How To Restoration & Repair Make a Standard gauge straight section on a budget

Make a Standard gauge straight section on a budget

By Lyle Eiman | March 2, 2026

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You can build two 36″ straight Standard gauge sections for the same cost (or less) than one new piece of track. It’s easy and only takes about 45 minutes to build a basic straight. See the list of materials you’ll need below.

three pieces of track and some tools on brown kraft paper
The tools you’ll need for this project (minus primer and paint). Lyle Eimen photo

First, use a screwdriver to pry up the flanges securing the ties to the rails on all of the track pieces and slide them off. Set the O gauge ties aside. Slide eight of the Standard gauge ties onto the O gauge rail, making sure that the insulators are installed properly under the inside rail. 

pieces of rail and tie sections
You may choose to remove the rust, prime, and repaint the ties before installation. Lyle Eimen photo

Space the ties evenly and tighten the flanges down to the rail. I slid the steel bar under the ties and tapped the pliers handle with the hammer for a tight fit. If you want a cleaner look, strip the paint from the ties after removing them from the curved sections. Prime and paint them gloss black and let dry completely. Slide onto the straight section and secure.

piece of track on a board
The new section is complete. Lyle Eimen photo

Supply list

2 Standard gauge curves

1 36” straight section of O gauge tubular track

Small flat blade screwdriver

Pliers

½” x ½” x 2” steel rod

Hammer

Rust dissolver (optional)

Primer/black gloss spray paint (optional)

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