Atlas O scale 3 rail same as lionel?

[NYSW F45]

I know nothing about O scale, lionel or anything of this scale. But my father-in-law gave me some basic tyco rolling stock that could be converted to some good rolling stock. Also lots of track. He was getting ready to start a small lionel layout. So for christmas i'de like to surprise him with a few locomotives or rolling stock. But I dont know if Atlas 3 rail O scale or MTH 3 rail is the same as lionel. Is it?

Can anyone recommend a few sites for O scale stuff besides Walthers?

 

[ICG/SOU]

There's O and then there's O.

Atlas O (including Trainman O) are standard 1/48 scale, but in 3 rails. It is compatible on track and cars by Lionel, Weaver, Williams/Bachmann, and MTH.

Atlas O Industrial Rail is semi-scale. If you put a IR car next to a straight O car, you'll see the difference. Most of what Lionel has is semi-scale (like the train sets).

Lionel has O and semi-scale O. Unless it says Standard O, it's likely semi-scale.
MTH has O (mainly Premier series) and semi-scale O (some Rail King). You'd have to have the item in hand to tell for sure. Weaver is standard O.

O-27 means it can negotiate tight 27 inch diameter curves. Most standard O can negotiate O-36 or O-48, but longer cars need larger diameter curves.

I've gotten some stuff from MB Klein, but most I've gotten locally.

 

[Rico]

Trey that's good info to know!
I'm just delving into On30 for a change of pace, maybe a small ind. layout to start.

 

[Laidoffsick]

Walthers really don't have much as far as O scale. Pick up a Classic Toy Trains magazine or browse Ebay. I buy and sell O scale every month on Ebay, there's over 26000 listings normally, NOT including all the Ebay Stores. You can break it down by manyfacturer as well. Look up MTH, Atlas, Lionel etc. If you know what you are looking for, you can get fabulous deals right now with the economy in the state it's in. Just look around Ebay and check it all out.