O gauge Trains

[stubs300]

I have read and heard from lots of people that the TMCC loco's are loaded with issues right out of the box. I can't afford that expensive stuff so I just run it conventional. They also look way to fragile now days, not like the old Lionel of post war years. It all went down hill after the MPC buyout. Good Luck

 

[Ripinator]

Got spoiled with some train goodies for xmas. Phase 2 has started out for the layout. New area is planned to be the “city” in time.

The new grass does not match the old at all lol. Ill have to hide it pretty good! Moved some stuff around, and still finishing the track layout. Waiting on some more track to show up!

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Zack: I really love your train layout and the new Challenger acquisition. Reminds me of the Lionel layouts we used to set up at Christmas time so long ago. Lately, I've had a good bit of fun running my trains on our club's (Four County Society) modular layout. Here is a short clip of my N&W Y6-B pulling a manifest freight:

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Zack: I really love your train layout and the new Challenger acquisition. Reminds me of the Lionel layouts we used to set up at Christmas time so long ago. Lately, I've had a good bit of fun running my trains on our club's (Four County Society) modular layout. Here is a short clip of my N&W Y6-B pulling a manifest freight:

That SOB in the light blue 4wheeler pulled right down on you at the crossing. Sheeez they can't even drive little plastic one's, it's nowonder I don't get hit everyday.

 

[stubs300]

Rip - That's 2 rail, not 3. Is that Standard gauge or ON30 because I know it's not O?

 

[Ripinator]

Rip - That's 2 rail, not 3. Is that Standard gauge or ON30 because I know it's not O?

It is HO scale. . .

 

[stubs300]

Videos can be deceiving sometimes.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Zack: I really love your train layout and the new Challenger acquisition. Reminds me of the Lionel layouts we used to set up at Christmas time so long ago. Lately, I've had a good bit of fun running my trains on our club's (Four County Society) modular layout. Here is a short clip of my N&W Y6-B pulling a manifest freight:

Very cool though, thanks.

 

[78Brougham]

I found this last year when I was working on my shelf layout. This is one COOL layout! I can't imagine how much time and money was involved in this.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

My son and the his scout troop went to Western PA railroading museum. They have a really extensive layout of the old B&O line from Pittsburgh to Cumberland MD. Circa 1953. Now CSX it follows the Monongahela and Youghogheny river. They are normally open to the public November and December.

Essentially standing in the Monongahela river looking West across Smithfield street bridge, the bigger Wabash bridge is no longer there.

Same spot looking the other way these tracks are gone now, highway and rails to trails, raised railroad bridge is now a trolley/subway subway bridge.

This is excavation for IR 376 highway and in the foreground is a Jones&Laughlin steel mill (not there anymore). They were rebuilding it during downtime/summer.

This rail yard is still there, run by a shortline, near Homestead PA.

These are some scouts in a cave, it is quite detailed, and very true to actual geography, with some artistic liberties.

 

[Ripinator]

My son and the his scout troop went to Western PA railroading museum. They have a really extensive layout of the old B&O line from Pittsburgh to Cumberland MD. Circa 1953. Now CSX it follows the Monongahela and Youghogheny river. They are normally open to the public November and December.View attachment 243896
Essentially standing in the Monongahela river looking West across Smithfield street bridge, the bigger Wabash bridge is no longer there.
View attachment 243897
Same spot looking the other way these tracks are gone now, highway and rails to trails, raised railroad bridge is now a trolley/subway subway bridge.
View attachment 243898
This is excavation for IR 376 highway and in the foreground is a Jones&Laughlin steel mill (not there anymore). They were rebuilding it during downtime/summer.
View attachment 243899
This rail yard is still there, run by a shortline, near Homestead PA.
View attachment 243900
These are some scouts in a cave, it is quite detailed, and very true to actual geography, with some artistic liberties.

View attachment 243895

WOW! Very nice layout. I've heard about this model railroad, but have never seen it. A real modeler's dream railroad. Thanks a lot.

 

[Ripinator]

Videos can be deceiving sometimes.

Yes they can. When the video is taken at track level, it forces a change in perspective.

 

[78Brougham]

One more crazy layout... long but fascinating to watch.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

WOW! Very nice layout. I've heard about this model railroad, but have never seen it. A real modeler's dream railroad. Thanks a lot.

It is huge. The trains make the trip go out of sight, loop around and make the return trip, out of sight and make it again.

