Lionel "Super O" Track......5 Easy Pieces.................

[lionelsuperotrack]

If you have an interest in "Super O" trackage, read further. There are 5 quintessential works about "Super O" that are required reading for those of us interested in "the track"! This note compiles the 5 works in one place for reference:

1. Classic Toy Trains, in 2000, published "Lionel Display Layouts You
Can Build". The beauty of these small to medium sized dealer display
layouts is that they are 4'x8', 5'x9' and 8'x8' and most of us can
find enough space for one of these layouts. They are clever and
classic postwar in design. There are 8 "Super-O" layouts and 12
layouts using 027 and O gauge. Some very nice color shots that are
sure to tantalize us tinplaters. Also included are wiring diagrams
and necessary layout components. Also included in this 95 page book
are some excellent stories about those who build these layouts,
construction tips and much more. Strongly suggest that you get this
book from your favorite source. It lists for $16.95

2. Rudley's Track Layouts for Lionel "Super-0" is a 24 page booklet
put together by Joe Rudley in 1962. Joe was a Lionel dealer of note
and also owner of the Sarasota Seashell and Train Museum in Florida.
It was sold years ago and its contents (trains only I presume) were
in Richard Kughn's Carail buildings. The reason Joe put this booklet
together is that there were no plans for "Super-O" Layouts available
at that time. Originally the booklet sold for $.39 but it goes for
considerably more when it can be found. It has about 18 pages (30
layouts) including suggested scenic treatment, necessary components
as well as sections on Scenery, Accessories (Mr. Rudley designed
the portals for Lionel) and wiring. Some exquisite large layouts as
well as many medium sized layouts. Another don't miss. Be patient and
I am sure you will find one. You can still find Joe Rudley at York.

3. Classic Toy Trains (CTT) has a superb article about Lionel "Super-
O" Track in the November 1997 issue. About 6 pages as I recall. I
don't have it handy as I pen this note but there are color
pictures and if I recall a very nice spread on the Lionel Showroom
layout of 1957. Suggest you dig this out of your archives or call
Classic Toy Train and request a copy.

4. Next is the Historical Perspective of "Super-O". Historical
background, specific information about the track system, years it was
catalogued and many other interesting topics such as wide
radius "Super-O", such as 54", 72" and 96" radius, track planning
software and component track sections and numbers of all "Super-O".
I am certain most of you have read its "unforgetable contents"!<G>

5. One of the essentials in working with "Super-0" are the operating
instruction sheets. The "Grand Daddy" of all the sheets is the:
How To Assemble Lionel "Super-0" Track pamphlet.

This is an overall representation of many situations that you will
find with "Super-O" Track. Specific areas it covers are: Assembly,
Electrical Connections (#43 and #61 + #62), #37 Uncoupling Track
Units, #36 Remote Control Blades, #48 straight & #49 curved Insulated
Track Sections, #38 Accessory Track Adaptors, Transition Pieces
for "O" and "027" Track.

Within each category is a detailed account of the subject. Most
frequently with pictures, explanations and "how to" use data. I have
never counted the variations of this popular instruction sheet but
there must be 5 or 6 versions. The one I am looking at this moment is
the first that came out in 1957 and the number is 39-2. One could
really have a nice hobby just collecting the different "Super-0"
instruction sheets as there certainly are variations. Of top
importance is they ARE NOT expensive.


If anyone else has other can't miss information a copy would be most
assuredly appreciated to be shared with the group.

Season's Best to All,

Mike ([e-mail])

The History of Lionel "Super O" Track
( http://www.tcamembers.org/articles/operating/supero/index.html )

Lionel_SuperO_Track Yahoo Group
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_SuperO_Track/ )