I was just asking RT, I have never seen anything but what I posted as far as Marx track but I don't know the whole history of this stuff. And your right I have got some very good deals on the bay for track but like they say you got to know what your looking at.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Kevin your probably right I probably had a brain melt down and was thinking of some other brand but still bottom line their is a lot of great track at very good deals on EBay if you look
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Buckeye Riveter Back to that noise issue.............I use rubber ballast from Scenic Express and it really cuts the noise.
Back to that noise issue.............I use rubber ballast from Scenic Express and it really cuts the noise.
Buckeye do you have part numbers for that? do you have to cut it to size for the different radius curves?
RT, I have some Marx track and it is O27 and O34 what they called wide radius but it is all at O27 profile. I have one half curve of the O34 on my layout. Did Marx make O profile O31 too??? If so I have never seen that not to say they did not make something I have not seen.
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
Me if they don't show pics of every thing I don't buy but Marx curves where O31 anyway and suggesting O guage railroad forum could be considered advertising for them personally I don't like that forum to snobby for me. and I normally didn't post just read so it wasn't aimed at me.
I find Ebay 95% or better a decent deal
Andrew Falconer A Lionel TMCC Base with a Track Power Controller/TPC electronics module will allow you control Proto.Sounds locomotives from MTH in conventional mode, as a basic command control feature.
A Lionel TMCC Base with a Track Power Controller/TPC electronics module will allow you control Proto.Sounds locomotives from MTH in conventional mode, as a basic command control feature.
I am certain you can run MTH in conventional mode without a TMCC Base and TPC unit. All you need is a transformer. (What we do at Christmas around the tree.)
Don
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
The track layout needs to be located on benchwork and/or modules placed around the wall.
The outside curve sections can be O-84. The inside curve sections can be O-72.
All of the switches should be O-72. A few spurs and sidings can be placed along the straight tracks.
I would like to recommend using Atlas track for realistic appearance, Gargraves is also a great track to use with Ross switches. Don't cram too many accessories into your layout,leave spaces for sidings and scenery. Ebay is a great place to buy track for your layout. Mike
Everyone has their opinions, and it is important that opinion being identified as that and not fact, especially for the benefit of the inexperienced.
I sure do not want to overwhelm anyone and try to make the basic question more difficult than it needs be. But I have to add....
Before you start cutting wood I would suggest making a simple list of "Goals". What would you like your layout to do. I suggest listing everything you can think of, then start making choices and prioritize. For example for some of us, not having a "duck under" can be critical. Or, wanting to reverse directions of trains. Running multiple trains at the same time, in opposite directions. What is the minimum radius your existing equipment requires. What time of operation you want back and forth, continuous, etc.
The most intense and biggest arguments that occur is based upon MTH or Lionel. And is justifiably so! In my OPINION I prefer MTH. That being said I have MTH, DCS, Lionel TMCC and Legacy. The majority of my time is with DCS, because I like all the features it offers. (My layout is powered by Lionel Xfmrs however). The best thing you can do is to go to a hobby store and try to compare apples to apples. Train sets of similar prices.
Regarding compatibility
If you want to run Conventional Mode, they are all compatible. Just get some track, a transformer, and go.
Now if you want to take advantage of the command control capabilities more caution needs to be executed.
MTH DCS will work with MTH PS2 and PS3 equipped engines. IT WILL NOT WORK WITH MTH PS1. The DCS system WILL operate Lionels TMCC and Legacy engines. The features that DCS wil NOT control are a relatively few. (Scrolling Whistle, Vibrating Hand Remote, and maybe a few others that I can't think of) The DCS will control all accessories and switch operations. Regardless of manufacturers. Both MTH and Lionel have control units that have to be bought to control the switches and accessories. (MTH's AIU $89-99, controls 10 acc and 10 switches. Lionel's SCC $99-119, controls 4 acc and 4 switches, OR 6 switches.
Lionel TMCC or Legacy, will not CONTROL MTH engines, (other than in conventional mode, NO command control what so ever.
Track - Fastrack is very popular. However, try looking at Gargraves or Ross. Ross offers a very large assortment of switchtes and (Opinion) are more realistic looking and less expensive. The additional switch assortment is very beneficial in smaller areas especially the 11 degree. Ross can be hooked up to Legacy or DCS control very easy.
Equipment - OPINION I have some of the "top of the line" MTH and Lionel engines, I feel the "bang for the buck" is better with MTH. AGAIN OPINION !!! (I have a MTH Rail King Big Boy PS2, and a Lionel Scale Big Boy Legacy. $1,000 difference in price.
You are setting out on a great adventure, you CAN'T go wrong ! AND YOUR opinion is the one that matters. ENJOY !!!!!"
