[karlos]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to model trains. My son have been a train freak all his short life, and graduated from the Thomas "Brio" set to a Lionel set a few weeks ago. I must admit this is fun and pretty engaging for the whole family. We bought the Pennsylvania Flayer kit with the 4-4-2 engine and the CW80 transformer. It also comes with Fastrack rails and is set on a 4x8 home-built table (as recommended by the guy at the shop), and we are looking to expand. My son loves to shunt and switch cars which is pretty difficult with just an oval set-up. I was looking at the track expansion kits for Fastrack (add-on kits) but the prices were not something I was too happy with. Don't get me wrong, I new this hobby was not going to be cheap. But then looking around I realized that I can get a complete O-27 track set with switches for around the same price of an Add-On Fastrack set. My newbie question then is: Should I make the change to O-27 (or any other track) and away from the Fastrack, or am I missing something here? I know Fastrack is easier to set up and looks more realistic but other than that I would not know what would the advantage over O27 or O31. Is it more durable? Do I need to buy extra stuff to make it work with what I have? Will I be able to find parts in the future compared to Fastrack? As I said, this layout will be "permanently" set in a 4x8 table and whether with Fastrack or any other O-gauge, we will be expanding in the future, is just that with the cheaper we will be expanding sooner and adding more. I am open to any suggestions.
Thanks, Karlos

 

[T-Man]

Karlos ,you are the third member to ask about adapters just recently. In O scale threads search track, clean,027,O scale , radius, adapter,fastrak.

27 and 31 are curve radius's in inches. Small is good for tight places ,large is good for big engines. Track is all preference, and adapters are not made for everything. But tubular and fastrak do. Used track is avalible cheep by the box if you are not afraid of elbow grease. Seek out a local train show. Find LHS (hobby shop)in your area.

We all start somewhere. The button is "Search this Forum" a little reading will get you up to speed. Welcome to MTF.

For switches you need to decide between an 022 0 gage or 1122 027 gage
Consider buying used. craigslist and others have items. I use "Lionel" to search.

 

[Reckers]

Karlos, welcome to the forum! What T-man is trying to say is...(he hates it when I say that, so I try to say it often!), those questions come up very frequently. To help beginners, we've written stock answers for the basic questions and posted them in permanent threads. Go to the dark-gray bar at the top, where it says "Forum Home", and follow it across to "Search". As T-Man said, click "Search" and the search window opens. Type in "O scale track" and then read what you find. Go back and type in "clean,027,O scale , radius, adapter,fastrak" one at a time, and digest what you read. It's the fastest way to bring you up to speed. Then come back as you're reading them and ask questions as you go along. Best wishes and it's nice to have you join us!

 

[Reckers]

Didja like that, T?

 

[karlos]

Karlos ,you are the third member to ask about adapters just recently. In O scale threads search track, clean,027,O scale , radius, adapter,fastrak.

Thaks TMan; I did searched but was not getting the results I was looking for...

27 and 31 are curve radius's in inches. Small is good for tight places ,large is good for big engines.

Sorry I was not clear enough but this was not what I meant. My question was answered in your next statement...

Track is all preference,{...} But tubular and fastrak do.

Used track is avalible cheep by the box if you are not afraid of elbow grease. Seek out a local train show.:thumbsup::thumbsup:Thanks for this

Find LHS (hobby shop)in your area.

We all start somewhere. The button is "Search this Forum" a little reading will get you up to speed. Welcome to MTF.

For switches you need to decide between an 022 0 gage or 1122 027 gage
Consider buying used. craigslist and others have items. I use "Lionel" to search.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:Thanks again!

 

[karlos]

Thanks Reckers!
Like I wrote to T Man. I did some searching and reading about the different gauges before I posted. My concern was more on the side of whether it was a good idea or not, or if I was ignoring something I could not find. Perhaps I should have included that little piece of info. However both gave me the info I was looking for: "Tracks is all preference", "Search for adapter". Also the buy used tracks is a great advise...Thanks a bunch!!!!

 

[Reckers]

Karlos, T-Man is the guy to go to when you have questions and need practical solutions. I just like to jerk his chain. *L* Glad to have you with us!

