STARTER SET UP Recommendation

[Hogjaw]

Have 6' x 8' heavy duty table finished.

Do not understand fully what is meant by 0 - 27, 0 - 36.

Some controllers have 40 wat, 3 amp, others say 80 watt - why the different?

Would really prefer Frisco Freight Train Set, O GAUGE.

Jimmy - The Natural State, Arkansas

[Anonymous]

The track size refers to the number of inches needed to make a circle...O36=36". For your 6' deep layout, your outside loop of track could be O60 (and still leave room along the edge), and inner loops could be O48, O36, for example. O27 also refers to the type of track...a bit lower to the ground, less sturdy construction, etc.
A "starter set" usually comes with its own transformer.
Pick the set you like best. The nice thing about "O" is that there are no "junk/poor running" "starter" trains like you can find in "HO" or "N". Joe

[jimhaleyscomet]

Hogjaw,

A longer more complete explanation is covered in the first few pages of the Lionel catalog. A visit to a local hobby shop should help tremendously.

Jim H

[Birds]

As mentioned earlier, O-27 is lower and has brown ties. The curves come in 27", 42", and 54" diameters. The straights are 8.75" long. The switches are made with either a 27" diameter turnout, or a 42" diameter turnout.

O guage tubular has black ties. The curves come in 31", 42", 54", and 72" diameters. The straights are 10" long. The switches are made with either a 31" diameter turnout, or a 72" diameter turnout.

Certain size engines require certain size curves.

O-27 = 27" curves
O-31 = 31" curves
O-42 = 42" cuves
and so on...

Look at the back of a Lionel catalog to see examples of the different track styles, radiuses (radii?) available, and cost.

A good dealer should be willing two swap the track that comes in a starter set for something else if the starter set does not have the track you would like.

One thing about O-27 track (tubular track with brown ties) is that it is the least expensive, and has the smallest straights and tightest curves. This means that per square foot of board space, you can get more O-27 track in than you could with O (tubular with black ties) or FastTrack.

The trade off with O-27 is that the bigger engines will not negotiate Lionel O-27 switches. But "SpankyBird" has shown on his layout that these large engines will negotiate K-Line switches.

A possible hitch with that solution is that Lionel will be taking over K-Line, and it is not know if the K-Line O-27 switches will continue or not.

Transformers are rated in watts and amp - the available power output. Engines and accessories draw various amounts, so the transformer wattage and amperage gives one an idea of what type, and how much equipment it can power.

The old starter sets come with a small 40-50 watt transformer. Newer sets come with a Lionel CW-80 rated at 80 watts.

An O-27 steamer may use 35 watts and draw a current of 2.5 amps. So that 40 watt 3 amp starter transformer doesn't have much left over for switches and accessories.

Most people seem to agree that the 80 watt Lionel CW-80 that comes with starter sets can cause/have problems.

The MRC Pure Power (135 watt output, pure sine wave) might be a good substitution. That is very close to the available useable power of an old Lionel KW (about 140 watt output)). I have an old KW and can run two train at the same time off of one controller.

Ask you dealer what he would recommend as an alternate power supply, and see if he would be willing to keep the CW-80 and let you pay the difference between a new CW-80 and something like the MRC Pure Power.

Enjoy,
Birds

[lionelsoni]

You can get O27-profile track in 27, 34, 42, 54 and 72-inch nominal diameters, measured to the ends of the ties. Fast Track diameter is measured to the center rail.

[Anonymous]

Atlas has track diagrams for various sized layouts that are very helpful to the beginner.

[jefelectric]

If you don't have a Lionel catalog, here is a link to the online catalog. The first few pages give you a lot of info.

http://www.lionel.com/

Check out Atlas track for a layout this size of the one you are planing.

http://www.atlaso.com/O%203Rail%20NS%20web/index.htm