Need new LOC

[Anonymous]

Anybody able to give me some info on New LOC for a low budget?

Are the beep any good? do they run on lionel tracks.

Is there better tracks out there? or should I just use fastracks?

I plan on buying metallic cars lionel style. I want stuff that would be durable.

Thanks for the help.

I am a Web Architect that's getting into this hobby for the first Time

[Dave Farquhar]

Virtually anything that says "O gauge" or "O scale" runs on 3-rail Lionel track. The stuff for less-common 2-rail will say so, and will also be priced much higher since it's a scale model.

As for track, since you're just starting out and you're on a budget, I'd find a starter set that gives you what you want and stick with that track.

I got going in this about a year ago. My dad had all tubular O27 track in the '50s, and since that was what I started out with I stayed with it, just buying more O27 track as I needed it. Track is a matter of religious debate to some, but really what it comes down to is what you can can afford and whether you can run what you want to run on it (some of my prewar stuff doesn't like modern types of track). If buying cheap tubular track allows you to buy more rolling stock or scenery, I think it's a perfectly valid decision.

I'm told the Beep is a good engine, able to pull a modest number of cars (and you can run two engines to pull longer trains), dependable, and it's available in a good variety of roadnames. It got very good reviews when it was released. With a $200 budget though, you're probably better off getting a starter set with a mind towards expanding later. A $50 Beep and a handful of $20 cars doesn't leave a lot of money in a $200 budget for track or a transformer if you're buying piecemeal.

[spankybird]

Hi Pirata,

Welcome to the CTT Forum




There are a lot of different opinions here on Fastrack. A lot depends on what type of layout and size layout you are planning on building. And of course cost.

Are you planning a floor layout ?

A layout mounted on a table?

You can do a search on fastrack and read past posting.

tom

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the welcome [8D] party.

I will be running it on the floor.

We bought a Life-like trainset at toysrus, but we took it back cause it derrailed too much.

I want track that won't derrail too much.
What's needed for a trainset, loco, cars, track and transformer right?

I need a good place to buy these. Even somewhere where I could buy a good starter set.

What is the difference between tubular track and regular track? I just wanna be able to go fast, and not derrail.

[Anonymous]

also, is O-27 the way to go?

HO is not as good or is it?

I just don't want to spend my $200 on something My kid and I won't like.

[Anonymous]

Also?

What track is better the one that has plastic on the bottom, or the one that doesnt'?

[Anonymous]

Half-O (HO) is good for scale modeling, I was in it for a couple decades, but not rugged like O gauge. O and 027 is better for playing with and surviving the kids! There is also more features like sound, smoke, and operating accessories. I use the old fashioned 027 track, but if I was starting out, I would go for Lionel Fastrack. If you want to go fast, 027 curves are too sharp. Fastrack is better, or you can 042 curved track that is 027 compatable. I haul you-know-what on 042!

[Anonymous]

I have a space problem.
Don't have a lot of space.

Thanks for the O/HO specs.

is this pennsy flyer set Metal? I mean the outside of the train, is it metal or plastic? Are all LIONEL metal? I just want it to be very durable. I have a 11yr old boy and a 5 month baby girl.

Accidents can happen

[Anonymous]

where can I buy cheap fasttrack?

Or is there other reliable tracks (cheap) that I can buy?

I just don't want the train to derrail.

Was wondering if the pennsy flyer set from lionel was die-cast metal too. Anybody have 1?

[lionelsoni]

Almost all Lionel cars and locomotives other than steam made since WWII have plastic shells. Before the war, they were mostly tin-plated sheet steel. The more-expensive steam locomotives and a few unusual cars are and were cast zinc. A Czech company, ETS, makes very good quality tinplate pieces nowadays; but they are not unusually durable nor cheap. http://www.ets.cz

[Anonymous]

can you run 2 loco in the same track? how do they deal with power?

[Anonymous]

Santafekent,

how big is the Curve on the lionel fastrack?

I understand O-27 is 27" which is pretty small, Nice.

What's the O equivalent on fastrack?

[ben10ben]

Fastrack forms a circle 36" in diameter(40" if you count the additional roadbed).

Unless you buy a steam starter set, you'll get all plastic, as Bob said. The plastic, though, is generally very thick and heavy duty, and won't break unless you do something really unusual to it, like run over it with your car or jump up and down on it repeatedly. More recents sets(made within the last 2 or 3 years)will have cars with metal trucks. The plastic trucks were probably the weak point of most older cars, although they were still pretty durable.

As far as track types, the type with the metal ties is generally less expensive. Plastic roadbed track is more expensive, however it generally won't bend or otherwise be damaged if you step on it, and keep carpet fibers out of the gears, and oil and grease off the carpet. It's also pretty noisy.

[Anonymous]

The Lionel steam engines are cast metal. I have that little steamer in a different RR name, and it is fairly heavy and can pull well (unlike some Lionel diesel models). Most everything else is plastic, but Lionel is pretty rugged. The cheapest track is Lionel 027. My 4 by 8 layout uses 027 on the inside loop and 042 on the outside. The 42 inch diameter is nice for fast running, but the 36 inches of Fastrack is also pretty good. The all-metal 027 style track is a little harder to work with, Fastrack is much easier on the hands!

[eZAK]

If you are going directly on carpet use a track system that has a built in road bed.
If you are going on a wood floor use track with plastic or wood ties.
If you will be mounting on a board (best method) you can use new used O-27. (metal ties)

For links to retailers see your other post '...$200 budget'