Lionel Train Forum - Lionel Trains




Author Topic: New Member With Questions  (Read 1631 times)

freescopesdad

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Location: NorCal
    • View Profile
New Member With Questions
« on: September 10, 2024, 12:13:40 pm »
Greetings...

My first post so please take it easy on me. :) I figured joining a Lionel train forum was the fastest way to get some good answers about Lionel, Fastrack and O scale layouts in general. I'm not new to model railroading, as I have an extensive n scale layout in my garage, but haven't owned any Lionel equipment since I was 8YO in the 50's. But my granddaughter is 3 and 1/2, is hooked on trains, and I want to put a Lionel layout around the Christmas tree. I've actually put together a track bill of material using Anyrail software, but due to space constraints I am using 031 radius curves throughout. Still, it does what I want in a 58x46 inch footprint (inside outside with 45 degree crossover).

Here is my problem, and I'm open to any and all suggestions. I can save some money on rolling stock by buying a trainset, but they all seem to come with 036 radius track and a consist that is not my first (or second) choice. And buying a specific locomotive and rolling stock, plus electronics, seems to be prohibitively expensive in comparison. I like the newer electronics that Lionel offers with bluetooth, railsounds and the like. And that BNSF ET44AC has caught my eye as well (I have several in n scale).

So is there a sweet spot anywhere here, or is this just the cost to play these days? I know, n scale isn't cheap either. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Ron

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


djacobsen

  • Toy Train Infidel
  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 478
  • A Child at Heart, Still Plays with Trains.
  • Location: Couch Mt, overlooking scenic Lone Star, Tx.
    • View Profile
  • Scale(s) Modeled: G-1:22.5 & 1:24, Standard Gauge,  O/O-27, Wind Up, S scale & N scale.
Re: New Member With Questions
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2024, 08:06:49 am »
Hello & Welcome to the Forum.
This is a problem that many have faced with their trains.
IF you want to run the larger locomotives, you are going
to  have to go with larger radius curved track.
You can run on tighter curves, but if it doesn't jam up on the
curve, you will possibly be wearing out (grinding) either your
wheels or track.
It's Up to You, as an operator.
Happy Rails.
dave

Also working on uploader problem.
Railroad Crossings: Mother Natures way of thinning the gene pool.

mtnman1

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1
    • View Profile
  • Scale(s) Modeled: O Gauge
Re: New Member With Questions
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2024, 03:00:47 pm »
Hi Ron
Space constraints are the biggest problem to any model railroad. We'd all love a bigger layout than what we have! LOL 
 Buying a set is probably the cheapest way (as you said ) to get everything including the transformer which can be a big cost individually. If you do buy a set and all of the rolling stock and engine can run on a 31 inch minimum radius, you can still use the 10 inch fastrack straights that come with the set and buy 31 inch radius curves to use with it for about $4 a piece.  Maybe cheaper on eBay. Sell the 36 radius curves off or save them for when you have more room.

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
1 Replies
553 Views
Last post July 01, 2018, 06:49:10 am
by djacobsen
1 Replies
993 Views
Last post February 07, 2024, 09:01:17 pm
by Vince53

Member Photos

Recent Threads

LIONEL VISION 6-28320 Canadian Pacific LEGACY Evolution Hybrid Diesel # 9860 by woolln
October 22, 2024, 04:24:14 pm

Re: New Member With Questions by mtnman1
October 07, 2024, 03:00:47 pm

Spammer: Rodd by djacobsen
September 27, 2024, 12:27:01 pm

Re: New Member With Questions by djacobsen
September 12, 2024, 08:06:49 am

Re: Using Post war ZW and fastrack by djacobsen
September 12, 2024, 07:51:19 am

Menu


Donate to LTF Here

Lionel Trains

Lionel Train Forum - Model Train Forum

©2012-2023  LionelTrainForum.com