More on Standard Gauge

[SotaPop]

Has anyone ever worked with Gargraves 5-railed track?  The outter 2 rails are for standard gauge engines and the next inner 2 rails are for O-gauge and they share the center rail.  This seems to be a nice alternative to having 2 separate layouts for your O-guage and Standard guage trains.

... anyone out there worked with this track before?

[Fred Bear]

Thanks to all that responded, and the MTH tinplate stuff does offer a good alternative. Thanks again, Jake

[phillyreading]

From what I know about track I would suggest using Lionel or MTH tubalar track and not GarGraves as GarGraves will give way after a derailment happens, I had this happen to me and that is why I say use a more solid track even thoe it may not look as good.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

"I think an MTH 4000 would be able to power these adequately, though it is true that standard gauge likes lots of volts-like old transformers had. Then again, lots of new reproduction MTH trains have Protosound 2 and modern motors."
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A Z4000 (MTH) or ZW (Lionel), provides ample power for most Standard Gauge trains, especially the can-motor equipped contemporary models of these trains.  I use Z1000s to power my Standard Gauge layout (admittedly a small pike), and they do just fine.

[prewardude]

If you really want to get into tinplate, but don't want to go for Standard gauge, MTH is also making O gauge tinplate reproductions. One word of caution: if you do want to try out the O gauge reproductions, it would probably be best to run them with traditional Lionel O gauge tubular track; not all of the new track systems are compatible with these prewar-style trains (usually because of the flange depth).

You can view MTH's latest tinplate catalog here.

Lionel also has a tinplate O gauge set in their latest catalog, which can be found here.

Regards
Clint

[Fred Bear]

I have so much going on and a limited space, I'll stick with 0 gauge, just wondered if the standard would run on O, it would have been tempting if it would have. Glad you a'll answered my question though, as I could have bought items that I really could not have used. Thanks to all that responded, much appreciated, Jake

[BlackJack]

Definitely look at the mth-railking.com website for ideas. MTH really has revived standard gauge.  Standard gauge is pretty big, even in relation to O gauge. I think an MTH 4000 would be able to power these adequately, though it is true that standard gauge likes lots of volts-like old transformers had. Then again, lots of new reproduction MTH trains have Protosound 2 and modern motors.

MTH would be a great source for track. Other manufactures do make track also however, some in very wide radius.

Supply and demand are probably tighter in standard gauge- they have smaller production runs. I think the recent release of the  400e is hard to find.

[Anonymous]

As was noted, Standard Gauge track components (and switches) are rather readily available from any dealer who sells Standard Gauge trains (most of which come from MTH these days).

The 400E and all Standard Gauge locomotives and rolling stock require Standard Gauge track, which is considerably larger and wider than O gauge track.

Do get yourself some track, because once you get those Standard Gauge trains up and running you'll never look back.  It's like a contagious disease or a severe addiction--of the best type possible!

[3railguy]

Also realize standard gauge needs higher voltage and draws a lot of amperage. You'll need a transformer that puts out around 22 to 24 volts max such as a prewar V.

[chuck]

Standard Gauge trains run on standard gauge track.  You can find it at most train shows and the MTH dealers that carry the TinPlate Traditions carry the track as well.

[Fred Bear]

Boy I hate to seem ignorant, but my thick skull won't allow me to see what's obvious to most of you. Please be patient, as I'm fairly new.

What track does one buy for standard guage? and what can it be obtained? Thanks much, Jerry Also let me ask this, from what I've gathered, the 400E will not run on O gauge track?