I just bought the set "Lionel Diesel Burlington 181 HO Gauge Electric Train Set 1976" off ebay and I was wondering which trains and tracks to look for to expand the set. Can I get O Gauge trains? or do they have to be HO gauge? Also, is the track on this one 027? or something else? Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't had a train since I was little. I bought one that looked very similar to the one I grew up with and is the same company. So I will only be buying Lionel, just need to know which will work with this one. Thanks so much for the help. <3
Welcome to CTT!
The train you bought is HO; O gauge is larger and they will not mix.
Be forewarned, toy train can be addicting
Jim
SheilaUllom I just bought the set "Lionel Diesel Burlington 181 HO Gauge Electric Train Set 1976" off ebay and I was wondering which trains and tracks to look for to expand the set. Can I get O Gauge trains? or do they have to be HO gauge? Also, is the track on this one 027? or something else? Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't had a train since I was little. I bought one that looked very similar to the one I grew up with and is the same company. So I will only be buying Lionel, just need to know which will work with this one. Thanks so much for the help. <3
Welcome to the forum.
When you get it in if it looks small that is because it is HO ( HO= 1/2 of O ) that was how it got it's name from what I have been told. Now if it has everything looks like a nice set.
Stay in touch and let us know how you made out. If you decide you really rather go O we will be glad to help guide you.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
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HO is not the same as O. Two different animals.
Just about anything else HO will work with it though.
By the way, HO means Half the size of O. So this train is a lot smaller.
aboard!
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Welcome to the Forum Sheila! By the way, we O gaugers say HO stands for "How Ordinary!"
Just kidding! Enjoy your set! And make the jump to the thundering majesty of O gauge 'soon as you can!
By the way, check out the "Model Railroading" Forum for HO advice, but personally I think we're a much classier crowd over here!
Sheila, The box clearly states HO, which operates on DC only. The power pack that was included has both an AC & a DC output. To run the train only, you need to use the terminals marked DC. The other of terminals that are marked accessories, would be for light posts, and other add on operating devices. Do not mix them up!!! The "0" gauge operates strictly on AC, for the era of set you have. The 027 & 0 track are the same width from outside rail to outside rail. HO is half the width of 0 gauge, thus HO designation.
just something quick about 027 versus 0 track is the height of the rails. 027 is 7/16" high, whereas the 0 track is 11/16" high. There is more to it, but I don'tthink it's necessary To get to far from what you have.
Thanks everyone. Luckily the seller let me cancel the win for the HO set and I was able to order an O gauge set. :) I appreciate the help :)
It was nice that he let you cancel.
Welcome aboard.
If you have questions before buying stop in here first. You will get plenty of advice...Then you have to sort it out....lol
S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Most HO trains run only on DC. Most O and S toy trains run on AC.
Some O and S toy trains (including some Lionel trains at about the time of the Burlington 181 set) run only on DC. Some HO trains (Maerklin, for example) run on AC. AC toy trains can usually run on DC too, if whistles, horns, and bells are absent or disabled.
Bob Nelson
Welcome SHEILA !
Every one Here will help you when you ask questions .
Have fun with your trains !
Bill
CHARTER MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE FALLEN FLAG MODEL TRAIN CLUB . I COLLECT HO, N , O-3rail & On30 Trains & run them ! I Use KATO HO & N scale Track . I also Use Lionel Fast Track ! I change track layouts Often !
Just one man's opinion, but I think you'll enjoy the O gauge set much more than the HO set. HO does have it's attractions, but I've always felt the O gauge trains (and S gauge as well) were just a lot more impressive. Bigger and more eye-catching, to say nothing of the fact they'll hold the rails a lot better than any HO train I've ever run into.
Besides, O gauge trains are the best cure for when you're down in the dumps or have had a bad day. Run an O gauge layout and you can't help but think of Christmas!
One more comment about O vs HO. O is easier for wiring things like a reverse loop. ( O there is no special wiring)
Welcome to the Forum
Sheila, I have a carpet layout using LIONEL Fastrack. I really like this type of track and you can buy circle sections from 0-36" up to 0-72" diameter. Go to the LIONEL website and under each size of circle they will tell you how many pieces you will need to make a complete circle plus they list the prices. They will also list the straight pieces plus the prices.
If you can find a good local hobby shop that sells O-Gauge trains they should be willing to help you. Enjoy this wonderful hobby. Remember, take it slow and easy.
G BEAR
God Bless
SheilaUllom Thanks everyone. Luckily the seller let me cancel the win for the HO set and I was able to order an O gauge set. :) I appreciate the help :)
Your welcome. by the way what set did you get. And do not hesitate to come and ask questions you'll probably get more answers than you expected but you will get your answer normally.
Hello Sheila,
How's it going with your Train Set? Have fun.
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