Hello, I recently purchased a train. However, I don't know anything about trains. I would like to know more about it, like the scale, year, and if it's electric, etc.
It's a Lionel set. The engine is black and has the #1060 on it. The set also includes a a red caboose, a black coal car, a Lehigh valley car, and a blue flat car with 3409 on the side, and some track (all of the cars have a #7 on the bottom of the wheel attachment).
Any help that anyone could offer, would be appreciated.
Thanks! Sherry
Hello ditasw & to the forum !! That is a Lionel Scout set according to the postwar web-site . You can go here & find out quite a bit about each piece. Did you have it running yet ? Let us know how you're doing with it & if you need help getting it going, always some one here to help !
http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=1060
Thanks, John
Sherry,
To start with the basics, your train is O gauge and most likely will have O-27 track (O gauge track with a 27-inch radius). It is indeed electric. If you want to set up and run your train, check out this site, which has a reprint of a vintage Lionel instruction manual that should tell you everything you need to know about how to get your train going: http://www.thortrains.net/manualx.htm . Electric trains need a transformer (controller) to be operated. You don't mention one and since you weren't sure if the train was electric (I assumer you would realize that it was if a transformer was present because it has a cord to plug into the wall), I'm guessing that it might not be there. If there is a hobby shop in your area that deals in vintage trains, you might be able to pick up a transformer there. If not, perhaps a hobby shop that deals in new trains might know of a Lionel collector in your area who could supply you with one. These are also good sources for extra track, which you will no doubt want, unless the train's original owner added track to original set. Also, if you have a transformer, be sure to check that it is in good condition and that the cord is not cracked or damaged before plugging it in.
As for the train itself, the site listed by John gives good information on the engine. It is a cheaper entry-level starter set. Value-wise, the engine is worth about $20-$30 and the Lehigh Valley car (called a hopper car) and caboose are worth around $10 each. The 3409 flatcar is actually a helicopter-launching car. This car was manufacturered only in 1961, so your train would date from that year. It could be worth anywhere from $45 to over $100, depending on its condition and especially whether or not the launching mechanism is still intact and the helicopter present. I'm assuming that it isn't present, since you didn't mention it. The helicopters usually go missing after all these years and reproductions are available if you really want one. To see a complete car with it's helicopter, plus detailed information on it, see: http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=3409 .
Also, a couple of other basic points. The proper name for the black "coal car" is a tender. It goes with the engine (and hence is included in the engine's value), as it hauls the fuel that the engine burns. The "7's" on the bottom of the cars are actually "L's", standing for Lionel.
I hope this helps you out and if you have any questions at all, even if you think they are silly, do not hesitate to ask. There is a great group of people on here and we are more than happy to help.
Bob Nelson
lionelsoni wrote:Twenty-seven-inch diameter, Sask...;-)
I knew that. It's early morning, after all...
Wow....thanks for all the information. You're right, I don't have a transformer (controller). There is a really nice train hobby shop in my town.
However, now that you mention that this is a entry level set ( and since there is missing parts), I think I might look for a more complete one on ebay or in the hobby shop.
My dad had a complete train set when I was young, and I used to love watching him work on it. The layout he had was huge. He had house, trees, people, tons of track, cars, etc. His was a smaller scale though, and I think I would like to see what I can find in a smaller scale.
Thanks so much for all the information!!!
If space is the issue in your thinking of getting something in a smaller scale, the sharp curves O-27 track are actually quite close to the size of the curves of HO scale trains (which are half the size of O scale), so really they take up about a simmilar amount of space. It's just that the trains are different sizes. Also, if you were to get some more Lionel items, you could still use what you already have now, as almost all Lionel trains made since 1945 are compatible with one another.
Don't let me dissuade you from getting a smaller scale if that is what appeals to you and you like the size, however. Only you know what you like best.
What are your intentions for the model train hobby? Do you plan on eventually building a layout like your dad or do you just want a train set that can be set up on the floor and taken down sporadically?
If it's the latter you want, O gauge trains are probably the best suited to this. If you like HO, though, make sure that you get a set with track that has plastic roadbed attached to the bottom, such as Bachmann E-Z Track, which works very well being set up and taken down on the floor. Other types of HO track do not work well at all being used in this manner.
If you are buying trains new, O gauge sets by Lionel range from $125 and up. The most basic of HO sets, by contrast, can be had for under $50, but these are lower-end items. However, if it's Lionel you like, don't let the prices for new items dissuade you. While many old Lionel trains are collectables worth large amounts of money, there are many vintage and second-hand Lionel items that can be had at very reasonable prices, especially the more common items, which can be much cheaper than buying new. These trains were built to last and will give you years of running time. I've often bought old Lionel sets that have been sitting in somebody's basement for decades and with little or no cleaning up, they run like brand new. There are also Marx trains, which were made from the 30's to the 70's. These don't go with Lionel, but they run on the same track and are often very low-priced. If you are going for HO, on the other hand, avoid second-hand items if you are just starting out. Once you have experience with HO and are more knowledgable, you may want to buy used when adding on to what you have, but definitely get a new set to start out.
If you want to build a permanent layout, on the other hand, third and fourth options are N and Z scale, which are very small. N is half the size of HO and Z is half the size of N. The advantage to these trains is that you can fit more stuff into a small space. These are NOT at all suitable for being used on the floor on a sporadic basis, however! Also, for N and Z, smaller does not equal cheaper. Z scale is actually more expensive than HO.
My advice to you would be to go to the hobby shop and look at what they have to see what is available, even if you choose to buy your trains elsewhere. The people there should be very knowledgeable, so talk to them and ask questions. The important thing is to choose the type of train that you personally like the best and is suitable for your needs.
And finally, enjoy yourself! That's what this hobby is all about!
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