newbie here with 3 rail questions

[h44]

hello after trying my 6yr old with his own Ho scale layout ( he does great operating my own HO scale layout) and seeing the endless parade of smashed boxcars, broken engines we have decided O scale would be better.
we have a box full of the older 3 rail with the metal ties including2 manual switches, and some of the odd looking I believe old Marx cars
now will most brands labled 3 rail run on the older 3 rail?, I have seen some decent stuff from Kar Line etc on ebay with decent prices wil this operate any info tips etc would be help ful also do most of your older steam engine blow smoke?
thanks
mark

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Someone may correct me, but here were two basic types of track to start with .. O27 and O31!
All Marx and the smaller Lionel will operate on O27 track which has lower/flatter ties.
The larger steamers and diesels need the O31 for a minimum curve.

Marx loco's use a slide to pickup current from the center rail. Marx loco's do not like Lionel switches as they bump up on the pivot point and will derail.

From my small knowledge, most all of the newer, larger loco's and cars will all work on O31 or larger curved track.

Hope this helps ...

 

[Iron Horseman]

we have a box full of the older 3 rail with the metal ties including 2 manual switches, and some of the odd looking I believe old Marx cars now will most brands labled 3 rail run on the older 3 rail?

First thing to do is to make a circle of that old track. I believe that should be 8 pieces to make a circle. Then measure how big the loop is. I am guessing it will be 27" making that O-27 size.

The trick then with modern O gauge is to make certain it is compatible with O-27. This should be clearly stated somewhere on the box or advertisement. Modern O-gauge has gone beyond the traditional O-27, O (which is really O-31), and O-72 to include O-45 and O-54. Mostly locomotives are dependent on the curve size. MOST freight cars will run on any because the couplers are mounted to the trucks rather than the car bodies.

do most of your older steam engine blow smoke?

No, smoke and whistle were deluxe options.

 

[otiscnj]

Most new Lionel train sets come with either Fastrack or 027 or 031. I have a lionel switcher with a slope back tender, but it doesn't smoke.

 

[Bruette]

Hi H44!

If I were you I would save yourself some frustration and buy a new Lionel LionChief ready to run set. They come with a remote control, power supply, O36 track and every thing you need to have his set up and running in minutes. More then likely you can run your old rolling stock with the new train, but they do recommend a 10 car limit on the 2-4-2 LionChief locomotive and consider each 1 of your old rolling stock as 2 cars if they don't have fast angel wheels. They have remote activated sounds and the steamers have smoke too.

The LionChief sets come with a DC power supply, but if you want to upgrade to a more powerful AC transformer you can and the remote control will work too. Also you could run it on a layout with Legacy if you go that far. The LionChief remote is specific to each model locomotive so you can run more then 1 train on the same track. If you have 2 of the same model they will both respond to the same remote. For example 2 silver bells locomotives will both respond to the same remote. One silver bells and one polar express will only respond to its remote. Lionel puts the name of the model on the remote.

$144.99 Lionel O 6-30207 Santa Fe Scout Alco RS 3 Freight Lion Chief Remote and Train Set http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-SF-Scout-Alco-RS-3-Freight-Train-Set-p/lio-6-30207.htm

$179.99 Lionel O 6-30233 Pennsylvania Flyer Lion Chief Remote Train Set http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-PRR-Flyer-Train-Set-p/lio-6-30233.htm

$189.99 Lionel O 6-30205 Silver Bells Express Christmas Lion Chief Remote Train Set http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-Silver-Bells-Express-Train-Set-p/lio-6-30205.htm

$219.99 Lionel O 6-30214 Peanuts Halloween Freight Train Set With Lionchief Remote Control http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-Peanuts-Halloween-Freight-Train-Set-p/lio-6-30214.htm

$279.99 Lionel O 6-30218 Polar Express Passenger Lion Chief Remote and RC RailSounds Train Set http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Lionel-O-Polar-Express-Passenger-Train-Set-p/lio-6-30218.htm

There are many more sets and more to come from Lionel
http://www.lionel.com/Products/Find...talogID=89&CollectionID=&searchWithin=Current
http://www.lionelstore.com/lionchief-remote-control-set

I wish they had the LionChief when I set up my grandsons layout. They love the remote control of the Polar Express and Silver Bells sets I had under our Christmas tree. They played with the Christmas trains more then they do with their layout. Now they want remote control for their layout!

If you decide to use what you have follow Stoker's advice and go to OGR's forum be sure to post some pictures of what you have and you will get your answers. I can't help you much with those other brands I am 99% Lionel in O gauge.

I am glad to see you introduce the boy to model railroading and your right to go with O gauge for the youngster they are much more rugged and dependable. My 4 and 5 year old grandsons can change cars and run the trains with little need for help from me. Keep an eye on him always because it is an electric toy.