Next question. Is there any possible way to attach a coupler to the front end of a Lionel 4-6-4 Hudson?
TIA [Thanks In Advance]
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
Your questions can be better answered in the Toy Train Operations forum or the Classic Trains forum. This forum deals mostly with HO and N Scales.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Actually, you've come to the right forum. This is primarily an O ,S and Lionel Std Gage forum.
And yes, Lionel postwar steamers can be modified to accept front couplers. I ave not done it, but there have been 'how to' articles in CTT magazine. Check their archives.
Others on this forum will ,guide you on track planning I'm sure.
For starters IVRW, here's a link to a website that has more information on it than anything even Lionel offers:
http://www.thortrains.net/marx/47fastrack1.html
This page has all sorts of FasTrack layouts with 3-D illustrations for small spaces, but it should help spark some ideas. At the very bottom of the page, there's a link for the home page, the All Gauge Railroading page. Everything is listed out pretty clearly, and there are lots of ideas and information contained on that site. Thortrains is one of the very best in my book.
Now you don't give too much info on that loco that runs one direction only. If it is a low-end starter Lionel loco with a DC can motor, you can either run the loco with a DC power pack and it will run forward and reverse as an HO loco would. You can also find (with some searching) a Lionel G scale converter box which will allow you to run a loco like this with any Lionel AC transformer and run it forward and reverse. You can also make a convertor box like this yourself. You could also, depending on the size of the loco, add a circuit board reverse unit... they cost around $15.
On your scratch building quest, you know you can often find neat wood packages at dollar stores and the like. My Wal-Mart carries a bag with about a dozen wood pieces in sizes like 1/8 square along withy 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2... it's under $2. There's also a bag with wood slats. Many of the crafting stores carry bags of odds and ends sizes of wood which are handy for scratch building projects.
Keeps your eyes open for useful stuff that is headed to the trash. Old window screens can come in handy for the nylon screen material. Any old electronic item, like a CD player that no longer works can be cobbed apart to get all the minature screws (when you start buying small screws you realize how much they can cost). Many times I have found the motors in these units still work even though the CD player doesn't work... those DC motors can come in handy for scratch built animations.
There's all sorts of things you can do to be creative and save money too. And if you're interested I can give you quite a list.
Welcome to the hobby and remind your folks there are far worse (and more expensive) things you could be interested in.... trains are alright. And trust me, this hobby CAN be done on a budget IF you are willing to be creative, patient and to comprosmise.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
runtime Actually, you've come to the right forum. This is primarily an O ,S and Lionel Std Gage forum. And yes, Lionel postwar steamers can be modified to accept front couplers. I ave not done it, but there have been 'how to' articles in CTT magazine. Check their archives. Others on this forum will ,guide you on track planning I'm sure.
Hi Runtime,
Jeffery's statement was probably because, if I'm not mistaken, this thread was originally posted in the MR forum, not CTT, then moved by a moderator to this forum, where it is more appropriate, and would get better answers. Unfortunately, when a moderator moves a thread, they rarely add an edit note to it saying that it has been moved(I have seen Selector add a note, Thank You, Selector) it can make posts that were posted before being moved seem a littlle confusing. I have been in the same situation as Jeffery is here, advising someone of a more appropriate forum, then being told "THIS IS the RIGHT FORUM" after it has beeen moved from an inappropriate forum.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
You might want to consider obtaining The Lionel Fastrack Book .
Checkout the Fastrack Yahoo group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/
Click on Photos on the left side. Lots of photos and trackplans.
don
Challenger3980, you are correct there.
Brianel027, several things. First, I am not new to the hobby, I have been in it for several years. Also, my locomotive is a very high end 4-6-4 Hudson from about 2002. Just until recently, it would go both directions. I just went to a hobby shop and the owner said that newer Lionel locomotives were equipped with a switch, which, when engaged, would only allow the locomotive to travel in one direction. Can anyone tell me about this. I have confined the problem to the locomotive after eliminating several variables. Any ideas?
Hi IVRW,
Take a look at Lionel's past catalogs, 2002 Vol 1, there is a J3a Hudson in the 50th Anniversery set, and a Dreyfuss Stream-Lined Hudson as a seperate sale item offered in that catalog. Is either of them the locomotive that You have? It would really help trouble shooting, if we were able to identify which locomotive it is that You have.
I can't help You at this point about being locked into forward, but if it is either of the above mentioned locomotives, they both came with a replacable front coupler originally, that could be used for double heading. If You don't have the original, Lionel may, or may not have one available, but with some looking around you may be able to find one for it. Many of the new high end Lionel locomotives come with similar interchangable couplers, but I can't say if those would fit your locomotive or not.
My Dad and I drove 50 miles to a good Hobby Shop. [We also went to a reenactment of the Golden Spike Ceremony] There the guy flipped a switch and it runs fine now. But as always in the best mystery show, until the end, there are always more questions being made than questions being answered. Anyway, when I run my locomotive over a fastrack point too slow, it will lock up in to neutral [something I have not been able to experience for months :-) ]. Is that supposed to happen? Can I counteract that? Or is it just plain unstoppable?
