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i am considering getting into the o gauge hobby and i have some very basic questions

 

first, hopefully i am in the correct forum

 

lionel was the only product available when i was a kid, but i see an o gauge distributer called mth (less expensive) 

 

do people mix and match - for example if i were to buy a transformer from meh, would it work on lionel products or do you risk losing some of the bells and whistles (literally) - is the rolling stock compatible

 

another question is am i better served buying through the internet or working through a dealer

 

would appreciate any comments and suggestions

 

thank you

 

     jpc

 

 

 

 

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IMO, I would go with Lionel Command Control locomotives for all the bells and whistles you're talking about. I tried MTH's system in the '90's and found it much more difficult to negotiate around to get proper operation (too counter intuitive for my thick skull).

 

I would say all O-gauge rolling stock is compatable with one another. The one constraint would be minimum radius requirement for the longer cars.

 

It would be nice dealing with a local hobby store for your purchases, so that you can get instant feedback for your questions with visual reenforcement in many instances. Example: He should have a layout or test track to demonstrate the operation of locomotives and controls.

 

Have fun!

Hi JPC, welcome!

Part of the fun of the hobby for me is internet research - there's a WEALTH of information, as well as a wealth here.  There's a youtube video by Eric Siegel that explains the ins and outs of Lionel and MTH compatibility:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caIPXwkqNb4&feature=plcp

Take your time and let your style and interest develop.  What works for someone else may not work for you.  I've known guys that "just got into the hobby" only to spend tons of money and get burned out really quickly.

 

Carlton

Originally Posted by jpc:

i am considering getting into the o gauge hobby and i have some very basic questions

 

first, hopefully i am in the correct forum

 

lionel was the only product available when i was a kid, but i see an o gauge distributer called mth (less expensive) 

 

do people mix and match - for example if i were to buy a transformer from meh, would it work on lionel products or do you risk losing some of the bells and whistles (literally) - is the rolling stock compatible

 

another question is am i better served buying through the internet or working through a dealer

 

would appreciate any comments and suggestions

 

thank you

 

     jpc

 

 

 

 

Last question first...

 

As a new person to the O Gauge hobby, by all means deal with a local hobby shop if at all possible.  You may save a couple of bucks buying off the internet, but the LHS can show you the options available to you and anwser questions as they occur.

 

MTH, Lionel, Williams by Bachmann, Weaver, Atlas O are all compatible at the basic level.  They will run on each other's track, couple to each other locomotives and rolling stock and can be controlled "conventionally," meaning a basic transformer ant wo wires going to the track.  Lionel and MTH both have transformers that will provide adequet conventional control.  What you get fuctionally with conventional is Forward-Neutral-Reverse-Neutral sequence control, along with speed, bell and whistle control.

 

The slipery slope is command control.  There are two main systems in O.  Lionel's TMCC/Legacy and MTH's DCS system.  Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.  This is where a local dealer comes in handy again.

 

Either system has a rather large initial investment, although MTH offers a basic DCS system with their starter train sets.  Others on this forum are more familiar with the subtilties of these two systems than I. 

 

I would leave command control for a later day when you become a little more familiar with the O Gauge hobby.

 

Good luck and welcome!

 

Rusty

Jumping in about 4 years ago, I was about where you are now.  The internet provides lots of great resources.

 

Buying locally or online is a matter of your preference.  Often, local expertise is worth a few dollars more in out-the-door prices.

 

I would highly recommend that you look for a local O gauge club in the area - when I got interested, I was lucky enough to join a great group that was just 15 minutes from home - Boothe Memorial Railway Society, in CT.  They were very welcoming and had lots of answers for my many questions and ideas! 

 

And stick around the forum - lots of help available and plenty of opinions!

 

Ed

I would go with an MTH set. Engines already have Proto 2/3 operating system. No operating modules required. You can also download other sounds, etc from the internet. As you become more addicted to O gauge, you can expand to include other manufactures locos. I, personally would highly recommend buying MTH Z-4000 transformer as it is a long-term invstment and has a great reliability record. To the Forumite who had an issue with early MTH, take another look. MTH has high quality7, a vast arrya of products, better technology , consistant focus and management.

I know it sounds like I'm a MTH fan,,,,which I am! Dave G.

