After many years I am proud to join my father and introduce my son to model railroading. I decided to start out with a Lionel O gauge Santa Fe set purchased from JC Penny. It was a gift to my 2 yr old son for Christmas. My son and I love it. It is a replica of an old 60's set I believe. My engine is a 4-4-2 not the 0-8-0. Their are two different sets I now see. We have enjoyed operating it so much that I am going to purchase an engine and some cars for myself. I have wanted a "Big Boy" since I was young and intend to purchase the Lionel LionMaster along with the Legacy controller. It describes itself as semi scale.
First question is what is semi scale?
Second question is the following...
I am going to start purchasing rolling stock. Are their certain dimensions for the cars? The boxcar that I own from our "JC Penny set" measures approx 9 3/4 in. I see other boxcars measuring 10 1/2 in. I know the set I purchased is more along the lines of a "toy". What should I look for that would match up to the Big Boy? I know the history of the engine and the line. I am more asking as to what dimension cars will match to the engine scale wise. I am looking at boxcars, reefers, and gondolas.
Third and final question for now..
The set we currently own uses the Lionel FasTrack. Can I use FasTrack for the Big Boy? I do know that I will have to have a wider curve.
Any help or advise is greatly appreciated. My thanks in advance!
1. Semi-scale: opinions may vary, but semi-scale in the world of Lionel generally means an engine or car that has been "selectively compressed" to accept the tighter curves and switches often used on a Toy Train layout. The LionMaster series is a great example of this. Not only did they shorten the length, but they carefully reduced other dimensions as well to create an engine that doesn't appear "clunky". Scale trains are very close to exact 1:48 representations of the real thing.
2. The rolling stock that came with your son's set could be described as "semi-scale". Lionel makes two lines of rolling stock: "traditional" and "Standard O". You should pick which way you want to go now, before you collect a huge amount of both. Your choice will be determined by two things: the amount of room you have to dedicate to your railroad(scale trains require wider curves, wider curves require bigger layouts), and if you plan to "play" with your trains(operating accessories, fanciful operating cars). Here is a video I shot of my layout, which uses LionMaster engines and semi-scale cars an Operating Accessories:
VIDEO1
Here's a web site for a scale O Gauge railroad:
WEBSITE
3. The LionMaster Big Boy pushes the limit of what a locomotive designed for a 31" diameter circle of track can be and do. A 31" diameter curve is the tightest this engine can negotiate. Your son's FasTrack has a 36" minimum, so you're good to go with FasTrack. Also: FasTrack switches have a great reputation for being bullet-proof.
Jon
Jon thank you so very much. That is an awesome layout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was thinking of going to a greater curve just because. How do I tell the difference between standard O and traditional? Which do you recommend? Thanks a million again!!!!!!!
While there's certainly nothing wrong with going the scale route, I prefer mixing in the fun accessories made over the past 70 years and so my personal choice is to go with the Traditional line. If you look through the Lionel catalog, they try to separate the lines.
Best bet is to choose which kind of layout you envision, and then choose gear to match. But there are no rules in this game, so do what YOU like.
And get a subscription to CTT, and buy some books before you start!
Kooljock1 Here is a video I shot of my layout, which uses LionMaster engines and semi-scale cars an Operating Accessories: VIDEO1 Here's a web site for a scale O Gauge railroad: WEBSITE Jon
Here is a video I shot of my layout, which uses LionMaster engines and semi-scale cars an Operating Accessories:
Jon, you have an amazing layout. This is the 1st time I’ve seen it and I’m truly humbled.
I can’t help to wonder how long you’ve been working on it.
Thanks for your comments!
You can read about the layout in Roger Carp's article in the February issue of CTT. But the fancy looking stuff goes pretty quick once you develop plan. The grass, the roads, the trees and ballast only too a few days. My daughter Lauren and I made 100 trees in one afternoon. You just have make a plan. The important thing is to create a track plan that works, get all your accessories where you want them, and then after it's all up and working and running smoothly, tackle the scenery.
Jon,
Just, BEAUTIFUL !
Ralph
Just wanted to express my thanks again. My son and I watched your video about 50 times. He kept saying Daddy again!!!!!!! More trains!!!!!!!! I will follow what you advise. After careful consideration I will go with the Traditional line. I downloaded about four catalogs from the Lionel website and will hit the local news stand and grab a copy of CTT. I will make sure to post some pictures to show our progress. Our carpet is a sandy color.....could be a desert scene hahahaha. Thank you my friend!
Mike & Erik
That's a great story! Thanks. Keep those questions coming!
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