another newbie with Xmas treasure

N

nobody 21 years ago

I recieved a few odd pieces of my father's old Lionel set for Christmas, everything that's left of what he had when he was a kid in the 1940s. I'm new to trains so I don't have a clue where to start to find out if anything works. There is a transformer (American Flyer brand) that puts out variable AC from 6 to 15 VAC according to my voltmeter. There is a Lionel engine, a few boxcars, a coal tender, some type of electrical switch with 2 handles on it that is wired to a piece of track that appears to have a solenoid or a small motor or something to switch the track, and very few sections of 3 rail track. Through web searching I came up with O gauge (1 1/4" across the

3 rails). Not sure if it's O or O27 or O31 or even if there is any difference. As they say the trouble with the web isn't finding information, it's too much information.

- how can I apply power to the engine to see if it works? I recognize there is one set of contacts that touch the center rail, do I just apply the output of the transformer to the 2 contacts? Doesn't seem right since they would be on the same rail when the train is running so they should be at the same potential, right? Does one of the other rails or all three rails get connected to the transformer? Does it matter which output from the transformer goes to which rail? Sorry, I understand basics of V=IR and Kirchoff's laws and such but I am clueless about alternating current.

-can I run the train on a few sections of track somehow, or does the track have to make a continuous circuit?

-is O gauge track interchangeable, or is O different than O27? I understand that O27 and O30 and whatever else out there has different diameter turns, but are the 3 rails the same distance apart and connections the same? Can I go to the hobby store and buy any old O gauge track or does it have to be Lionel?

TIA, I'm sure I'll have more questions in a few days, assuming I can get what I have to work.

Vote

C

Charles Kimbrough 21 years ago

For an almost complete answer to your questions get Greenberg's Wiring Your Lionel Layout. A book that covers most aspects of three rail.

Partial answer; Connect one wire to the center rail and the other wire to one of the outside rails. There are many kinds of three rail O track. They don't inter connect even though they are the same gauge. The track does not have to all be Lionel it just has to match for connecting.

You do not need a full circle of track to test the eng>

Vote

B

Bill 21 years ago

Charles=A0Kimbrough replied: For an almost complete answer to your questions get Greenberg's Wiring Your Lionel Layout. A book that covers most aspects of three rail.

------------------------------------------------ I agree. This is an inexpensive book and will prove to be very helpful. "Greenberg's Wiring Your Lionel Layout":

formatting link

Another good book is: "Wiring Your Toy Train Layout":

formatting link

These are 32% off and include free shipping on orders over $25.

Bill Bill's Railroad Empire N Scale Model Railroad:

formatting link

History of N Scale:

formatting link

Railroad Bookstore:

formatting link

's Books and Toy Trains:

formatting link

to 1,000 sites:

formatting link

Vote

G

Graeme Eldred 21 years ago

In message , nobody writes

That'll do, although inspect the cord to ensure it isn't frayed, chaffed or perished.

Fine - the AF controller will suffice, to run the loco.

Indeed - all 0 gauge track is the same across the rails, i.e. the same gauge. The only differences are 0 and 027. 027 is lower profile than

0, and generally built to a smaller radius. Standard 027 track forms a circle 27 inches diameter, although there are larger radii tracks available, built to the same lower profile. Once you have seen a section of 0 and a section of 027 track together, you will see the difference.

Take two wires from your AF transformer, turn the power up say half way, and flash the ends of the two wires together. If you see a spark, the transformer is working. Next, with the loco upside down, touch one of the wires to either of the centre contacts, and the other to a wheel, or the loco chassis. Hopefully, it will run, but will probably need cleaning. If is buzzes but doesn't run, the reversing mechanism (E-unit) probably needs a bit of a bash, as it will be stuck.

Yes, you can buy whatever track you like, but note that whilst the gauge will be the same, the connectors between the various pieces of track may differ. Take a section of your track to the store, to ensure that whatever you choose will be compatible.

Three rail track is cheap, so don't be tempted to buy used track unless you can inspect it first. There is too much old, bent rusty stuff out there that will take forever to clean, and make useful.

You may like the look of more modern track, such as K-Line (around three dollars a section), which looks far more realistic than traditional Lionel. Lionel themselves have recently introduced their own more realistic track, which may be worth inspecting. Don't be afraid to dump your existing track if it is damaged in any way, and you prefer the more modern ranges.

Follow advice given elsewhere - buy a copy of Classic Toy Trains magazine, or O Gauge Railroads magazine. Both deal with toy trains, rather than scale models. Try subscribing to O gauge mailing lists :

formatting link

This online magazine is well worth reading, too :

formatting link

Most importantly, have fun :-)

Vote

another newbie with Xmas treasure

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?