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track

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  • Member since
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  • From: massachusetts
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track
Posted by joeytee on Thursday, January 21, 2010 3:03 PM

what brass track is compare-able with Lionel g scale track ??? thanks

  • Member since
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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:44 PM

OK, you gotta laugh here: NOTHING !!!

Luckily no one else makes track like it, it's hollow tubular brass track, I guess it's one step above the Bachmann steel track, that is likewise flimsy and it rusts to boot. Tubular track is cheap, but not sturdy.

I was in a train shop 2 days ago and a customer came in with some Lionel brass track, and the store people matched it up against some LGB, it looked close enough, but you have to pull the joiner pin out of the Lionel track, and cut the plastic away from the end of the rail.

Next you need a joiner, and I would look at the San-Val type, where there are 4 screw heads on a flat plate and the screw heads press down against the foot of the rail.

My guess is that clamps like Hillman and Split Jaw would crush the tubular Lionel rail.

The Aristo clamps might work, but you would have to check, since one side of the Aristo rail clamp is a "hook" that is part of the aluminum extrusion.

Regards, Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Arizona (high country 7k ft) USA
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Posted by Rex in Pinetop on Thursday, January 21, 2010 5:07 PM

How do you want to compare brass track manufacturers?

Color?

Ties?  Standard or narrow?

Size (332 or 250)?

Connectors?

Width?  G-Scale track is normally 45mm wide so all manufacturers should be close to this size.

Price?

Other features?

I have both Aristo and LGB.  The LGB ties are a different color and have lasted longer but both are good.  I have no experience with Lionel g scale track.  Bachmann track does not work outside plus I don't think there is any brass in it to start with.  USA, train.li, Pola, and LLagas are some other major track manufacturers.

I'm guessing you have a Lionel starter set and want to expand with more track???  Are you track powered or battery powered?  Are you sticking to sectional track or will you move towards bending your own to fit your layout in the future?

Rex

  • Member since
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  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Thursday, January 21, 2010 7:41 PM

Greg Elmassian
… My guess is that clamps like Hillman and Split Jaw would crush the tubular Lionel rail. … Regards, Greg

CONFIRMED: I had a sales clerk tell me different. I asked her to show me it would work. I stood there and watched as she just crushed the daylights out of the rail.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Thursday, January 21, 2010 8:11 PM

 That's funny as all getout! Did she realize and/or acknowledge she was destroying the rail, or was she living in sweet ignorance?

(your CONFIRMED reminds me of the mythbusters confirmed/busted verdict!)

 

Regards, Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
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  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Friday, January 22, 2010 1:52 AM
Greg Elmassian
  That's funny as all getout! Did she realize and/or acknowledge she was destroying the rail, or was she living in sweet ignorance?  (your CONFIRMED reminds me of the mythbusters confirmed/busted verdict!) Regards, Greg
 I believe her exact verbiage was “Ooops!”  The expression on her face was saying “Ahh do do” 

Yes, I’m glad you thought of it but in the immortal words of Adam Savage “Myth Confirmed”.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: S.Easton , Mass.
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Posted by smcgill on Friday, January 22, 2010 6:36 AM

 Welcome Joeytee

You could just start fresh with brass track.

Axel of Train-Li-USA is from Massachusetts also.

His web site :    https://www.train-li-usa.com/store/index.php

He does welcome visitors!

His track is of good quality and prices ( could start another thread) are O.K.

I have some of his track , My USA's track join's  with his "no problemo" .

Take a look @ this thread: http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/aff/17/aft/111145/afv/topic/Default.aspx

January 30th and 31st. in Springfield Mass.

 " THE big train show"  ALSO home to the" BIG E"

USA has a booth and sells track @ a good price  HINT : "cash"

Good luck and try to go to the show!

 

Mischief

  • Member since
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  • From: US
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Posted by Curmudgeon on Friday, January 22, 2010 3:51 PM

Actually, just about any 332 track is compatible with the Lionel.

LGB, USA, Arrrrgggghhhhhisto, but I wouldn't even bother with Botc......errrr.....Bachmann track.

When I started out 25 or so years ago in LS, I bought first LGB. Then, to expand (indoor, track power at the time), I bought Lionel LS track.

I still have the slip-joiners for the use of LGB with Lionel.

They kinda look like a stock brass slip joiner, except the vertical parts have a gap in the middle, both sides, so you can "tweak" them to hold slightly different profile rails.

 When I went outdoors, found out the brass pins in Lionel LS track were simply "0" steel pins plated brass, and they RUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!

 I gave up on track power of any sort, but put the 332 in the terminal building, and there is still a lot of Lionel in there.

Works just fine, just won't clamp, UNLESS you remove the rail, and fill the ends with solder, then re-asemble.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: US
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Posted by Curmudgeon on Friday, January 22, 2010 3:54 PM

This is a link to a picture of the joiners.

Surprisingly cheap, too.

 

http://www.trainz.com/images/Product/medium/101922.jpg

  • Member since
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  • From: massachusetts
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Posted by joeytee on Monday, January 25, 2010 1:49 PM

are you looking to get rid of any of that lionel track your not using ?? any switches your not using ??

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