just curious is lionel g scale brass track compatible with the common ones we use( ie.aristo craft, lgb) and so on. just wondering if it would connect together and work?
When I read about the evils of drinking I quit reading.
I have not seen Lionel's new Large scale track, but their track from their 1990s foray into Large scale had track pins that inserted into adjoining sections.
Bob Keller
If I can split clamp it together put it where it doesn't show . I need some more footage of track i dont care if its beautiful i can hide it
Grims If I can split clamp it together put it where it doesn't show . I need some more footage of track i dont care if its beautiful i can hide it
Not having seen any in person I should probably keep my mouth shut on this one, but here goes. I’ve spent about an hour “Googling” this track. Every thing I’ve seen talks about the rails as being “folded brass” or “tubular brass”. Both of these phrases tell me that it is still hollow, thus when it is clamped it could easily crush. The photos in these show, what I believe to be a built on slip-on rail connector that clips into the web of the rail, and not the foot of the rail as most others do. Nowhere could I find any mention of the rail being solid. I could not find any dimensions of the rail profile. I would suggest checking out your local stores and take a section of your rail for comparison. Here is hoping someone has seen it and can better answer.
Tom Trigg
well there lies the problem the nearest hobby store is 100 mi away and with gas prices the way they are i would have to take a second mortgage out with my truck to get there.
but if its not solid i dont want to try it
I too looked on line and could not find any thing that gave the spec's on lionel track. so buyer beware just because it says it's compatable don't mean it works well with other brands. BTW look on E(vel)-Bay .
Dave
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
Thanks dave
yeah thats (E-bay) where i found a bunch of lionel track cheap i just thought if i had to modify it a bit thats ok but if its hollow i dont dare trust it
The track is indeed hollow... the switches are solid.
regular clamp type joiners will crush the rail.
compatible? Not without some clever joining method.
Greg
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We have been given several G-scale train sets with either metal or plastic rail over the years, all from different manufacturers (New Bright, Lionel, and Keystone come to mind). The locomotives all ran on our club's G-scale track, so Lionel track is probably the same gauge.
Grims,
Assuming for the discussion that the Lionel track is this sheet formed brass track (similar design to the standard 'Lionel' trains we all had as kits), then Greg's comment on crushing is accurate. The way I see it the biggest obstacle is not the mechanical joint, but the electrical joint. So long as both brands of track are the same gauge mechanical alignment of the rails is relatively simple. My method for the mechanical joint would be to hard fix the last two ties in the Aristo/USA/whose ever brand in place. Align the Lionel for a perfect gauge alignment and fix the last couple of Lionel ties, leaving a dime thickness of clear air between the two brands of track. Electrical connection might be a bit more perplexing. If your soldering abilities are fair, solder a wire to the Lionel track (the thinner cross section should make this fairly easy). Get a 'Split Jaw' style rail clamp for the solid rail and make a good attachment with the wire to the rail clamp. The locos/rolling stock will not notice the gap and the wiring will take care of the electrical.
Good Luck!
Bob C.
The ties are most likely not UV protected, so indoor use only.
I have used the Bachmann hollow track indoors and found it solders real easy as do the joiners that come with this track.
Same can be true for the Lionel track if it indeed is folded brass, Bachmann looks more like steel, but as it solders, must be tin plate.
If my memory serves me right the hollow track is brass plated and will rust after use. this track is not recommended for use outside by Lionel. The cheap B-mann track is just as bad. try E-bay and remember BUYER BEWARE. ask questions of the seller such as type, condition and brand before you buy.
Dave, never bitten by bad sellers on E-Bay
I'll have to check it with a magnet next time I'm at the train shop... if it's merely plated, then ugh..
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