On a side note, I would love to find out all this information on my own, and probably could, but several factors are preventing me from doing that. First, it is mothers day today [slave for a day] and second, after doing my AP US History Test [this one was the test where it you pass, you get collage credit. It covered both semesters] yesterday, I am a little fried [in fact, at this very moment, I am having to stuff tissues up my nose and ears to prevent whats left of my brain from spilling out].
IVRW After reconfiguring the track several times, I have run out of ideas. Can anybody point me to a website that has plenty of Lionel Fastrack plans. Also, I would prefer to have the plans more geared to continuous running, seeing as my 7 year old locomotive can only run forewards.
After reconfiguring the track several times, I have run out of ideas. Can anybody point me to a website that has plenty of Lionel Fastrack plans. Also, I would prefer to have the plans more geared to continuous running, seeing as my 7 year old locomotive can only run forewards.
What is the maximum size space available for your layout?
Do you have room to create an "L" shaped layout?Can you afford to include several switches/turnouts? (They can certainly make your layout much more interesting to run).
Perhaps, with this additional information, someone can suggest a Fastrack layout suitable for your purposes.
Another suggestion is to peruse other layout websites (even HO), and when you find one to your liking, attempt to adapt it using Lionel's Fastrack. You may have to make several alterations/changes to make it fit your available space, but it's worth a try.
Good luck.
P.S. Glad to hear you're locomotive can run in both directions!
First off, if you do not already have one you should be able to download the loco's operating manual from the Lionel website. At the bottom of their homepage is a link to "customer service" and from there you can/might be able to download any pertinent documents. Some items don't have paperwork available but you might be able to get around that by looking for the same item in a different road name.
As far as the engine going into neutral it sounds as if there might be a dead spot in the track causing the e-unit to cycle from a momentary loss of power. You don't specify where this issue is occurring, straight/curve/switch/etc, or is it in the same spot all the time. Check the track connections and give it a good cleaning with a scotchbrite pad and wipe it down with a cloth and a little denatured, my preference, or isopropyl alcohol. Be very careful due to flamibility !
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Pennsylvania StationIVRW After reconfiguring the track several times, I have run out of ideas. Can anybody point me to a website that has plenty of Lionel Fastrack plans. Also, I would prefer to have the plans more geared to continuous running, seeing as my 7 year old locomotive can only run forewards. What is the maximum size space available for your layout? Do you have room to create an "L" shaped layout?Can you afford to include several switches/turnouts? (They can certainly make your layout much more interesting to run). Perhaps, with this additional information, someone can suggest a Fastrack layout suitable for your purposes. Another suggestion is to peruse other layout websites (even HO), and when you find one to your liking, attempt to adapt it using Lionel's Fastrack. You may have to make several alterations/changes to make it fit your available space, but it's worth a try. Good luck. P.S. Glad to hear you're locomotive can run in both directions!
One thing, this is a floor layout. I have around a 20x20 space if I move a chair [better call my dad, seeing that I have a broken leg. On a side note, the Tibia is the slowest healing bone in the body] I have 6 points, 3 left and 3 right, but 5 being used is preferred because my sister hogs one for herself [se doesn't even play with her train anymore].
dougdagrump First off, if you do not already have one you should be able to download the loco's operating manual from the Lionel website. At the bottom of their homepage is a link to "customer service" and from there you can/might be able to download any pertinent documents. Some items don't have paperwork available but you might be able to get around that by looking for the same item in a different road name. As far as the engine going into neutral it sounds as if there might be a dead spot in the track causing the e-unit to cycle from a momentary loss of power. You don't specify where this issue is occurring, straight/curve/switch/etc, or is it in the same spot all the time. Check the track connections and give it a good cleaning with a scotchbrite pad and wipe it down with a cloth and a little denatured, my preference, or isopropyl alcohol. Be very careful due to flamibility !
I am sorry for being so vague. Most of my posting in this has been posted while I was studding for my AP US History Test. It is happening on a switch. If there is a fire danger, I will make sure not to be carful because I am a pyromaniac. But thanks for the tip.
IVRWPennsylvania StationIVRW After reconfiguring the track several times, I have run out of ideas. Can anybody point me to a website that has plenty of Lionel Fastrack plans. Also, I would prefer to have the plans more geared to continuous running, seeing as my 7 year old locomotive can only run forewards. What is the maximum size space available for your layout? Do you have room to create an "L" shaped layout?Can you afford to include several switches/turnouts? (They can certainly make your layout much more interesting to run). Perhaps, with this additional information, someone can suggest a Fastrack layout suitable for your purposes. Another suggestion is to peruse other layout websites (even HO), and when you find one to your liking, attempt to adapt it using Lionel's Fastrack. You may have to make several alterations/changes to make it fit your available space, but it's worth a try. Good luck. P.S. Glad to hear you're locomotive can run in both directions! One thing, this is a floor layout. I have around a 20x20 space if I move a chair [better call my dad, seeing that I have a broken leg. On a side note, the Tibia is the slowest healing bone in the body] I have 6 points, 3 left and 3 right, but 5 being used is preferred because my sister hogs one for herself [she doesn't even play with her train anymore].