 

[monaco75]

I have read and heard from lots of people that the TMCC loco's are loaded with issues right out of the box. I can't afford that expensive stuff so I just run it conventional. They also look way to fragile now days, not like the old Lionel of post war years. It all went down hill after the MPC buyout. Good Luck

I can agree and disagree on this one. Personally I’ve had more trouble out of my MTH engines. Although, I can’t necessarily blame the engines themselves, as all of em like this new to me challenger have been second hand, and are several years old by the time I get em. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t want to afford a brand new $1500 engine....

I gotta admit though, as troublesome as they might be I love all the bells and whistles on the “newer” stuff. Yes more to go wrong, but the sound systems are incredible, as well as the rest.

Even though they are China built, the vision line offerings from Lionel are pretty jaw dropping to me. Such great looking pieces. Again though we’re talking a $2k train. Love to have it, but wouldn’t pay for it.

There is a guy on YouTube I enjoy watching. His channel is ericstrains. He can get a little tiresome listening too... but some of the stuff he reviews is stuff I’ll never own. Its kinda like the movie version of flipping through a catalog as a kid. Stuff you’d kill to have, but can only look lol.

Zack: I really love your train layout and the new Challenger acquisition. Reminds me of the Lionel layouts we used to set up at Christmas time so long ago. Lately, I've had a good bit of fun running my trains on our club's (Four County Society) modular layout. Here is a short clip of my N&W Y6-B pulling a manifest freight:

Thanks!! I really like it too. However I’m trying not to “fall in love” with it, as it may not be here much longer. I’ve always wanted a big boy, and this is as close as I’ll ever get I believe. No space for the bigger curves to run an official big boy...

That loco is great! Pretty incredible sound coming from an HO engine. Layout looks damn good as well!

 

[monaco75]

Well I’ve tried all I can do for the challenger... still not functioning properly.

I’ve been talking with the guy I got it from. I asked for a little of a refund to go towards repair cost for the engine, but he seemed to rather do a full refund, and return the engine. I’ll know for sure tomorrow, but is what it is.

Engine came from an estate sale. Guy I bought it from is helping the family sell the stuff. He said the gentleman collected trains, and liked to showcase them. Didn’t have a layout in the house, so everything is like new. Unfortunately seems the electronics must not have liked that...

I did manage to get it on the tracks with the rest of em for a brief run tonight. Even got the New York central on the tracks.

 

[mrfury68]

That layout at the model railroad museum is amazing. My son and I have been there. The time and talent involved is something special. All of the pics of these train layouts are really cool.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

That layout at the model railroad museum is amazing. My son and I have been there. The time and talent involved is something special. All of the pics of these train layouts are really cool.

Yes, lots of dedication from it's members.

 

[monaco75]

A little update...

Good news. The seller of the Challenger, and I were able to work out a deal. The engine is staying. Glad so as I already bought new track, and U.P. coal hoppers for it before it even showed up. I was very excited to get it lol.

I sent it out to the only lionel repair shop left in the state down in Tampa last week. Bad news is they estimated at least 5 weeks till they get to it. Well damn! Oh well...

The new line of track showed up, and is installed. Made some trestles for it. Still need to paint em. The elevated track around the future city was supposed to be for a subway, but I had to have the challenger lol. So the C&NW will accommodate the upper level with the challenger on the main track.

My little lionel engine decided it wanted to die yesterday after cleaning it. So I’m off to Daytona in the morning with my old MTH U.P. to see about getting it going again. Been a tough train month!

 

[monaco75]

Feels like it’s been forever since the trains have been gone lol.

Did get the new trestles painted. Gave my first try at salt weathering with them. Think they came out decent enough. Better then bare wood. Used rustoleum rusty metal paint, and rustoleum green. Green sounded great in theory, and looked good too. However once on the layout don’t think it was the right choice. Now instead of rusty looking, they look as if they are being taken over by vegetation instead. The green is almost the same as the grass lol

I threw the dummy A, and B Union Pacific Alco’s on the inner track, along with the PA steamer. The steamer is too big to run on this track, as well as the outer main loop unfortunately...

The 2019 lionel catalog came in. Also ordered an original 1958 catalog for fun. Such great illustrations in it!

I couldn’t take it anymore. Needed something for the new track to run on. Picked up this Lionel LionChief plus GP7 at the local hobby shop today. Neat little mid level engine! I was pretty interested in getting one, but only saw them online. Wasn’t sure how one would fit in on the layout. Surprisingly the local shop had this one on the shelf, and I liked it. Brought her home, and got her running around. Only down side is this one adds another remote only for itself into the mix. Oh well... She seems to be a great runner though. The LED headlights on this thing are damn bright!!

A little run for tonight.

 

[78Brougham]

Nice job Zack! What is the factory that's blowing all the smoke? Very cool!
You're layout is awesome!