Okay, this might sound like a posting from a Kalmbach employee trying to promote some sales, but I assure you it is not. I am a scale modeler, having built many HO and N scale layouts over the past twenty years. Currently, I scratchbuild in 1:19 scale (British narrow gauge) and 1:29 scale (American "standard gauge on Gauge 1 track") I have always wanted a Lionel layout as my "dream layout" only for the reasons that they seem to be easier and more reliable then my HO and N scale trains. No tiny pieces, cleaning track, finicky performance, etc.
That being said, I have purchased lots of "Beginners" books in the past which weren't terribly helpful. These include those along the lines of "build your first Lionel layout" as well as "collector's guides" and "History of Lionel trains." All are nice, but I know how to lay Lionel track, know where to turn to for 3-rail wiring help, and don't care as much about collecting. What I want are guide books that would help build an O-scale layout using three rail track, rather then a tinplate layout. By tinplate, I mean one crammed with track, lots of accessories, retro-40's look...
I am not knocking anybody else's approach to layout designs, but some of the questions above aren't really answered well in the genre of books I have described. As an example: I have questions about things like what size minimum radius should I use for running large equipment like FM TrainMasters, GG1s, etc. Can I use 0-27 track with its smaller profile rail and switches for this large equipment? What are some ways to take 3-rail train layouts to the "next step" in terms of making the layouts look more like model railroads and less like "display railroads." Etc.
Anyone have suggestions?
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
Two books that I personally like are published by Kalmbach. They are:
Build a Better Toy Train Layout written by John Grams and Dick Christianson.
and
Realistic Modeling For Toy Trains written by Dennis Brennan.
I don't have a book to recommend; but I can answer two of your specific questions.
You can run Lionel GG1s on O27, both plain track and turnouts. GG1s, up through the 2360, are scale in height and width, but about 30 percent short.
You cannot run Lionel Train Masters on O27, neither plain track nor turnouts, without modification: Slightly widen the "keyhole" in the frame that prevents the trucks from turning far enough and trim a sliver off the field coil bobbins for the same purpose. Also reverse the pickup assemblies to put the rollers between flanged wheels, so that they stay on the center rail in the curves. To avoid hitting the O27 switch machines, remove the fuel tank.
Bob Nelson
Okay, to break up my original post into two portions:
Book recommendation: Thank you for those two suggestions. I just found them this morning by digging through the Kalmbach bookstore. They book look like what I am after, especially the "Realistic Modeling for Toy Trains." The cover photo is exactly the type of layout I am after. I would only add to that list "Creative Toy Train Track Plans," which might also scratch my itch. I haven't seen the inside yet, but it sounds from its description to be more then a roundy-round layout book.
O27 Questions: Let me clarrify a bit. I don't mean that I want to run the trains on 0-27 curves. I mean that I want to know if I can run them on 0-27 rail-profile track. In other words, will the smaller 0-27 track buckle under the weight of the heavy engines, or are there large enough radius turnouts in 0-27 rail profile to accomidate larger engines. Certainly, I wouldn't dare putting large engines through turnouts and curves that are really 27" in diameter!
There are 42 inch curves in 027 track heigth and also half curves in regular 027 curves.
You might want to look at another brand of track called Gargraves, their curves start at 31 inches and go up to 110 inches. Not 100% sure but Gargraves does have switches in; 031, 042, 054, & 072. Ross Custom Switches makes switches in a wide variety of styles and curve sizes and they match up with Gargraves without any adapters needed. The other thing about Gargraves track is that all three rails are seperated electrically, just insert some insulating pins and you can control a block signal very easy.
Lee F.
Benjamin MaggiO27 Questions: Let me clarrify a bit. I don't mean that I want to run the trains on 0-27 curves. I mean that I want to know if I can run them on 0-27 rail-profile track. In other words, will the smaller 0-27 track buckle under the weight of the heavy engines, or are there large enough radius turnouts in 0-27 rail profile to accomidate larger engines. Certainly, I wouldn't dare putting large engines through turnouts and curves that are really 27" in diameter!
No engine you will run on Lionel track will buckle it.
You can use all the O-27 you want... just use the larger curves as you have described. This is precisely what I do - FM's, GG1's, Hudsons, etal. No problems with O-27-42" and up switches.
Rob
Ben, in addition to what's already been said, the 027 track will not buckle under the weight of a heavy train, unless you have elevated tracks using the Lionel Trestle Set and have too much space between the trestles or don't put the trestles directly under the track joints. On a flat layout surface, you'll be fine. 027 track is made in several diameters and MARX Trains made it in a 34 inch diameter curve. Though many times sellers don't realize they have the larger 34" curves and think they're the normal 027 curves.
The only trouble you'll find with nornal 027 curves and switches is that some of the larger locomotives and scale length cars will not navigate the tight curves or clear the switch box housing, espeically on the post-1970 design of the the 027 switch. Some of the older postwar manual Lionel switches have a much smaller or no switch box housing. The 1121 electric and the 1024 manual switches are from the era you want to recreate. The later made 1022 manual 027 switch does have a nice feature, where the train will not run into a closed switch as the track power in the switch is controlled by the direction of the switch. This was the only 027 manual switch that has this neat feature.
If you like the automatic non-derailing feature, then the 0-gauge track is the way to go. The track is higher in profile than 027, but the postwar 0 switches are amoung the best.
Then there's also the route that Lee suggested.
If you are into doing a "retro" layout, check out this website for ideas and info. This is really the very best website for beginners and more to answer all sorts of questions and get ideas:
www.thortrains.net
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
Thanks again. Brian, I believe I actually asked the same question many years ago on this forum and you helped me then. I have lost my notes. Whenever I look around and see pictures, I lean more and more towards Gargraves. Living in NY State about an hour from them as a child, and now only about 2.5 hours, it makes it somewhat convenient. I just wonder how long they will keep manufacturing it, as I undertstand it is a family-owned business.
Benjamin Maggi I just wonder how long they will keep manufacturing it, as I undertstand it is a family-owned business.
They're not going away.
Members of the next generation of the Roder family are firmly in place of both GarGraves & Gardner, The Train Doctor.
Just as a follow-up to my original posting, I recently purchased the modeling magazine/book "Realistic Track Plans for O-Gauge Trains" and found it to be excellent. While some plans are still a spaghetti bowl of track, many do indeed replicate the feel of a prototype railroad using tubular o-gauge track. I only wish the author, Marty McGuirk had given the dimensions for each layout or overlaid a grid on each plan. It is very difficult to get a feel for the size of the plan using only circles of track with a known diameter (0-31, 0-54, etc.)
Still, I recommend this older book (mid-late 1990s) for anyone who might be in my shoes. Combined with Dennis' book mentioned above, they form a great pairing.
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