Author Topic: Beginner newbie question! (Read 3503 times)

Gamera · « **on:** December 22, 2017, 08:05:27 am »

Hi all!Another newbie here; getting back into the model train scene after, oh, about 40 years. My dad and I had a Lionel set in the attic back in the late 70s. Those were good times. My father in law has passed his along to me and frankly I'm behind the times - my kids, 11 and almost 13, are expressing an interest and I don't want this opportunity to pass us by. I'm not sure what scale I have or what kind of track. I'm having trouble attaching pictures due to their size; thanks Samsung! What can or should I look at on the train itself or the track to help ID this stuff?

I need to know what kind of track this is, and what I need to get the transformer to work on it. There is a hobby shop in town, so I should be able to pick up whatever I need today. I'd like to have it up and running under the tree tonight.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: Just from asking around at work, looks like all I might need is a specific piece of track fro those leads from the transformer to plug into. Can anyone confirm/deny before I look silly walking into the local hobby shop?

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tfcii · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2017, 08:49:11 am »

Welcome to the hobby.

Don't be afraid of looking silly or being a novice at the hobby shop. They are likely to be glad to see you and will be helpful. Their business depends on new as well as older customers.

Have fun.

TrainLarry · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2017, 10:00:32 am »

What you have is '0' gauge trains, and you may have either '027' or '0' gauge (031) track.

The transformer should have some numbers or letters on it to identify it.

What you need is a track "lockon" and hookup wire to connect the transformer to the track.

The locomotive may need a little servicing (oil and grease) to get it to run smoothly. Bring it to the hobby shop and let them do it for you.

Larry

Gamera · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2017, 10:28:40 am »

Thanks very much, Larry! I appreciate it.

Quote from: TrainLarry on December 22, 2017, 10:00:32 am

What you have is '0' gauge trains, and you may have either '027' or '0' gauge (031) track.

The transformer should have some numbers or letters on it to identify it.

What you need is a track "lockon" and hookup wire to connect the transformer to the track.

The locomotive may need a little servicing (oil and grease) to get it to run smoothly. Bring it to the hobby shop and let them do it for you.

Larry

djacobsen · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2017, 06:45:12 pm »

Gamera
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

It's wonderful to inherit pre-loved trains, usually a little lubrication (i'm using mobil 1 synthetic these days), some spit and polish to make 'em look purty, give them some power and get into the "O" zone listening to the clickety-clack as they go round- round.

To add to Train Larrys' reply;
If you haven't yet, check out our Lionel Maintenance & Repair sub forum, a lot of good information there.

If you can't find a lockon or are jones-ing to run your trains, you can solder leads from the center rail and one from an outer rail to hook up to your transformer. if you don't have a soldering iron, you can jam the wire into the connection points on the rails, not estheticly pleasing, but it works in a pinch. If you know anyone that runs O trains, they might have an extra lockon they'll pass on to you.

Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, please ask.

Happy Rails!
dave

Gamera · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2017, 08:55:40 am »

Thanks Dave! I was able to get a lockdown yesterday, and today I plan on figuring out how to install it. Maintenance & Repair and other forums, here I come! Seems like it should be pretty easy; wish me luck!

Quote from: djacobsen on December 22, 2017, 06:45:12 pm

Gamera
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!

It's wonderful to inherit pre-loved trains, usually a little lubrication (i'm using mobil 1 synthetic these days), some spit and polish to make 'em look purty, give them some power and get into the "O" zone listening to the clickety-clack as they go round- round.

To add to Train Larrys' reply;
If you haven't yet, check out our Lionel Maintenance & Repair sub forum, a lot of good information there.

If you can't find a lockon or are jones-ing to run your trains, you can solder leads from the center rail and one from an outer rail to hook up to your transformer. if you don't have a soldering iron, you can jam the wire into the connection points on the rails, not estheticly pleasing, but it works in a pinch. If you know anyone that runs O trains, they might have an extra lockon they'll pass on to you.

Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, please ask.

Happy Rails!
dave

djacobsen · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2017, 09:51:58 am »

Gamera
You are welcome.
the lockon is pretty straightforward, just snap it on the bottom of the track and attach the wires.

btw; I like your bruce campbell avatar.

Happy Rails!

Gamera · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2017, 11:15:58 am »

So the lockon came with its own wires; do I even need those or can I run the transformer cables right into the lockon? (Having some trouble figuring out how the cabling stays in the lockon lol)

TrainLarry · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2017, 01:29:59 pm »

The lockon uses Fahnestock clips to hold the wires in place.

You can use either set of wires to hook the transformer to the lockon.

See here for an explanation and pictures of how to use them.

Fahnestock clip - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Larry

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Author Topic: Beginner newbie question! (Read 3503 times)

Gamera

Beginner newbie question!

tfcii

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TrainLarry

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Gamera

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djacobsen

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Gamera

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djacobsen

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