Please help me get on the right track!!! I know nothing about trains...

[Anonymous]

hi all,

I am writing because I purchased some vintage Lionel trains for my dad fro christmas. From what I hear he was very into Lionel trains as a child, and he and his brother and uncle had a large collection with blueprints they had draughted, etc. Eventually my psycho grandfather just threw everything out in the trash one day without letting any of them know. So years of childhood memories (and thousands of dollars) were flushed down the toilet. :(
On a brighter note, this year for christmas I decided to buy some trains off of ebay for my dad. They look really beautiful and I hope there is a way to make them work, but admitedly, I know NOTHING about trains, and I have gone into this blindly. I'm hoping some of the experts on this forum can direct me as to what other parts/items I'll need to purchase (like track, switches, etc) so that when I give him his gift on christmas, we can actually set up a working traln. If you this you can help, please click on this link to see what I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6020075841

I would VERY MUCH appreciate any help you can give. The sooner I get this info the sooner I can run around to get these additional parts. I really want to make this happen for christmas. I would be so nice to give my dad back a little piece of his childhood.

Thanks so much,
Anne

[MartyE]

Anne

What a great post. Any ways to get started I would purchase some O Gauge tubular track if you want to really keep with the nastalgic theme. If not there are other track options that wil work nicely on the carpet. MTH RealTrack and Lionel FastTrack. I would think though the tubular would be more exciting to go with the new set. Just my opinion. If you have time take the transformer, engine and tender to a local shop and just have them checked out. Better safe than sorry and they could probably get any little issue fixed in a hurry. When buying the track just make sure you get a "Lock On" for tubular or the special section for power if you use the other mentioned track.

There are after market smoke pellets that maybe available at your local hobby store for the smoke unit if the engine is equipped, The hobby store or someone here could be more informative on that.

I would steer away from switches for now until your dad gets a look at it. They are a bit $$ and at this time he may have some other ideas on what he wants to do as far as setting it up.

Please keep the questions coming as there is a wealth of folks here that would love to help such a great daughter!

[Anonymous]

You will need 8 sections of curved track probably O gauge would be best, and 4 or 6 sections of straight track plus a transformer, this will get every thing started. I am thinking that your father will know how to go from there.

[Anonymous]

Any ideas where the best place is to get the track? Can I buy it online? As for the transformer- are they all the same? I'm not even too sure what it's function is. Is there a certain type I would need?

thanks for all the great info you given thus far...it's so helpful.

anne

[Anonymous]

Yes the track can be purchased on eBay as can the transformer, go into the o gauge Lionel section and type in track for your search then after finding track (make sure it isn't rusty) search for a transformer ( steps down the 120 volt AC current to 0 to 20 volts AC) to run the train. Most transformers offered advertise that they work, make sure it says that in the description. If you have only one locomotive an inexpensive transformer will do around $15.00 or less.

[daan]

When I see the ebay-site, it has already a transformer included. Take it with you when you get the locomotive checked up and if it works, it should be perfect for the trainset.
The tracks are best bought new, because tubular can be tricky due to missing pins etc. You won't recoughnise it when you don't know where to look at. Besides that, a hobby shop which checks up your trains, can also provide you with the tracks, and tubular is cheap, even if you buy it new.
The set itself is a great piece! Don't throw the boxes away, since they are seldom too and are important to keep the train set in original condition.
The loco is a great runner and apart from some minor service won't disapoint you. All together, you scored a very nice set (certainly since you don't know a thing about toytrains).
Congratulations to it!

[Anonymous]

Your set apparently came with a transformer (at least one is shown in the pictures). You need a transformer to convert ordinary household voltage to the low (and safe) voltages used to run the train. The transformer plugs into the wall outlet, and two wires are attached from the transformer to the track, via a device known as a "Lockon" that slips under the rails. The handle on the transformer controls the amount of current fed to the train and, thus, the train's speed.

HOWEVER, the transformer that came with your set appears to be quite old, and I would definitely recommend that you have someone familiar with these things--preferably a train repair guy in a local hobby shop, if there's one near you--check it out thoroughly. The main problem (usually) with older transformers is a frayed or otherwise damaged power cord. That can be VERY dangerous!

Strictly my opinion, but your best bet is to buy some NEW O gauge tubular track. It's not expensive--eight curved sections make a circle, and you can add straight sections to your heart's content to expand the layout. And, if necessary, buy a new transformer and the appropriate Lockon for the track. You won't need a big or expensive transformer, so don't get talked into buying more than you need for this train. If your dad gets hooked on the hobby, he can always get a larger transformer later on, if necessary, and use the smaller one to power some accessories on his layout.

