Hi, I'm a newbie. Last year Santa brought my two sons (ages 3.5 and 6) a Lionel Santa's Flyer HO Fastrack set. The boys love it. We just have the basic oval and they have asked for more track pieces. They have loved their wooden Thomas train for years and have built some amazing layouts, but they are outgrowing it. I'm glad to have another option for them.
Santa just found a super deal on a second Lionel FasTrack starter set (a baseball themed set, for our hometown team, from amazon). It was actually cheaper to buy the entire second starter set, than to buy the track pieces individually, and now we have an extra train and extra transformer too.
So now we have some newbie questions:
1. If we combine the two sets and make a giant oval or other closed loop shape, will one MD-80 power supply be sufficient? If not, do we just add the second transformer to the layout and turn them both on?
2. Our space is small so we'd like to get an intersection piece and/or a LH/RH pair of switches and/or a single switch to enable us to create a more interesting layout within our limited space. In your opinion, which one or two specialty items (switch and/or intersection) offers the most flexibility to expand and create different options?
3. If we get one switch or a pair of switches, do we need any other specialty pieces to make them fit into a layout? I have been looking at Ebay and it seems many switch pieces also come with a 1/4 curve piece. Is this 1/4 curve piece essential to fitting a switch into a layout?
Thanks for any advice you can provide. I did try to search for answers to these questions but didn't have much luck, but I am new to this site so if you prefer, please feel free to point me in the right direction to find these answers.
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
ypp Hello and welcome Newbie. Glad to help. 1. If we combine the two sets and make a giant oval or other closed loop shape, will one MD-80 power supply be sufficient? If not, do we just add the second transformer to the layout and turn them both on? The MD-80 has enough power for one train. However if you build a large oval you will notice a power drop-off farthest away from the power connection. The best way to handle power loss on a large layout is to provide multiple power connections. For best results you should apply power every 5-10 feet of track. 2. Our space is small so we'd like to get an intersection piece and/or a LH/RH pair of switches and/or a single switch to enable us to create a more interesting layout within our limited space. In your opinion, which one or two specialty items (switch and/or intersection) offers the most flexibility to expand and create different options? I think you will have the most fun with a pair of switches. 3. If we get one switch or a pair of switches, do we need any other specialty pieces to make them fit into a layout? I have been looking at Ebay and it seems many switch pieces also come with a 1/4 curve piece. Is this 1/4 curve piece essential to fitting a switch into a layout? Right. It doesn't always work out perfectly. There is layout planning software you can use. I have a shareware program called AnyRail. Our host here at CTT magazine offers a selection of layout planning books that will help you get started. CTT magazine offers layout ideas every month that usually include a sample layout plan and a list of track pieces to buy.There is also the good old trial an error method of layout construction. Thanks for any advice you can provide. I did try to search for answers to these questions but didn't have much luck, but I am new to this site so if you prefer, please feel free to point me in the right direction to find these answers. Welcome to the group. If your fortunate to have a local hobby shop that sells Lionel trains go check 'em out for lots of ideas. Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Hello and welcome Newbie. Glad to help.
The MD-80 has enough power for one train. However if you build a large oval you will notice a power drop-off farthest away from the power connection. The best way to handle power loss on a large layout is to provide multiple power connections. For best results you should apply power every 5-10 feet of track.
2. Our space is small so we'd like to get an intersection piece and/or a LH/RH pair of switches and/or a single switch to enable us to create a more interesting layout within our limited space. In your opinion, which one or two specialty items (switch and/or intersection) offers the most flexibility to expand and create different options? I think you will have the most fun with a pair of switches.
Right. It doesn't always work out perfectly. There is layout planning software you can use. I have a shareware program called AnyRail. Our host here at CTT magazine offers a selection of layout planning books that will help you get started. CTT magazine offers layout ideas every month that usually include a sample layout plan and a list of track pieces to buy.There is also the good old trial an error method of layout construction.
Thanks for any advice you can provide. I did try to search for answers to these questions but didn't have much luck, but I am new to this site so if you prefer, please feel free to point me in the right direction to find these answers. Welcome to the group. If your fortunate to have a local hobby shop that sells Lionel trains go check 'em out for lots of ideas.
Welcome and Big Al's advice is great, but I want to add one more thing. If you are a subscriber to CTT, in the Subscriber Extra tab there are several free track plans. Here is what it looks like:
Your boys might like the mag because it has tons of photos of trains. My grandson likes to look at the Lionel Catalogs and pick out my birthday present.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Thank you both, very much. We are not currently subscribers to CTT (is it free, or is there a fee?) but I will check that out. My boys do get a train magazine from another source and love it; I'm sure they'd love a second one as well.
As for adding more power to the line... this is a total newbie question, but do we just add the piece of track that has the transformer connected to it, and turn the transformer on? (and locate that piece on the opposite side of the layout as the first transformer?) Boy-operated wooden trains are so much simpler.
We live in the Chicagoland area and do have several train shops nearby; my husband was planning to stop at one and chat with someone there, so we'll certainly do that, too. Not sure we'll be there before Christmas, though, and I don't want to mess up the layout or the system by doing the wrong thing. Thanks so much!
In this age of videos, I'm going to suggest you start by looking at these two videos:
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Ow52I1cEtqk - This is a first in a series of videos produced by Lionel.
YouTube has more. Lionel has a phone number to call in their video, too.
Of course you can check out my videos, too. Link below.
ypp As for adding more power to the line... this is a total newbie question, but do we just add the piece of track that has the transformer connected to it, and turn the transformer on? (and locate that piece on the opposite side of the layout as the first transformer?) Boy-operated wooden trains are so much simpler.
One loop = one transformer
Two seperate loops = two transformers
Three separate loops = three transformers
There are other ways to wire, but let's start simple.
YPP, If you can get there go visit Tony and the gang at America's Best Hobby in Itasca. The are probably the best hobby shop in our region with everything you'll ever need from trains & track to great advice.
http://www.americasbesttrain.com/
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