Try to clear up a bit of mis-information here.1. You CAN control a PS2/PS3 MTH engine with a Legacy Controller - you will NOT get the 'full PS3 experience' as you would if you had the MTH DCS components and controller. You CAN control a Lionel TMCC or Legacy engine using the MTC DCS system, you just won't get the 'full Legacy experience'. You CAN have both MTH DCS and Lionel Legacy systems connected to the same layout.2. Track Noise - we've been through this a 1,000,000 times on this forum. Track noise depends on a myriad of items. What is used for the subroad base? Are you using ceiling tiles or sound stop or another form of sound deadening material under your track? Do NOT screw the track to the plywood under layment - secure it to the ceiling tile, sound stop, foam board, etc. The screws transfer the vibration to the plywood which acts like a drum. Is your rolling stock hollow? Covered Hoppers and open well boxcars will result in louder road noise than hoppers or boxcars filled with batting (filler used for making fluffy pillows), or passenger cars. It is actually the rolling stock that is responsible for the greatest volume regarding track noise.If you are planning on running the Legacy Control System (LCS), FasTrack is the BEST track system to use. It will allow you to get up and running quickly and the new switches come with LCS built-in making very easy to add them to the control system.
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
Challenger, try using the "Ordered" or "Unordered" list functions. They should override any condensing and compressing the program does automatically.
Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I have a different point of view about running big trains. I enjoy the challenge of operating stuff on O27 that was never meant to be there. I have adapted a Rail King Big Boy, a 773 Hudson, Superliners, 15-inch 2500-type cars, 16-wheel flatcars, and a Trainmaster to O27. An around-the-walls layout tends to lessen the visual effect of the overhang, as you generally see the trains from the inside of the curves. I also use spiral curves, as mentioned above. In addition to giving the illusion that the curves are gentler than they really are, they let you put track closer to the wall by easing the big models away from the layout edge before they encounter the sharpest part of the curve.
Bob Nelson
Welcome to the forum, CO. What has already been said is good advice. I'd like to add a few details pertaining to layout design.
The noisy aspect of track with integral roadbed is a valid annoyance. It might seem a minor issue now but just wait until you're up and running trains. The sophisticated sound systems these new engines have can only be fully appreciated when running is quiet. Even solid rail and insulated roadbed can set up more noise than one would like so planning everything you can to keep things quiet pays off later.
The unrealistic look of large engines negotiating curves is a personal pet peeve of mine. As mentioned before you'll be needing large turning circles anyway for articulated engines but designing for maximum size curves at the expense of maximum trackage is probably a prudent way to go. Large numbered switches helps with smooth operation too. Integrating smaller spurs that utilize tighter radius switches where only switchers live can fill open real estate along side your mainlines.
If at all possible, plan to have your minimum sized curves within mountains or behind scenery so that the awkward look of articulated engine overhang is hidden. Ideally, use easements into curves so that the transition into the turns can be taken at speed gracefully. The sweeping aspect of a parabolic curve is far more realistic than a strict radius.
If I've read you correctly in the type of layout you're planning then hopefully some of these hints help. Also, if you do follow some of my suggestions then using Atlas of Gar Graves flexible track will go a long way in fascilitating those goals.
Bruce
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Good advice from Becky and rrtraincollector. All I can add is buy the best you can afford, it's hard to go wrong that way.
And as far as building a layout, just do it. It takes on a life of it's own. I'd also say get the trains up and running as soon as you can, you'll feel better about it. The scenicking and other fill-ins can come later. You see, in my mind, the layout is the stage and the trains are the actors. Good actors can give a great performance on a bare stage, but a fully dressed stage is nothing without the actors.
Go on with what Becky has saying the main question is what type of track are you planning to use there is plenty different type out there. the original O, O-27, Fastrack , MTH Realtrack , Gargraves (which I like) and others.
I know most do a O-72 and I think some do a O-84 but gargraves does O-72, O-80,O-96,O-106,O-113,O-120, O-128 and even O-138 which would fit in your 12 foot wide area for your articulated steam engine. I have a 8' x 16' layout and I use O-72 on my outside loop. befor you decide on a track though I would also look at things like switches and try and figure how much track you will need. I personnally do not care for Lionel Fastrack or MTH Realtrack as both have a hollow base and can add to the noise you will already have. Lots to think about before moving forward installing insulation under track so it doesn't make so much noise, I'm sure you probably thought of all this or most of it but just giving you some things to think about.
Welcome aboard!
With an engine that size, curvature will be your biggest issue. Most O scale articulateds need O72 minimum. Of course, the larger the turning radius, the more realistic your trains will look. So it's not all bad. An O72 curve will take up a 6 foot circle for starters. O84 would probably look better and minimize the possibility of the pilot sideswiping cars, signals, structures, etc. as it articulates. 16 by 12 will be enough to give you a running track for an allegheny but few sidings it could negotiate.
However, 16 by 12 is more than enough real estate to build a decent O gauge layout using O31 curves. If you limit the allegheny to a dedicated running track, you could use all manner of smaller engines to service industries, yards, etc. inside that giant oval. Then you swing the cars up onto the main for the big power to pick up. Also, you could use drawbridges, lift out bridges or just duck-under to access the inner lines. Make a donut with arms inside the hole. Sort of like an underlined M.
Hi all. I am getting ready to dive into model trains as a hobby, something I have always wanted to do. My goal is to build a C & O model with a Allegheny 2-6-6-6 as well as some other late model C & O steam engines. Any and all feedback is welcome. My main questions are what would be the minimum recommendation for area and if if a 16' x 12' foot area would be sufficient. Also any input on favored manufacture or retailers to acquire trains and modelling items. Thanks in advance.
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