 

[Big Ed]

Karlos, welcome to the forum! What T-man is trying to say is...(he hates it when I say that, so I try to say it often!), those questions come up very frequently. To help beginners, we've written stock answers for the basic questions and posted them in permanent threads. Go to the dark-gray bar at the top, where it says "Forum Home", and follow it across to "Search". As T-Man said, click "Search" and the search window opens. Type in "O scale track" and then read what you find. Go back and type in "clean,027,O scale , radius, adapter,fastrak" one at a time, and digest what you read. It's the fastest way to bring you up to speed. Then come back as you're reading them and ask questions as you go along. Best wishes and it's nice to have you join us!

Basically that's what T said.

You sound like Polly the parrot.:laugh:

 

[Reckers]

Yeah, but it gave me the chance to say, "What T-Man is trying to say is...."

Ya gotta understand, Ed. I live for that moment.

 

[karlos]

I can tell you guys are a fun bunch. A heck of a lot better reception to any other forum I have ever participated in my life...glad to be here!

 

[karlos]

Hi Big Ed, I see you are in Jersey. Any recommendations on good model train places at a decent price? My local guy is really nice but I want to shop around to find the best place.

 

[T-Man]

I just wanted him to watch my video on cleaning Track.:D

 

[Reckers]

I just wanted him to watch my video on cleaning Track.:D

Actually, once I saw this post, I decided to watch it myself and see what I'd learn. Couldn't open it from here at work, though. I'll have to watch it over the weekend from home.

 

[karlos]

I just wanted him to watch my video on cleaning Track.:D

A fine piece of educational-model-locomotive cinema indeed. :laugh:

I am one of those who can read the instructions 1,000 times, and never realize whether I'm on the right track or not, watch it ones...boom! And I got it. Thanks!

 

[Big Ed]

Actually, once I saw this post, I decided to watch it myself and see what I'd learn. Couldn't open it from here at work, though. I'll have to watch it over the weekend from home.

So you do work?:laugh:
When do you find the time to work?

Just last week you were 600 posts and today your over 1100.

 

[Big Ed]

Hi Big Ed, I see you are in Jersey. Any recommendations on good model train places at a decent price? My local guy is really nice but I want to shop around to find the best place.

Where about are you in Jersey?

I pick most of my stuff up on e bay or online stores.
I am always on the lookout at flea markets.

And on once a year cleanup day my dog sniffs old trains from the piles of junk.
Though I think his days are numbered.

 

[Reckers]

So you do work?:laugh:
When do you find the time to work?

Just last week you were 600 posts and today your over 1100.

*L* It's the slow time of year for us and I'm all caught up. Can't go to the capital for IRP plates for another few weeks; boss spent half this week up in Maryland. Life is good.

 

[Big Ed]

*L* It's the slow time of year for us and I'm all caught up. Can't go to the capital for IRP plates for another few weeks; boss spent half this week up in Maryland. Life is good.

"BIG DICK" from my place went last week. Alllll week and I tell you everyone was happy. All most everything went right.

My division of the company ran #1 in the northeast quite a few times. We won awards and were rewarded with nice bonuses.

AND THAT WAS WITH THE PLANT RUNNING WITH NO MR BIG DICK FOR TWO YEARS.

The place ran just fine with just three supervisors and no big dick on three shifts going with full burners. Everyone was happy and I think worked better too.

Because of all the stupid changes Mr big dick made, everyone hates going to work now. refuse to go that extra mile. Before when extra work came in everyone pulled together to get it covered but now all just don't care.
It's not that we don't care but whatever you do it don't matter. As Mr big dick won't listen to anyone. We used to help management but were told that are help is not needed.

OK......we don't help anymore and profit in their mistakes.

They took away Nextel's and put in electronic logs with text messaging.
Then they try to call you and no one answers their phones. They ask why you didn't call? We answer that we do have message machines do you monitor them?

They told us they were doing away with Nextel because they bothered the dispatchers?

Sometimes when you need a pickup # or some other problem, you might wait and hour or so just for them to see the message let alone fix the problems.

More $$$$$ to us.:laugh:

We still all most get 60+ hours a week.

And thirty of it is from stupid stuff that Mr dick incorporated into the work day.

 

[karlos]

Where about are you in Jersey?

I pick most of my stuff up on e bay or online stores.
I am always on the lookout at flea markets.

And on once a year cleanup day my dog sniffs old trains from the piles of junk.
Though I think his days are numbered.

Sorry to hear about Fido...
I'm close to Cherry Hill/Woodbury Area.