re-beginner needs guidance

[Anonymous]

Hello all, and thanks in advance for any help you can provide. I have a circa-1974 Lionel set that I'd like to use as the starting point for a layout. However, I'm having trouble in my research figuring out what sort of transformer/control system would be best -- TMCC (?) looks very nice but I'm not sure what I would need for, say, a 4-by-8 layout that would allow for expansion. Also, I'm also wanting to learn about track. I have a fair amount of the original metal trackage but am interested in getting FasTrack or a comparable style from another manufacturer. From what I can find, Lionel doesn't currently sell FasTrack in packs large enough to do a substantial layout, 4-by-8 with the option of expanding. Any ideas?

[phillyreading]

Welcome LMacRail,

Stay with the older track for now, you can always get an adapter piece to go to O gauge track, and maybe get a newer transformer if running the newer trains. Going with TMCC may be a bit more expensive than you think for now, not all trains(post war) will work with TMCC or remote control systems.

GarGraves makes a realistic looking track and all rails are insulated from each other even though it is three rail.

Lee F.

[csxt30]

Hello LMacrail & welcome to the forum !!   If you do some more research on Lionel's TMCC, you can see it will run any of the engines out there, including postwar & prewar, in conventional mode, & giving you control with walk around capabilities. Just get the Base & Cab-1 remote & a Powermaster for conventional running. The new legacy system is due out in a few months & you could wait till then for it maybe. You still will need a good transforme & you would want to pick out a good size one for now & for TMCC down the road, maybe. Down the road, you would have all the capabilities for not only running conventional engines, but if you should want to try a Railsounds eng, you would have everything needed. There is also DCS control for conventional & MTH's command control engines you may want to check out.

 Thanks, John  & most of all, have fun !!

[jefelectric]

To get a good education in TMCC & DCS, I highly recomend the videos that are available.  See links below.  I have them and they answer a lot of questions.

http://www.ogaugerr.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?search=action&keywords=Trainmaster

http://www.ogaugerr.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=V-DCS-01

I don't think the guys at CTT will object to this post as they do not have a competing product.

[BlackJack]

I'd first recommend looking at the Lionel.com  catalog section. Read over the TMCC section, in the catalogs. It describes what equipment you will need to run conventional AC powered trains. You can buy mailorder to pay less than MSRP.

Fastrack is a great product for the beginner, or for floor layouts or basic layouts. It may proof to be desireable for larger layouts too, but it is sort of new, and lots of big layouts use either tinplate traditional track, or scale track from gargraves, atlas or MTH.

I don't think fastrack comes in expansion packs like o27 and o gauge did, but you could probably buy it piecemeal. You need to figure out if you have o27 or o gauge track.

The only real drawback to fastrack is noise and possibly expense compared to cheaper traditional offerings.  But people seem to like it for running, and that it has good switches(turnouts). I'd recommend looking at online pics of layouts with various track manufacturers products to see which looks best to you.

The least expensive option would be 027 or o gauge track-tinplate traditional, lots of manufactures make it new.

[Buckeye Riveter]

......, not all trains(post war) will work with TMCC or remote control systems.

I guess I better stop running my post war trains with my TMCC. 

Needless to say, John's post about the research can save you money and headaches as you expand the layout.  Looking back, I must have researched TMCC for six to eight months before taking the plunge.  I had two dealers actually do demonstrations for me in their shops and then entertained a multitude of questions.  One of my questions was, "Can I run my old stuff with TMCC?"  I made one train shop put an old used Lionel engine on the track so I could see how it worked. 

[ChiefEagles]

......, not all trains(post war) will work with TMCC or remote control systems.

I guess I better stop running my post war trains with my TMCC. 

Needless to say, John's post about the research can save you money and headaches as you expand the layout.  Looking back, I must have researched TMCC for six to eight months before taking the plunge.  I had two dealers actually do demonstrations for me in their shops and then entertained a multitude of questions.  One of my questions was, "Can I run my old stuff with TMCC?"  I made one train shop put an old used Lionel engine on the track so I could see how it worked. 

Buckeye, I guess I'd better stop running mine PW's with TMCC too.  Got to tell them to stop running better with TMCC thans transformer control too.  Even the whistle need to stop blowing better with TMCC. 

From experience, I started with transformer control [Post War transformers], to DCS controlling PW engines, back to transformer control as DCS did not work too great with PW, to adding a TPC to my TMCC and finding they run better with the Cab 1.   

[thor]

The first thing you need is a decent power supply even if that means biting the bullet dollar wise. Because thats the heart of your system, its tempting to go buy a new loco or some rolling stock when the moneys burning a hole in your pocket but without a good power supply you cant do anything.

The other guys here know more than me I'd like TMCC eventually but it requires a power supply too, either its own or driven off something suitable, so I'd still go with the big lump. MTH, Lionel and MRC all make one, I rather like the MRC one though I'd rather have the Lionel.

You can never have enough track, the old tubular stuff has lots of advantages, its cheap, its easy to fiddle which means make it bend or wiggle when it really shouldnt. Fast Track is excellent but it wont allow fiddling at all.  Also it costs a lot more but it looks and works great.  The transition piece that lets you join the tubular to Fast Track isnt much and you can always buy one (or two) to put in say a FastTrack switch into an oval of tubular, the FastTrack switches are the best I've ever encountered.

As you get going you can gradually use FAstTrack for all the best bits that are up close but the old tubular is ideal for anywhere looks dont matter like inside tunnels and out of the way trackage when you're fortunate enough to have that much acreage!  Also in my opinion FastTrack inclines using the snap on incline pieces look kinda dumb because you wouldnt have ballasted track like that. Tubular works better for that, it looks more believable.

If you want to get enough FastTrack to have an oval you might be better off buying a train set as they come with that and Lionels expansion packs are all based on adding to the basic oval, buying a train set is the best bang for your buck I think.  However with all that real estate going to waste in the middle and the possibility of just squeezing another oval in on the outer edge of a 4x8 sheet you'll only get away with it using tubular which can just be oonched in if you drive real careful on the bends!  Thats exactly the setup I have.  One Fast Track switch feeding via a conversion piece to a long tubular outside siding, almost an oval not quite and another FastTrack switch feeding into the oval and I'll buy some second hand tubular switches to squish in more sidings in the middle.  Used tubular is very cheap.

Anyway the main point is to get going and have lots of fun and anyway whats wrong with using the floor to lay track all over the place once in a while?  

 

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. As far as power supply, are you talking a transformer (ZW or CW-80) AND a PowerHouse supply set? I'm guessing the transformer that came with my set won't adapt to TMCC or something similar.

[dwiemer]

The transformer that came with your set probably is too small for TMCC and would be very limiting to any expansion.  The CW80 has had lots of detractors as Lionel did have some batches that did not work properly, also, it is a different wave, so could cause problems with other electronics.  If you are set on just expanding your 1974 set, then you may want to stay with the tubular track.  Lionel and others have a wide assortment of turns and switches available these days.  If I was in your shoes, and I was a few years ago, I purchased a set for just over $200.00 with shipping.  It came with a oval of Fastrack, a CW80 (which Lionel sent a new one, no questions asked), and several accessories.  Then, with time, I purchased more track and larger transformers.  At least the newer Lionel (or any MFG) set, you will be off to a good start.  When you have taken the plunge into a larger, more intricate layout, you can add TMCC, or DCS if you please.

Good Luck,

dennis