Good Place To Start

[Anonymous]

Years past I've run the Lionel passed down from my father. It's from the late '40s or early 50's and still runs well (does make a bit of an ozone smell though). I'm beginning to think that after 50 years use the ole' train should become an antique and let a younger train run around the tree.

I am looking for a good quality "around the Christmas Tree" train. Hopefully something in O or G. I'm afraid I'll step on new little HO running around the tree now.

I purchased a Bachmann Christmas set and I am a bit disappointed. I don't know what I was expecting for the price. It runs, but the quality is more Wal-Mart than I would like.

Are there any high quality sets, or do you have to purchase items separatley to get decent quality? It there is not a good set out there, which brand do you think I should favor. I'm not looking for flawless, minute detailing. I want something of good quality that will still be running in 50 years.

[wrmcclellan]

pilot dane,

There several directions you could go.

I suggest you go on line and look at K-Line, Lionel, MTH, and Williams. They all have their traditional products (details similar to 30-50 years ago) available and typically you can look at complete sets as a category.

www.lionel.com
www.k-linetrains.com
www.mth-railking.com
www.williamstrains.com (to my knowledge sets do not include track and transformers)

On-line catalogs have the prices so you can chose to your budget.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

So does that mean that the quality is about the same between all the manufacturers (for similartly priced items)?

[wrmcclellan]

Pilot,

Essentially yes. You will see a lot of opinions on the forums regarding this manufacturer or that. I am not biased towards one over the other when it comes to the basic product (I do get a bit biased when it comes to TMCC vs DCS remote command control systems). I own products from all the manufacturers except 3rd Rail. At the end of the day - they are all quite comparable in quality. Pick something you will enjoy. If something goes wrong - all the manufacturers (or your local dealer/warranty station)will fix it.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

"I am looking for a good quality "around the Christmas Tree" train. Hopefully something in O or G. "
-------------------------

In G (Large Scale), which would be my first choice for an around-the-tree train, you cannot go wrong with an LGB starter set. They have many starter sets available, including Christmas-theme sets based on both U.S. and European prototypes. And, they offer a huge assortment of Christmas-theme cars and other items to complement/expand their basic sets. LGB sets are more expensive than comparable sets from Aristo-Craft, Bachmann, and others, but in all of model railroading--any scale--you would be hard-pressed to find more well-constructed, durable, and reliable trains. Properly cared for, they will most certainly outlast your lifetime, and probably that of your sons and grandsons.

[brianel027]

Pilot, I think the basic Lionel steam starter sets are decent value for the money such as the Pennsylvania Flyer Set. There's no command control, but the engine in that set is a decent value. I've had a couple for over 11 years and they're still running. I'm not wild over FasTrack, but for what you want, FasTrack will be perfect. The air whistle is still there and so is the smoke from the steamer, but now from smoke fluid instead of pills.

Lionel also makes a Christmas Set that is the same style of loco as the above mentioned set, but will be a little more money.

I don't think many of today's trains will still be running exactly as is 50 years from now, if for nothing else than the DC can motors now being used. These motors are fixed... they are replaced. But they can be replaced too.

These new sets will run smoother and quieter than the set you are running now.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the advice.

I took a look at the old train and it is a Lionel #1655 with a whistle tender, open top car, tank car, caboose, standard oval track and transformer. I assume they all came as a set. I'm amazed that it has survived and looks pretty good after being played with by three generations over the last 50 years.

[Dave Farquhar]

I agree with Brianel, the current production Lionel Berkshire is very smooth and exceptionally quiet. It's pretty loud on Fastrack, but when I put it on traditional tubular track it was much quieter than my vintage engines. The Fastrack looks good but it's loud.

I would take the 1655 down from the shelf and run it occasionally though, maybe for special occasions, just to keep it in working order. You're right, old Lionels are durable. My dad's 53-year-old Lionel 1110 tells a similar story.

[thor CNJ]

Buy an old Marx train set. They're fun!

[palallin]

FWIW, the train around my big tree this year is 75-80 years old and still running strong. Not to discourage you from buying more trains, but I wouldn't let age worry you!

[Anonymous]

Well, I got an LGB starter set (Christmas theme) and it arrived today. So far I am happy. This is much more what I was looking for to run around the tree. I love the train and its' G gauge.

I like the G gauge so much I'll probably put a permanant loop around my wife's old doll house. I think I'll look for another train for year round use and save the Christmas one for the holiday season.

[wrmcclellan]

Pilot,

Thanks for letting us know what you decided to do.

Enjoy your new train and have a great holiday season!

Regards,
Roy