Well I finally sold my n scale [due to bad eyesight] & I got the benchwork finished,laid the roadbed,got the manual switches & flex track down and ballasted. Today I put the grass down,next week the trees & bushes. Next I did the wiring, could not decide so I finally went with the legacy system & the dcs system since I like lionel & mth engines. My layout is about 24 feet by 16 feet in a return dogbone around the wall. The only engines I have so far is a mth premier geep unit & a lionel legacy geep. I only had room for 54 inch curves. Because I am modeling scale 3 rail I have a lot to learn. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I have been in the hobby for over 50 years (ho & n). Thanks.
For a large layout I would use GarGrave track. For a smaller layout Lionel's fastrac is a good choice, it's one bad feature is the roadbed is hollow and noisy. TMCC/Legacy will run every brand of engine but MTH. Some choose only one system, some choose both. Good luck have fun.
S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thanks for the advice & info. I did use gargraves flex track & switches. Im trying to build hills around the curves to help hide the swinging pilots on the geeps. Does anyone make a inexpensive,realistic steamer with decent sound?
Welcome to O Gauge on the steamer depends on what you concider inexpensive to me the answer is no, now with that said if you have one without sound there are companies out there that sell just the sound system for you one which comes to mind which I use for Command also is Electric rail road www.electricrr.com they have all kinds of goodies for you.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Thanks, with cost in mind & scale size & good details, would you do with Lionel,Mth or Williams?
Honestly, this is probably biased, but I would say Lionel. The detail will be about as present in all makers, but the lightly used Lionel is cheaper I think
Thanks again.
Good morning. I have engines from Lionel, MTH and Williams. Williams is less expensive or used to be before Bachmann jacking up prices this year. I would go with MTH as they have very good quality at an affordable price. The only bad thing about MTH is their command control system don't work with any Lionel system, you must have the DCS system to use MTH command control. Lionel is good if you can afford them, I just looked at the new catalog prices and got major sticker shock!
Honestly, it depends on if you use a command control system or go used. Lionel is cheaper if you don't use a CCS, and if you go with slightly used equipment, but otherwise I have no clue.
I've got engines from Lionel, MTH, Williams, and RMT. All are pretty darn good in my opinion.
As I've got a small 4X8 layout I don't bother with TMCC or DCS, I don't see the need for them in my case so those features don't enter into the purchasing and operating equation. I run conventional and they all work well for that.
As the prices seem to be dropping for post-war to 1980's era Lionels (unless they're mint condition collectables) you may want to have a look at those. Most train shows have tables full of them so selection's pretty good and the prices reflect that. They won't do all the things the current production engines do but they're simple to maintain and darn near bulletproof. I've puchased three within the past year and love 'em!
With what the others have said Here's an idea to look at. Find a engine tha runs fine and you like. ( steam you can easily repaint) Most don't have but one color Black. you can add TMCC or DCS I believe you can get Proto 2 and 3 upgrade kits install in tender and run teather to engine. If you want command. one way to look is goto ebay goto Oguage trains click on locomotives click on steam set the search for lowest price + shipping first or just run it as is ending first and go thru until you find engine you like and price you like.
Let me add an addendum to what rrtraincollector's said...
Certainly once you buy an old Lionel steamer, it's yours, and you can do what you want with it, but do your homework before you repaint.
An example: Not too long ago I was at a trainshow and lucked into a Lionel 2056 Hudson, got a good deal on it and it runs great. Interestingly this model was made by Lionel for only one year, 1952 I believe. This makes it an uncommon unit and in my opinion it shouldn't be altered. I'm leaving this one and it's "Lionel Lines" tender alone. Sure, it needs a little touching up but that's as far as I'm going with it.
Don't know why Lionel only made it for one year, it's a great puller! Could darn near pull tree stumps out of the ground!
The more common models with long production runs, OK, anything goes as far as I'm concerned. Like I said, do your research and look before you leap as far as repainting goes.