One thing, this is a floor layout. I have around a 20x20 space if I move a chair [better call my dad, seeing that I have a broken leg. On a side note, the Tibia is the slowest healing bone in the body] I have 6 points, 3 left and 3 right, but 5 being used is preferred because my sister hogs one for herself [she doesn't even play with her train anymore].
Unfortunately, you only answered one (1) of the questions that was asked, and even that was a bit ambiguous.
Ok, you have a 20x20 foot floor space to construct your layout but, apparently, it's actually less.
If you can provide the exact space that you are allowed to construct your layout, and answer the additional questions that were previously posted, perhaps the questions that you asked in your original post can be answered.
Maybe your sister would run her trains more often if you had a larger and more interesting layout.
Pennsylvania StationIVRWPennsylvania StationIVRW After reconfiguring the track several times, I have run out of ideas. Can anybody point me to a website that has plenty of Lionel Fastrack plans. Also, I would prefer to have the plans more geared to continuous running, seeing as my 7 year old locomotive can only run forewards. What is the maximum size space available for your layout? Do you have room to create an "L" shaped layout?Can you afford to include several switches/turnouts? (They can certainly make your layout much more interesting to run). Perhaps, with this additional information, someone can suggest a Fastrack layout suitable for your purposes. Another suggestion is to peruse other layout websites (even HO), and when you find one to your liking, attempt to adapt it using Lionel's Fastrack. You may have to make several alterations/changes to make it fit your available space, but it's worth a try. Good luck. P.S. Glad to hear you're locomotive can run in both directions! One thing, this is a floor layout. I have around a 20x20 space if I move a chair [better call my dad, seeing that I have a broken leg. On a side note, the Tibia is the slowest healing bone in the body] I have 6 points, 3 left and 3 right, but 5 being used is preferred because my sister hogs one for herself [she doesn't even play with her train anymore]. Unfortunately, you only answered one (1) of the questions that was asked, and even that was a bit ambiguous. Ok, you have a 20x20 foot floor space to construct your layout but, apparently, it's actually less.If you can provide the exact space that you are allowed to construct your layout, and answer the additional questions that were previously posted, perhaps the questions that you asked in your original post can be answered.Maybe your sister would run her trains more often if you had a larger and more interesting layout.
IVRW I do have room for an L shaped layout, but as to space, I can literally have anywhere I want [back when my mom denied I had a broken leg, I made a deal with her in front of the whole rest of the family. I said that if I had a broken leg, I would get "Whatever I want, Forever". I think that might come in use when I want to confiscate the family room to use for the Heber Valley Branch of the DRGW] As to giving my sister a more complex layout, that would take the "coolness" away from MY layout, and she just said it herself yesterday that she did not like any form of transportation play.
I do have room for an L shaped layout, but as to space, I can literally have anywhere I want [back when my mom denied I had a broken leg, I made a deal with her in front of the whole rest of the family. I said that if I had a broken leg, I would get "Whatever I want, Forever".
I think that might come in use when I want to confiscate the family room to use for the Heber Valley Branch of the DRGW] As to giving my sister a more complex layout, that would take the "coolness" away from MY layout, and she just said it herself yesterday that she did not like any form of transportation play.
IVRW,
I'm glad to hear you have space for an "L" type layout.
Now, if you can give the measurements of the space you have available for your layout (the length and the width) it will be much easier to determine the design and complexity of your layout.
Can you afford at least 4 Lionel Fastrack switches? If you can, this will afford you a numerous amount of many interesting and fun layout designs.
But first, knowing the actual dimensions of your layout space will make it easier to help design your layout.
Pennsylvania StationIVRW I do have room for an L shaped layout, but as to space, I can literally have anywhere I want [back when my mom denied I had a broken leg, I made a deal with her in front of the whole rest of the family. I said that if I had a broken leg, I would get "Whatever I want, Forever". I think that might come in use when I want to confiscate the family room to use for the Heber Valley Branch of the DRGW] As to giving my sister a more complex layout, that would take the "coolness" away from MY layout, and she just said it herself yesterday that she did not like any form of transportation play. IVRW, I'm glad to hear you have space for an "L" type layout. Now, if you can give the measurements of the space you have available for your layout (the length and the width) it will be much easier to determine the design and complexity of your layout. Can you afford at least 4 Lionel Fastrack switches? If you can, this will afford you a numerous amount of many interesting and fun layout designs. But first, knowing the actual dimensions of your layout space will make it easier to help design your layout.
Wow...I think he's beyond help fellas...
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