Hey trainboard. I started off HO, then switched to N scale, but now I settled on O scale. Seems O scale has the least of model railroaders. The one thing that kept me away from O besides the high prices, are the layouts. Mostly O scale and Lionel trains are associated with a little oval track around a christmas tree with unrealistic accessories. As much as I love the milk cars, barrel and log loaders that my dad first introduced me to when i was real little, I'm really into realistic operation. Well I'll do the best I can with this. I already have a couple engines and rolling stock in O, so I dug them out, and put the track on the table. I'll post some pictures in the near future.
I started off with Lionel and American Flyer. WIll never lose my love of those trains. But their prices today, not thinking of collectibles, OUCH. I've been N scaling for 34 years now. But am slowly working into some On30. I find the prices are pretty decent. And the possibilities unending. If I had a big budget, and plenty of space, I'd look at O scale. But, I don't..... Boxcab E50
I look forward to the pics...and welcome to O scale!! I am On30 myself, after a lifetime in HO, N, and briefly G. I love this stuff. You should check into On30 if realistic operation is your thing as the scale really allows for that and in less space than standard O. Anyhow, can't wait to see your pics John
This is my GP20, Lionel Burlington Northern that I got for 20 dollars at a flea market. This is my new layout.
This is my Lionel GP20 SP 4060. I recieved for Christmas circa 1996. This loco is on my first layout.
My BN GP20 on my new layout. Fried Chicken Anyone? This Penn Central Box, my dad bought at a train meet when I was about 4 or 5.
Welcome to the world of O gauge CM. I too started with an O27 gauge train set. It was Marx though. My next set was a Lionel FA2 that I still have. Great runner and still my favorite engine. I've moved onto 2-rail O scale, and while the idea of a layout needing a lot of space, I made a switching layout on a hollow core door. The old Atlas track from the 70's is what I used to build it and a Weaver VO1000 for my current switcher. I also have a Rich Yoder brass 70 tonner, which cost the same as the VO1000. So don't let the size of O keep you from having fun with O scale. Greg Elems
Where did you get 2 rail track? I've never seen it. I would like it better, the third rail in the middle is just too unrealistic.
Well for starters, take a look here. http://www.atlaso.com/welcome.htm Their on line store is closed but if you look towards the bottom of the new products you will find their 2-Rail track listed. Also check out a recent issue of Model Railroader or O Scale Trains magazine. You will find track there. Now remember your Lionel 3-Rail equipment won't work on the 2-Rail track. Some modifications will need to be done if you want to do that. I didn't want to ruin the value of my Lionel so I just bought 2-Rail equipment to run on the 2-Rail track. Where do you live? There are O scale shows on the west coast, mid west and east coast and track is sold there, usually at a decent price. Greg Elems
Welcome to O! My wife and I are avid N scalers but my wife has a small O layout that is considered high rail. The track is MTH three rail and we are using the MTH DCS system to power the line. MTH and Atlas make some great locomotives in both two and three rail. Here are a few pictures of our latest locomotives.... Here is Tina's new MTH Rail King ACL Geep 7 with proto sounds. It is filled with sounds and options. Here is my Premiere scale Chicago Central & Pacific Geep 30, it too has proto 2.0.
Here is a shot of the overall layout. The layout is 4 feet by 14 feet and is small for a 0-31 layout. I too don't like a lot of the plans for O so I built mine like a simple operations layout, an oval and siding with a switching area near the station. The buildings are scale and are from MTH, Walthers and Life Like. The layout is not a scale layout just a fun layout, I leave my rivit counting with the N scale layout.:teeth:
