Im a nube here, parts

[tony trains]

Thank you for this helpful information, I picked up the 2 items from Radio Shack.   When I finally get rolling with this I hope to document it and post it.   about 15 years ago there were train shows in the Willmington Mass area.  Does anyone know if there is anything going on in the New England area in the future.  Or where can I find out.    Thanks, 

[lionelsoni]

There are various ways to do it.  Here's one:

Create a stop block somewhere on the loop with the center rail isolated for a long enough distance for the train to come to a stop.  Create a control rail on the opposite side of the loop by isolating a piece of outside rail.  Use the control rail to operate a relay whose normally-open contact connects the stop rail to the transformer.  Then each train will stop in the stop block until the other train reaches the control rail.  This should keep them apart as long as their speeds are not too dissimilar.

For the relay circuit, get a DC relay like this one:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3020762&filterName=Type&filterValue=SPST  Connect the relay's coil to the + and - terminals of a bridge rectifier like this one:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062581  Connect one of the bridge rectifier's ~ terminals to an accessory voltage.  Connect the other ~ terminal to the control rail.  Connect the relay's contact between the center rail (or the transformer terminal that supplies the center rail) and the stop rail.

[tony trains]

Thanks for asking that, I would like them to run on auto.  I have seen it on a u tube clip.   I have a ZW transformer and a KW as well.  I know how to do it in manuel mode.  It will be a good size layout at least 8x8, thats good size for me anyway.  

[lionelsoni]

Do you want to control the two trains separately so that you can keep them from colliding by adjusting their speeds?  Or do you want them to run automatically and not collide, without any attention from you?

[tony trains]

I will stick with the pills, it works fine.  What do you now use for track base now, homosote, rigid foam over plywood,  other, ? whats good.   And my next question is how to run 2 trains on one track without them bumping.   Thanks    Lionel trains

[rtraincollector]

another note if you see part of a pill in the stack leave it and try to burn it out by running the engine as sometimes they stick to the element and you break it by trying to get it out.

[cwburfle]

I wil second the recommendation of Jeff Kane, Train Tender

The bulbs you need for your #195 light tower are GE #12, which is a six volt, two-pin G-3 1/2 bulb. Hold onto your hat when you go to buy them. These bulbs were discontinued many years ago, and will cost somewhere around $2.50 each. There are some folks selling other 2-pin bulbs on Ebay, claiming that they are for Lionel trains. They are not! Lionel used  only #12 and #19 2-pin bulbs. As I previously wrote, your light tower uses #12 (6 volt). You may be wondering why a 6 volt bulb is used in a 12 volt accessory. Answer: the bulbs are wired so four bulbs are in series with four bulbs.

As far as smoke stuff goes: As mentioned above you could use liquid smoke in your Loco. But why would you want to do so? Replacement smoke pellets are available for about $15 per bottle. They last a long time. The odds are that your loco already has enough left over smoke pellet stuff in the heater to start smoking without adding any more. In fact, the biggest problems enountered with smoke units are caused by people putting too many pellets in the smoke unit, or people breaking the heater wires by sticking a foreign object in the stack.

[wyomingscout]

Trainz.com is having  a great sale on 027 track, etc.

wyomingscout

[steve24944]

Try looking at Dr Tinker

http://www.drtinkertrains.com/

[tony trains]

Thank You , yes these help, some are close by.  I remember doing business with charles ro years ago.

Ill first need to build my platform for the trains, I have a tentative layout and need to do some major cleaning of track and switches.  Then I will need to know how to run 2 trains without them running into each other.    Thanks again   Ill check out these websites.   

[rtraincollector]

tony trains

I dug out my dads  lionel trains from the attic. 1945 - 1960.  Began to set things up.  Seems I need some parts like smoke pellets, 2 pin bulbs for 195 tower, 027 track and some other items.   Can you direct me as to some good sites to purchase from.   Thank You.   

okay you have a lot of avenues to choose one mail order you have jeff kane at the train tender www.ttender.com [e-mail]  contact charlesro there up in your area kinda also. 

www.charlesro.com Malden, MA. 

you have 3 trains shops listed for main one in cumberland, 207-829-3757

Saco 207-282-1112

york 207-363-4830

then for New Hampshire you have 2

Hampton Falls 603-929-1441

Nashua 603-791-0080

Not sure if any of the above are any help but theres a start for you.

 

[LL675]

welcome to the site!

Jeff at The Train Tender is great, Olsens has tons of parts. Both have websites.

[nickaix]

Don't neglect to do a little basic cleaning and lubrication! Trains that have sat a long time should not be run without it.  A keyword search will turn up plenty of threads on the topic. If you have specific questions about your specific trains, folks here are very knowledgeable and helpful.

[tony trains]

I live in Kittery, Maine not far from the New Hampshire border.  Portsmouth nh area

[Dobson]

The reason I ask your location is that all of the items you stated are pretty easy to find at most hobby shops.

 

[srguy]

Trainz sells the smoke pellets but I would go with JT Mega Steam fluid ... far mor effective and significantly less expensive.

Bulbs http://www.towncountryhobbies.com/   027 track is easy to find ... most hobby/train shops carry it but there are many sites that carry tubular track  www.train-station.com/

[Dobson]

where are you located?

[tony trains]

I dug out my dads  lionel trains from the attic. 1945 - 1960.  Began to set things up.  Seems I need some parts like smoke pellets, 2 pin bulbs for 195 tower, 027 track and some other items.   Can you direct me as to some good sites to purchase from.   Thank You.