But the primary reason for visiting a local hobby shop that has a train repairman, if you have one in your area, is to have the locomotive, in particular, cleaned and lubricated so you can be sure it is operating properly before you present the train to your dad. There's nothing more disappointing than getting an electric train that doesn't run! And there's a certain amount of risk involved when one buys via eBay because you'll often be purchasing from someone who doesn't even know what he has (as in this case, since the fellow didn't even know when the train was made). Sometimes, that can lead to a great buy, but it can also lead to a whole lot of disappointment in other cases.

[garyseven]

Koko
Let us know where you live and maybe we can recommend a local hobby shop, or a regional hobby shop in your area that will be worth the drive.
Here's what I call "The Trinity:"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/087349248X/qid=1101163775/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-4801457-5633421?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Getting Started With Lionel Trains: Your Introduction to Model Railroading Fun by Allan Miller (Who dat?)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0873493508/qid%3D1101163894/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-4801457-563342
Model Railroading With MTH Electric Trains

http://www.ogaugerr.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=BOOK-PRIMER3
The OGR Primer - Your Introduction to Model Railroading Fun for the Whole Family!

Any of them would be a great stocking stuffer for your father.

[pbjwilson]

Anne,
Thats a great set, your dad will be very happy. I have the same locomotive and it's a great runner. Check a local hobby shop for track. Sometimes they have bundles of old Lionel track for cheap. And new track isnt that expensive either. Your dad will probably be familiar with the traditional Lionel 3 rail track. It would be appropriate for the set you purchased.

Happy Holidays to you and your dad!

[Anonymous]

Well Anne,

It looks really beautiful, what you just purchased for your dad.

I am still a very young father, but I certainly hope that my daughter will purchase similar gifts for me 20-30 years from now!

You already got some good advise: 8 curves is minimum and more tracks including 8 straights and 2 switches will make it more pleasant.

Enjoy watching your dad play!

Ulphard

[GPJ68]

Take the tender to a shop too to have the whistle serviced along with checking out the locomotive. Definitely have them look at the transformer as well, that's an oldie. I have two of those 1666 engines, one Pre-War and one Post - that were my father's/uncles'. They'd race them side-by-side - very fast suckers. They took a lickin' but still keep tickin'. The seller got the dates wrong - that set dates Pre-War, not late 40's to 50's. Clean the wheel crude off (if any), add a drop of oil to all the wheels, and that set should last another 65+ years.

I don't think that transformer has a whistle button - you'll need to either get a separate whistle controller, or spring for a slightly newer transformer with a built-in whistle button. Not sure, since my repair manuals are still packed away from the recent move.

Also, FYI, those are Pre-War hook couplers - they won't mate up with anything made Post-War to current production, but the fix is easy - just need one more older Lionel car to put a knuckle coupler truck on one end and a hook coupler truck on the other.

Stick with new tubular track (either O or O27), used stuff is probably not the best for you at first, since it will most likely need a little elbow grease and tweaking to get connected and running smooth. New stuff is cheap, normally runs in the $1-$2 /section range.

Nice little set, very classic/nostalgic to get the interest flowing again....

GPJ

[GPJ68]

One more thing - I noticed you're also bidding on a small accessory "set" that has some smoke pellets. FYI, that locomotive doesn't have a smoke unit - those pellets are for other models that have "smokers".

Just a little more info for you.

GPJ

[Anonymous]

Like others have said, make sure the engine works before you spend money on anything else. Getting it fixed soon will be very hard this close to Christmas. I think you got a good deal on this, in any event. Joe

[1688torpedo]

Hello Anne! Try Olsen's Toy Train Parts. They have parts for trains like yours. Plus, They have diagrams that you can see on your computer for engines,Tenders and signals,Etc. Their phone # is 1-216-226-0444. Another parts source is Dr.Tinker's Toy Train Parts and he also has a website and is very helpful and knowledgeable about trains.That set was defintately a good find for you.Your father should be very happy with it.Good Luck. P.S. I'm glad I never had a Grandfather like yours. He sounds like a mean man.[:(].

[phillyreading]

What you have is some nice looking pre-war around '38 or '39 and is 027, but can run on O Gauge track, DO NOT USE Fast Track system or the NEW MTH track as the wheels may jump at the switches or crossings. Can not see if your cars have electric couplers or not from the photos, but if they do you will need an older style uncoupling track with five rails to activate the uncoupler feature, electromagnets do not work with the older Lionel. Not too much money according to Greenberg's price guide, $300.00 to $500.00.