While the track on my own layout is hand laid with Code 100 rail, not everyone has time (or skill) for that.

Besides the various vintage track options, one option a number of people make use of is On3 flex track, as described here. On3 is the same gauge as OO (19mm or ¾”, the NMRA standards are the same), and OO gauge models run fine on it, but the ties are visually over scale.

Jeff Barker has produced several parts that are available on Shapeways (he is for example the maker of the 3D printed Scale-Craft bolsters described here), and got an idea to produce a 3D printed track product. If he used Shapeways the cost was going to be prohibitively high, so he instead worked with a local 3D printer, and came up with this tie strip and track. Which looks great!

The rail is code 100, and the spike heads on the inside of the gauge are profiled to provide clearance for large flanges. The tie strip is printed in 9” sections and combined to produce 18” sections of flexible track. The minimum order he has to make with the 3D printing firm is 22 sections.

There is no direct way to order this. You would need to contact Jeff, one possible way being Facebook Messenger (he is active in the American OO Scale Railroading group), or contact me and I can point you to Jeff.

Why 3D printing? Jeff did look into the cost of traditional injection molding, and the cost would be vastly higher, well into a five figure investment. The market being so small, this is not an option — but 3D printing is.

3D printing has been a godsend. A variety of models I have made with 3D printed parts may be found here. I have not had time to work out any parts of my own, but I must admit I have ideas for some useful products too. Perhaps this will be a summer project I look into further.