O scale setup HELP
- Thread starter GazooRC
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With a CW-80 I can run my Legacy Christmas Pioneer Zephyr, the entire train, with the two lighted passenger cars. I use it every Christmas.
I've also used a CW-80 to run my Lionel 6-28051 EM-1 2-8-8-4 with TMCC. My TMCC EM-1 is from the same year (2000) as his TMCC Big Boy. I assumed the CW would work. Assume, now I'm thinking of Benny Hill again.
Lionel 6-28051 B&O Scale-O EM-1 with TMCC
I test all my locomotives Legacy, TMCC or conventional with a CW-80. I’ve never found one that would not run with a CW-80.
Even the Lionel Power Max transformer will power most, not all. But a CW-80 has never failed me. As far as testing the locomotive is concerned, without rolling stock.
You can use also use small pieces of straight tracks in between each curve to expand the radius. As Paul (AKA Mixed Freight) said "Repeat at the other end of the oval."
Again, to quote Paul "If you got the room, I would go with the biggest curves you can. Your loco may run a little better, but it sure would look a lot better."
O-84 Full circle requires thirty-two pieces. You will need eight to turn each corner.
O-96 Full circle requires thirty-two pieces. You will need eight to turn each corner.
I highly recommend downloading the free trial of AnyRail before you buy the curves. It will be a tremendous help in determining what you need to best fit your area. It will even give you Lionel part numbers for the pieces. The free download is limited to a certain number of pieces, but you can design one corner at a time.
I can't tell you how much fun AnyRail has been for me brainstorming ideas. It was well worth the purchase price for me!
Bottom line; enjoy your trains!
I like Lionel's FasTrack for availiblity and all the various pieces.
One of our forum's greatest modelers Dave (AKA logandsawman) Built an arround the celing HO layout above the doors and it was magnificent! I'm sure he can give you some advice. @logandsawman
If you are going to set the track up basically once on a fixed layout it is a different story. the tubular high rail just looks so, so, toylike. For a Christmas layout sometimes that is the look that I want. But if I was doing a permanent model train set up I would not use it.
I got the Fastrack with a set and used it a couple years, but developed a dislike for it. Its been so long now I don't remember exactly why.
Personally I mostly use the Atlas Century track line. It looks better than any of the Lionel, MTH, Gargraves lines. It does have the issue of not liking to be put together and taken apart frequently as there are 3 rail joiners on each connection. The joiners become weaker with each connection and continually tightening them is a chore ( I still use it for most of my Christmas stuff and live with that affliction. I had to have three feeders on my outside loop last christmas because of weak rail joiners). It is also EXPEN$IVE. Oh, and avoid the Atlas Industrial track line. It uses square wire for joiners that like to fall out, and they do not carry electricity well, and there are very limited options on the size and types of track pieces.
Below is an Atlas curve chart, they are different than Lionels. Below that is my Christmas Loops from last year. Outside is O-72, with a couple O-81. Middle loop are O-63, and inside is O-54. You can see all the rail joiners involved.
https://www.mthtrains.com/news/643
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clear as mud. I’m going to need a book haha
Bruette
Well-Known Member
That's interesting and curious. Is that without the lighted passenger cars? I'm wondering if you have a weak CW-80 or is the Legacy Polar Express a power hog?
With a CW-80 I can run my Legacy Christmas Pioneer Zephyr, the entire train, with the two lighted passenger cars. I use it every Christmas.
I've also used a CW-80 to run my Lionel 6-28051 EM-1 2-8-8-4 with TMCC. My TMCC EM-1 is from the same year (2000) as his TMCC Big Boy. I assumed the CW would work. Assume, now I'm thinking of Benny Hill again.
Lionel 6-28051 B&O Scale-O EM-1 with TMCC
I test all my locomotives Legacy, TMCC or conventional with a CW-80. I’ve never found one that would not run with a CW-80.
Even the Lionel Power Max transformer will power most, not all. But a CW-80 has never failed me. As far as testing the locomotive is concerned, without rolling stock.
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Bruette
Well-Known Member
More power is always good. If you stay in this hobby, you will be glad to have it. And you will probably be buying more!I was able to buy 6-37947 for tomorrow
All good points!
You can use also use small pieces of straight tracks in between each curve to expand the radius. As Paul (AKA Mixed Freight) said "Repeat at the other end of the oval."
O-72 Full circle requires sixteen pieces. You will need four to turn each corner.
Again, to quote Paul "If you got the room, I would go with the biggest curves you can. Your loco may run a little better, but it sure would look a lot better."
O-84 Full circle requires thirty-two pieces. You will need eight to turn each corner.
O-96 Full circle requires thirty-two pieces. You will need eight to turn each corner.
I highly recommend downloading the free trial of AnyRail before you buy the curves. It will be a tremendous help in determining what you need to best fit your area. It will even give you Lionel part numbers for the pieces. The free download is limited to a certain number of pieces, but you can design one corner at a time.
I can't tell you how much fun AnyRail has been for me brainstorming ideas. It was well worth the purchase price for me!
Keep in mind the curves are measured from center rail to center rail.
O is the major league! But I'm biased.
Stay in the hobby long enough and you will accumulate a library of books!
Bottom line; enjoy your trains!
GazooRC
Active Member
Oh don’t I know from the ground side.
That’s the problem I don’t have room. Haha I’m either going to have to go around the spare room over the doors, build whatever I want in the basement and chance moisture damage or put my big boy on display and run a smaller scale in the spare room.
