I recently dug out my old o gauge set from when I was a kid in the late 80’s to try and put together for my kids (boy 4 and girl 5) who are obsessed with anything machinery related.
I first setup the old tubular track and controller with my three engines (one MP15 KLine, and two older cheap Lionel plastic steam engines), nothing…no movement or light.
Went to the local shop here in Raleigh, and he set me up with new fasttrack and a new correct ac controller for the k-line. Got it home and they work!
The K-Line needs new traction tires, and is extremely noisy. One steam engine from the 60’s does not work, the other one works with my dc controller but not well and won’t pull any cars.
So I’m looking for a little direction on where to go next. I have many cars that are in great shape and some new in box, but nothing to pull it with that’s reliable. I’d like a new or used Diesel engine, I lean more modern in type and style. Ideally I’d like it to have a horn/bell/lights etc for the kids.
The track seems self explanatory, I just need more of it.
Would I be better just getting a new Lionel kit set with the wireless controller or just trying to look for a new locomotive by itself? What era or style loco would be best to look for?
Any good reading resources for me to brush up on this? I don’t want to get too deep into it without knowing if the kids are into it, but we don’t know now since what I have isn’t great.
