Scientific & Lionel G gauge?

[hoofe116]

I've been looking in eBay for cheap stuff. I see bunches of new boxed stuff priced at about $25 for the set. Is this stuff really G gauge, or is it those Chinese-made Christmas tree sets? Also, something called Scientific Toys made/makes Lionel G gauge? I didn't know Lionel had a 'real' G gauge offering. By real, I mean 45mm track.

Les Whitaker

[vsmith]

Yeap there G and yes, battery powered, Christmas tree, and Chinese made, what do you expect for $25?

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I have some stuff from both, I have them so my grandneice and grandnephew had something to mess with on visits.

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I have used the Scientific stuff for rolling stock after changing out the trucks and couplers.

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The Lionel stuff was made by license by Scientific. Didnt sell well. The Scientific stuff is by far the best looking of the El Cheepo stuff, New Bright being the most horrible looking, but Echo is not far behing. They are ALL lousy runners, as they have no speed control an run at only one speed. They tend to derail at the slightest whime. I added tire wieghts to my Scientific loco and removed the pilot wheel , doesnt derail anymore.

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Lionel did sell its own line of track powered trains, but the battery stuff was all license. I will say that they are a real cheap way to get your foot in the G door without too much of an investment if your really cash strapped.

[underworld]

Many people use the Scientific stuff as a base for kitbashing/modifying. I'm sure it is worth the $25.

underworld

[hoofe116]

VSmith:

I'm gonna answer tongue-in-cheek. I say that up front because I'm not very adept with these smiley icons.

What do I expect for $25? As much as I can get away with.

I have pieces of a Chinese Xmas train somewhere. I just assumed it wouldn't run on a G gauge track, and since I have only one piece so far, an Aristo turnout procured last week, I hadn't connected the dots.

Cash strapped? Yup. But also cautious. I don't want to lay down a pile of money like I did some years ago for HO, only to find I needed binoculars to work on 'em, and switching operations were nigh impossible. So I sold it all and am still trying to forget.

Cheap way to get into G Gauge? Betcha that's what I'm after!

Also, I want to try my hand at scratchbuilding. For that I need cheap victims.

Anyway, thanks for setting me straight.

Les