When I went on there it said download for windows. I run all apple
I think you’re right on that one. That’s why I went O myself. Even my ground cars are all 1/5 (biggest scale) go big or go home right.O is the major league! But I'm biased.
Stay in the hobby long enough and you will accumulate a library of books!
Bottom line; enjoy your trains!
GazooRC
Active Member
This is what I’m thinking of doing.
Something like this
Something like this
Bruette
Well-Known Member
I chose Lionel O for sentimental reasons. Since seeing the Lionel commercials on TV as a kid I wanted a Lionel set. Living in a small apartment that wasn't going to happen. Many years later my daughter got a Lionel Polar Express Ready to Run set for me to run under the Christmas tree. That was it, I was hooked!
To prevent corrosion, you can treat your track, locomotive pickups, and wheels with something like Aero Car Hobby Lubricants, Track Cleaner & Conditioner. I like Aero Car Hobby Lubricants, Track Cleaner & Conditioner because it not only prevents corrosion it enhances conductivity. With regular use you can keep track looking and working like new.
When your trains are not in use put them back into the box and put the box into a plastic bag to keep the moisture out.
I'm building a layout on my back porch and those are my plans to counter humidity. I bought a little battery-operated weather station to keep me informed.
Your Big Boy would make a fantastic display! Get enough track and a set of bumpers for each end to run it back and forth.
A range of 50-60% humidity is perfect for running trains. A little more or a little less is okay. Too low humidity and you run the risk of static electricity causing problems, too high and corrosion can be a problem.
To prevent corrosion, you can treat your track, locomotive pickups, and wheels with something like Aero Car Hobby Lubricants, Track Cleaner & Conditioner. I like Aero Car Hobby Lubricants, Track Cleaner & Conditioner because it not only prevents corrosion it enhances conductivity. With regular use you can keep track looking and working like new.
When your trains are not in use put them back into the box and put the box into a plastic bag to keep the moisture out.
I'm building a layout on my back porch and those are my plans to counter humidity. I bought a little battery-operated weather station to keep me informed.
A Lionel Ready to Run traditional scale set comes with everything you need to be up and running in minutes. I know of people who set them up on the floor and put them away when they are finished.
I did not know that.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
It's a matter of personal prefernce. Any track, any brand will work. Just make sure of the minimum curve for the trains you want to run.
I like Lionel's FasTrack for availiblity and all the various pieces.
That is cool!
One of our forum's greatest modelers Dave (AKA logandsawman) Built an arround the celing HO layout above the doors and it was magnificent! I'm sure he can give you some advice. @logandsawman
GazooRC
Active Member
I have a 40” shelf ready to go for it.
The basement might be ok then. I have moisture bags hanging too to collect moisture. I’m still deciding but I think it will be between the ceiling or basement. Preferably inside.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
Well .... If you are going to be putting the track together and taking it apart often. Tubular track is definitely the way to go. It is so rugged, and minor issues can be repaired with a needle nose pliers.
If you are going to set the track up basically once on a fixed layout it is a different story. the tubular high rail just looks so, so, toylike. For a Christmas layout sometimes that is the look that I want. But if I was doing a permanent model train set up I would not use it.
I got the Fastrack with a set and used it a couple years, but developed a dislike for it. Its been so long now I don't remember exactly why.
Personally I mostly use the Atlas Century track line. It looks better than any of the Lionel, MTH, Gargraves lines. It does have the issue of not liking to be put together and taken apart frequently as there are 3 rail joiners on each connection. The joiners become weaker with each connection and continually tightening them is a chore ( I still use it for most of my Christmas stuff and live with that affliction. I had to have three feeders on my outside loop last christmas because of weak rail joiners). It is also EXPEN$IVE. Oh, and avoid the Atlas Industrial track line. It uses square wire for joiners that like to fall out, and they do not carry electricity well, and there are very limited options on the size and types of track pieces.
Below is an Atlas curve chart, they are different than Lionels. Below that is my Christmas Loops from last year. Outside is O-72, with a couple O-81. Middle loop are O-63, and inside is O-54. You can see all the rail joiners involved.
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Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
Are you going to put it up high like that?
GazooRC
Active Member
I think I’ll stick with fast track haha once it’s built it’s done.
GazooRC
Active Member
If I go around the room I’d have to because there’s a window and 3 doors to clear.
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
I think that distinction might belong to #1 scale. Like this beast (link below). I got one, but is is so big I cannot figure out how to work it into even my Christmas display. The ad below downplays the "oh yeah it requires a 60 inch radius curve". O-120 equivalent.
https://www.mthtrains.com/news/643
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
So the track isn't so important as one will not see it.
GazooRC
Active Member
Exactly
GazooRC
Active Member
Ouch yea that’s going to be a big circle.
GazooRC
Active Member
Well a day late and a dollar short but my big boy came in the mail! It’s in great shape! 
Wow what a “big boy” haha
I got a 40” section of track I could test it out on to check functions. First power up I got a buzzing noise like a relay. I moved it around a little and got it to move. Reset and buzz again. I’m guessing this is a connection problem I’ll have to look into. Tonight after work I’ll check smoke function.
Wow what a “big boy” haha I got a 40” section of track I could test it out on to check functions. First power up I got a buzzing noise like a relay. I moved it around a little and got it to move. Reset and buzz again. I’m guessing this is a connection problem I’ll have to look into. Tonight after work I’ll check smoke function.
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