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Model Railroads/Sloped or 'Banked' 3-rail Track

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Expert: Jerry Loman - 11/15/2008


Question
QUESTION: I am new to the hobby.. but I have some older 0 gauge track that I am trying to identify (it's not marked). It is a little unusual as the outside rail sits higher than the inside rail... each 'tie' is graduated in height with the inside rail closest to the 'ground', then the middle rail is slightly higher.. and the outside rail is higher yet ( I assume to hold the train to the track at higher speeds?). This 'banking' holds true for both the straight sections and curved sections of track. The 'ties' are also tapered from narrow (on the inside edge/rail) to their widest (at the outside edge/rail). Do you know who manufactured this type of track and when? Thank you for your time, Tim

ANSWER: Tim,
Most manufacturers used the slope methodology for their track. Begining with Ives and American flyer. Hafner and Bing also used sloping track. I would need to see a pic to make a confirmation on who made the track for sure. The sloped track had been used from the early teens till recently.
regards,
Jerry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Sloped Track
Sloped Track  
QUESTION: Thanks Jerry! Here is a pic ... Tim

Answer
Tim,
Thanks for responding with the nice picture. Your track is an American flyer track section. These were used from the 20's through the 40's. It looks like it is in relatively good shape. Track left out in the open darkens with age. You must have found this track wrapped or boxed in a nice dry place.
Regards,
Jerry

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Jerry Loman

Expertise

Any questions on American manufacturers of wind up cast iron floor trains, track trains and their litho tin cars and accessories. This would include manufacturers of the following; American Flyer,Hafner,Ives,Lionel,Marx,Dorfan and AMRR. I can identify variants in casting methodology and have experience in determining almost all manufacturing dates within catalogued identifiers. I have extensive experience in the litho tin variants of passenger and freight cars that go with the wind up sets and also many of the early electric train sets. I do not have extensive or specific experience on variations of European wind up toy trains but can help with most general questions on european cast iron wind up trains.

Experience

35 years of collecting specifically cast iron wind up trains. I have repaired and restored during this same period having made many of my own tooling to support manfacturing restoration parts and accessories. I have identified 5 toy train engines and cars that had not previousely been published in any referance or collector book.

Organizations
TCA

Publications
TCA ETrain magazine. This is an online publication of general toy train interest.

Education/Credentials
I have a high school education with some college credits.

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