027 Trolley and Trestle questions...

[cnw1995]

Fred offers a good suggestion for a steeper incline, especially if you run with trolley poles 'up' or out on MTH or Western Hobbycraft trollies. You'll need as much clearance as you can get.

[fwright]

The normal Lionel graduated trestle sets takes 12 pieces of track from top to bottom, and 12 more from bottom to top. The minimum O27 and O31 figure 8s use 8 sections from one end of the crossing to the other. O36 and O42 track use 11 sections or more (not sure about the straights at the end of the 270 degree curves).

You may be able to "cheat" by not using the higher trestles - check the vertical clearance your trolley requires. I believe the tallest trestle is 5.5 inches high.

Another possiblity is to build your own steeper incline. I saw a Lionel #60 go up a very steep grade at a display layout at Strasburg PA years ago as part of its normal operation. More than likely the MTH trolley will do the same, but it is not geared as low as the #60. Tests would be in order.

I agree, a trolley run really adds to a display. Good luck.

Fred W

[marmelmm]

Jeff: Thanks for the insight and the link. Will investigate further. :)

Allan: True for telling. Plus, one car makes an entire train, which cuts down on expenses. :D

VTY,

-MMM-

[Anonymous]

Can't help with the trestle questions 'cause I haven't used a set of those since I was a kid, but you can be sure the MTH trolleys, and other short-wheelbase trolleys, including most double-truck models and PCC cars will operate just fine on O27 curves.

Truth is, trolleys are about the only rail items that truly look good on sharp curves, since the prototypes also operated in that way.

[JeffPo]

marmelmm, I don't know for sure if the small figure 8 will be big enough. I think it will fit, but it might be kind of close. A remedy if it's too short, would be to just extend the loops out a bit (i.e. make them small ovals) with extra straights for each loop. In other words, have some extra straights on hand to make it longer if you need to.

I don't have a trestle for sale, but they can be had for about $20 bucks or so. Wholesale trains has a Lionel graduated trestle set for $17:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=3184

[marmelmm]

a) Yep. The lil' single truckers like 027 curves just fine.

b) The current layout is an 027 figure 8 with a 90 degree crossing and a couple of spurs off one end. See my previous postings. :D Don't wanna invest in Fastrack right now. :)

c) Thankee! The trolleys have been a hit with everyone who's seen 'em at my previous displays. ;D

-MMM-

[dwiemer]

Not to mess up the works, but will the MTH trolley work on O27 turns? If yours is like mine, it is a little bigger than most rolling stock and your clearance would have to be more. I don't have the O27 tressle set, but you may want to consider fastrack with a 45 degree cross over. Another idea to make it more interesting, you could add a 132 automatic stop station.
Good Luck, I applaud your idea to do a public display.
Dennis

[marmelmm]

Gonna be doing a display with the trolleys at Featherfest in Springdale, AR next weekend, and it occurs to me that having an elevated figure 8 would be nifty. Couple of questions before I go charging out in search of trestles:

1) How, exactly, do the trestles on, say, the 12754 set attach to the 027 track? There seems to be some sort of clip involved.

2) Is the minimum-sized 027 figure 8 (i.e. two 3/4 curves connected by straight track) large enough for a proper over and under? Grade doesn't seem to be an issue; the MTH car I tried should be able to handle that, as it chugged uphill on a test track consisting of 3 straight tracks supported at one end by the General baggage car from last week.

3) Assuming that the answer to 2) is yes, anyone here got an 027 trestle set they wanna get shut of and that they can ship to me by next Friday (6/9)?

I thank you and the trolleys thank you.

VTY,

-MMM-