun, these terminal joiners would be a cinch to make yourself. Atlas also makes a nifty plastic rail joiner with a tiny vertical insulating tab for situations when you need to electrically isolate one rail from another.

It’s important to mention that this is a product designed for permanent layout builders and is perhaps not the best track for under-the-tree use, temporary layouts on the living room carpet or frequent setup and disassembly by children. The Atlas track has superb looks and a fine system for locking the sections together, but it will work best when screwed down to the layout surface.

Geometry

Putting Atlas O track together for the first time, I was struck by how smooth the transition is from an O54 curve to a straight section; the rails just seem to flow from one section to another. This is something one does not get with O31 curves, where trains seems to snap into and out of the curves (what my wife refers to as s.o.b. turns: slide over, baby!).

It is telling that the first Atlas O curves are in O54, and the next size to arrive will be O72. This is clearly a product aimed at operators longing for realism and smooth operation. Jim Weaver of Atlas O stresses that "we are fully committed to introducing a full line of track – a true system enabling 3-railers to construct virtually any layout without having to cut and fit track sections. Most of the design work is already completed, and we will be introducing new pieces on a steady basis."

Soon to come are straight fitter pieces in 1.75", 4.5" and 5.5" lengths; a 40"straight is also in the works, as well as a layout design book. Because O31 and O42 curves don’t match the Atlas geometry, an O36 curve (same radius as Lionel Super-O) with matching switches will be introduced, hopefully by the end of the year.

As we were going to press the first O54 switches had not yet arrived, but we will report on them in a future issue.

Compatibility

For operators with an investment in another track system, Atlas is trying to make it easy to use 21st Century Track to expand an existing layout. Adding to GarGraves, Ross or Curtis track is very easy, since the rail cross section and tie thickness are virtually identical to that of Atlas track. Simply butt the rail ends together and use Atlas rail joiners to connect the two brands. With GarGraves flex track, the vertical web under the rail, which is inserted into the ties, will have to be cut away for a short distance to allow the rail joiner to slide on.

Transition rail joiners for connecting to Lionel and K-Line track will also be available in the near future.

A Lionel-type remote uncoupling track will be offered in the 1.75" length. And, for lovers of remote milk cars, cattle cars, etc. (like me), Atlas will offer a kit to convert any 10" straight into a remote-control track section. Flip over a piece of straight track and you’ll notice that holes have already been provided for this.

When a company with Atlas’ experience in model railroading enters the 3-rail market, it’s a sign that our branch of the hobby is strong and growing. The highly realistic 21st Century Track System is a perfect complement to the scale-detailed engines and rolling stock that havce become the norm, rather than the exception. Short of switching to 2-rail DC (OK, I admit to occasional longings), this is as good as track is going to get for those of us who run 3-rail trains – at least until somebody invents a virtual third rail.