Renewing interest in the hobby-O gauge Lionel

[yallaen]

While a kid, I had a double decker set-up of model railroad equipment: Top deck was HO, bottom deck was post-war Lionel O gauge. I lost interest and let it go...

Several years ago, I reclaimed all the stuff from my Dad's basement, intent on redoing a layout. Hard times forced me to get rid of some of the stuff, and a leaking roof ruined the rest [B)][xx(]

Due to my change in professions, I decided to get some model railroad equipment again for decoration and pleasure...although I skydive and that impacts on my costs for the model railroad lol..

I got some Lionel track off Ebay (is that a sin here?). I've been trying to bring myself up to speed on the latest information. I'll focus my O gauge questions here, and HO stuff in another topic.

1. Has anyone heard of a transformer called DGT Powermaster 7000? Pros/cons?

2. I'm partial to the older Lionel rolling stock, engines, etc. However, I saw something in the local hobbystore that looked like a remote control device. I know HO and N gauge have DCC..but does Lionel have something similar? I'm really looking for a cheap transformer to work one or two trains running around basement walls...about 15X20 room..just a couple tracks, maybe a small yard..nothing fancy. Needing opinions on size of transformer, etc.

3. What's a good way to remove the rust of some of the 3-rail trackage? Sandpaper I know is one...but anything new on the market?

4. The black plastic of the switch's base...what's a good way to clean it up? Toothbrush? Soapy water (ack! is that bad?), or some type of cleaner available?

I'm 39 years old, and just retired being a cop for 20 years lol..now I'm going into the railroad industry. NO, I didn't tell them that my playing with trains is why I wanted to become a conductor lol...

Looking forward to the comments and suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Yallaen, welcome back to the hobby!

There's another forum on the Model Railroader Forums list - called "Classic Toy Trains". That's where most of the 3-Rail O scale people hange out. You may good some good info here, but will get a lot more there.

This is probably the best place to hang out for your HO related stuff.

Welcome back, and enjoy! I'm also just getting back into the hobby after many years off.