Curt,
this is an often heard complaint on the other
train forums I belong to.
QC in China
Damage in shipping
First run locomotive design flaws

If you're purchasing from a LHS, they should
let you check out the locomotive,, to  make sure
you're getting what you pay for.

Online Train Stores,  you can't inspect the locomotive,
then having to ship it back if it's problematic or damaged
in shipping.

Online Auctions -A leap of faith... You pay your money & hope
what(if) you receive is what it was described as.
Again the possibility of shipping damage.
Then dealing with return or refund if it's not as advertised....

I'm not sure if it Caveat Emptor or You Pays Your Money & Takes Your Chances....

Looking at the membership rolls, I see we now have 51 members,
with gator21850 being our newest member.

It's always nice to see new faces on the forum.


You can add this  to your signature line on any other forums
you belong to:

Member
Lionel Train Forum
http://www.lioneltrainforum.com/index.php


Copy the link on the Home page after typing in:

Member
Lionel Train Forum
    Paste (here)

It will help spread the word about the site
and maybe bring in a some new members
with questions, answers or experiences.

For those of you seeking catalogs, Trainworld has older Lionel Catalogs available.
The link does say American Flyer, but it will take you to their Lionel Catalogs,
various ones from 1979 to 2011 are available.


http://www.trainworldonline.com/catalog/american-flyer/american-flyer-catalogs/

                   

I'll start this off...
For me, it all started off with a Marx Clockwork Steam Freight Set.

I received my First Electric Train for Christmas in 1959,
a Sears/Marx-Allstate O27 Steam Freight set.
I've had HO's, AF-S scale & am currently operating
Large Scale & N scale.  I've come full circle with the
acquisition of an MPC/Lionel Blue Streak Freight Set.
             
(this is who I become when I play with my trains,
never liked my picture being taken, so the smile is inside.)

                       My First Electric O27 Train



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I came across this link to "Classic Toy Trains"
Magazine online web site.
Beginners information pages.
Some very good information.

http://ctt.trains.com/collecting/beginners.aspx

You do not have to be a subscriber or member
of Trains. Com to view the pages.  Yes, you can
register as a member to post on the forums.

Enjoy!

I came across this site a few years ago:  All-Gauge Model Railroading Page.
They offer a lot of information for beginners and others, in just about all scales.
They even have free downloadable O, O27 & S scale Paper Building Kits.

Check the site out.

http://www.thortrains.net/index.htm

Beginners, make sure you check out the:  Basic O/O27 Manual's.
.

Conductor,
Thank You for your Welcome to the Forum.

I do hope that other members will start posting.
I'm sure there must be other members willing to
share their experience or ask questions.

I've placed a few video's on the Train Yard sub forum.
I hope members will start signing in and viewing them.
I've also more photo's uploaded for my Gallery & will
have more pictures soon to upload.

Thanks again.