I agree with Firelock there 100% but with that said I wouldn't convert it to TMCC or DCS either in my opion I'm talking ones that either very low collector value ie they made thousands of or just beyound collectability because of condition and also need to add sugest taking down to bare metal before repainting also as to have a nice smooth paint job.
Welcome to the "O" world. Having been in "HO" over fifty years myself and with "older" eyes and unsteady hands, I've become addicted to the bigger stuff.
The size of your layout (wow!) will let you do a lot.
One thing I soon discovered when I left "HO" was that, along with the larger items, came larger prices. (But, then, it is a hobby!)
Sounds like you are well on your way in the building process. I would only suggest, having been there, to slow down and not rush into the rolling stock purchases. There's always time.
Keep asking for opinions from these great guys and gals. Wish you all the best.
One more thing.....Love to see some progress pictures.
The Lionel 2056 Hudson was made during the Korean War, when certain materials were hard to get. It is a 2046 without Magne-Traction. Still a great engine. Well, now, I just checked my 2056, and the drivers DO show some magnetism.
Probably early production ,when some Alnico (that's what its called, right?) would have been left as residue from the previous yrs stock. Just gotta love classic 4-6-4's.
bridgeengineer The Lionel 2056 Hudson was made during the Korean War, when certain materials were hard to get. It is a 2046 without Magne-Traction. Still a great engine. Well, now, I just checked my 2056, and the drivers DO show some magnetism.
Interesting. If the monsoon ever stops here I'll run out to the Chugger Barn and check those drivers on my 2056 for any magnetism.
Mind you, Magne-Traction doesn't make a difference on my layout, I used MTH "Realtrax," the nickle-silver stuff.
Those old Lionels DO seem to have the effect of polishing the rails, however.
I have the 2055 which does have magna traction and is a very good runner. its basically the same but with magnatraction I wonder if at some time if your wheels/axles might of been switched out or the shells where switched if yours has magna-traction
OK, checked the 2056 and no Magne-Traction. It doesn't need it anyway, the thing's a bruiser! Slightly bigger and heavier than the 2055 I've got. I'll have to check the 2055 for magnetism now as well.
Maybe that's why Lionel only made the 2056 for one year? They figured maybe it was just a little too big?
Firelock76 OK, checked the 2056 and no Magne-Traction. It doesn't need it anyway, the thing's a bruiser! Slightly bigger and heavier than the 2055 I've got. I'll have to check the 2055 for magnetism now as well. Maybe that's why Lionel only made the 2056 for one year? They figured maybe it was just a little too big?
No, the engine was catalogued for only 1 yr bc Lionel needed a stopgap for during the Korean War that they could charge what they wanted for.
Man, if that thing was a stop-gap they could have done a helluva lot worse!
Lesson here, boys and girls, is don't pass up any train shows in your area. You never know what you might find!
No kidding. Their mid level 027 engines are more than enough for me and my layout, cant even begin to imagine what the glory day, topotheline O gauge was like.
Firelock76 I'll have to check the 2055 for magnetism now as well.
I'll have to check the 2055 for magnetism now as well.
The 2055 should have Magne-Traction
http://www.tandem-associates.com/lionel/lionel_trains_2055_loco.htm
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
I'll be checkin' it KRM, I'll let everyone know tomorrow.
I like the older brass imports from Weaver. Made by Samhongsa, smooth and quiet running, not as detailed as newer imports and very affordable. The larger models need bigger curves, but the small engines, like a PRR H10 2-8-0 or G class 4-6-0 ect will take your curves. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
OK everyone, I've checked the 2055 Hudson I've got and there's no sign of Magne-Traction, no magnetism on the drivers at all. Maybe it's gone after 60-plus years, maybe it never had it to begin with.
Again, as my layout's got nickle-silver tracks it wouldn't have made any difference anyway. Good running engine nevertheless!
Now, the hunt for a 2046 begins...
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month