Good day one and all!!
I am hoping some people can give me some good direction as to what to do. I have always enjoyed Model Railroading as a child and now as a 41 year old man I am ready to dive back into it. I recently aquired my Fathers Lionel sets from when he was a child. These trains I am sure need to be cleaned and lubed before I could even think to run them because they have not been run in as long as I can remember. They are all in there original boxes which I am sure adds value to them. I am thinking of starting to erect a table for them in my basement but I need to some direction there as well. I live in Illinois if someone would like to give me some help as to how to get started so that my boys can appreciate these collectors items and put them to some actual use. I guess what I am asking is to see what should I do to get started in this project and if someone knows of some person that I can buy more track from if needed as well other stuff for my layout as well as re-furbish the engines into running condition again. Thank you in advance, your help is greatly appreciated.
In addition I have a old Spirit of 76, HO set in the original boxes if someone would be interested in purchasing it.
Many thanks again!!!
It sounds great that you want to get back into the hobby, especially with your boys. There are a number of posts on this forum regarding benchwork, wiring and scenery. You will need to make some decisions before you begin as to what you want. Things such as deciding if you want to use standard Lionel track or the newer track like Gargraves. You will want to decide if you are going to run just the convential type of trains or also get into the newer TMCC stuff.
I would suggest visiting a local train store or a local club if one is around. If you haven't already done so, subscribe to the CTT magazine. You can be as simple or as complicated as you want. The guys on this forum are able to answer any questions you have as you proceed. I have seen them help many folks through the building of their layouts.
Good luck!
TomS
Some of what you decide to do in terms of table size, etc. will depend on what type of track you end up using. These days there is a wide variety of track brands to choose from and it would probably be a worth while trip to track down a local hobby shop in the area to see some of the different types in person.
Classic Toy Trains (Kalmbach Publishing) has a number of article collections in PDF format that you can purchase and download. They cover scenery, wiring, layouts, etc. You can purchase and download them from here: http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/toy-trains-downloadable-articles-toy-train-layouts.html
In terms of building a table (benchwork). One good book is "How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork" by Linn H. Westcott. You might be able to find a copy at your local public library.
Layouts can be designed on a computer using software such as "RR-Track". A bundled version such as the "Tinplate Combo" gives you a wealth of track libraries from brands (so you can see how sizes and looks differ) and buildings/accessories to work with. This lets you come up with lots of variations quickly, view them in 3-D, add terrain, print a list of items needed, etc.
Most importantly - HAVE FUN!
Chris
To answer a few of your questions:
Where to buy track? Lionel is still making tubular track in both O and O-27 profiles. Williams is also producing O gauge tubular track. I would look for a Lionel dealer in your area to aquire more track. You can also clean your old track, I use scotch-brite pads, and always replace the pins. If you can afford it, I'd opt for new track. Lionel tubular track isn't all that expensive, and easier than cleaning old track. If your track isn't rusted, I'd clean it. If it is rusty, I wouldn't bother.
Re-furbishing the engines? If you are a little mechaniclly inclined, you can take the engine apart yourself in an orderly fashion, clean the parts ( I use alcohol), grease the gears, oil the axles, and put it back together. That will usually get it running again. If you have a hobby shop that sells trains in your area, you can probably take it to them and they can get it running again.
When I got back into the hobby, I found that books are the best resource I could find. Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains 1945-1969, is a great reference book, and can be purchased on Amazon.com. There have been a lot of books written on O-gauge trains, and you should be able to find most of them pretty easily.
The internet is also a good source of information. There are parts dealers you can order on-line from, (stan orr and tebolts come to mind, along with many others.), and many retailers have on-line sites that you can order track, or any other item, for that matter, from.
Lastly, this forum can help quite a bit. If you can post some of the numbers of the trains you own, some people here can talk you through the re-furbish process for your particular engine/s.
I'm admittedly a pushover for stories about Dad's trains.
Give them a good once over and run em like they were made to be run.
by the way, tubular track is the only way to fly.
I would certainly get a copy of "Greenberg's Guide to Lionel Trains 1945-1969" as mentioned above. It has plenty of information on servicing your equipment and trains, as well as how to connect/use the different items. Also, I would order the TM video on "Building an O Gauge Layout". You may want to check your local library as well as the books available by Kalmbach (the owners of CTT and this web site). Thor has a very good web site with plenty of information that should get you well on your way in this hobby.
Welcome and please check back often.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
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