Originally Posted by jpc:

first, hopefully i am in the correct forum

 

lionel was the only product available when i was a kid, but i see an o gauge distributer called mth (less expensive)...do people mix and match - for example if i were to buy a transformer from meh, would it work on lionel products or do you risk losing some of the bells and whistles (literally) - is the rolling stock compatible

 

...am i better served buying through the internet or working through a dealer

 

1.  Yes, you are on the correct forum.  Welcome!

 

2.  Yes, you most definitely can "mix and match" MTH, Lionel and other products (Williams by Bachmann, Weaver, Atlas, RMT, etc.).  With a conventional transformer (as compared to digital command control) virtually all items--locomotives, rolling stock, accessories and the related basic features such as smoke, whistle, bell, etc.--are interchangeable between manufacturers.  Things get a bit more complicated when digital command control is considered (Lionel TMCC/Legacy and MTH DCS), but at this point that's not something for you to be terribly concerned about.  In fact, I would suggest you not get involved with either digital command system until you become a bit more familiar with what is available out there in the broader O gauge hobby in terms of brands, track systems, road names you may prefer, and so forth.  Do NOT allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the choices--there are tons of choices out there--and do not leap into one thing or another until you have taken a good look around for yourself.

 

You are almost always better served by working with a local dealer, if at all possible.  If that is not a possibility, try to find a reliable online dealer that you can establish a relationship with.  There are many good ones around, and the one you pick should be one that normally stocks the lines and items that most interest you.  At least that is a good place to start.

Last edited by Allan Miller

JPC

 

Welcome to the world of O gauge, there are as many opinions about which manufacturer to go with as there are days in a year, kinda like the old Chevy/Ford argument.  Take your time and check them all out as each has it advantages and disadvantages.  I agree with eddiem if you can find one join a local club, there will be a wealth of knowledge there.  I noticed from your profile you are in VA; Google the Virginia Train Collectors and the Southeastern division of the TCA.  They both have quarterly train shows across VA and NC there you can see and actually examine all kinds of equipment and gather a great deal of information. Take it slow, visit other layouts, ask plenty of questions (there is no such thing as a dumb question) and most of all make it enjoyable.  And if there is a local hobby shop nearby, by all means, use it as a resource.  As the others here have said: "many times their knowledge is worth the extra cost".  Keep us informed as you develop you railroad empire, we'll be here for you when you have questions.

Originally Posted by jpc:

i am considering getting into the o gauge hobby and i have some very basic questions

 

lionel was the only product available when i was a kid, but i see an o gauge distributor called mth (less expensive) 

 

. . .

 

another question is am i better served buying through the internet or working through a dealer

 

 

 

 

 

I prefer Lionel, some prefer MTH, some prefer Weaver, Williams and Atlas - you'll find your own favorite.

 

I think this is pretty good advice: 

 

If you don't have any trains at present, find something "safe" you like. Safe can be a number of things. If dollars are your primary concern, then a low cost set. If you have some financial latitude, then get something that really rings your bell. Perhaps a Santa Fe passenger set - a hit in any man's league - or something with some interesting freight cars. You'll know what you like when you see it.

 

Then hide your wallet for at least six months.

 

During this six months, read this forum, or the other premium content forum with appeal to the O Gauge Hobbyist (dot com). Look at lots of pictures, read people's opinions. Look at layouts, look at how people have addressed space constraints, control systems, etc, etc. Ignore the blowhards who pontificate their way being the best way (they're easy to spot). Ignore brand warfare and which control system is better - once you know more, you'll be in a better position to make your own informed decision.

 

If there is a train store near you, visit it often and after six months, support it if you can. If you have a good shop, you can learn a lot there and if you end up paying a few bucks more, it's a small price to pay for expertise.

 

This hobby has a vicious bug and it bites hard. Most folks entering the hobby get the bug and make purchases they will later regret. For example, you might purchase some operating accessories and then decide you want to build a realistic layout - the two don't mix too well. Then you end up with a bunch of accessories you don't use.

 

During this time, you can run your trains on a ping pong table, on the carpet, wherever you want to get your fix. Assess your available space and learn from the mistakes of others. 

 

After six or so months, you'll have a better feel for what you want to do and what resources are available. You'll have saved a bunch of money and have a more informed and focused approach.

 

One other item, when you build your layout, use the largest diameter curve sections your space will allow. If your future interests include large locomotives, they will run on big curves - like o72. If you don't go for large locomotives, your small engines will look much better on big curves. 

 

I think many folks will agree that learning more before diving in gives you the best chance for long term enjoyment of the hobby.

When I first saw this thread, I gave it a quick look and thought... there will be plenty of advice offered, here. Then I moved on...

 

For some reason, I thought about you and what may possibly lie ahead...

 

I then thought back to what I did, how I started and progressed; and where I am today.

 

Common sense should tell you to become informed, and one of the best ways to become informed is through experience. The "experience" itself(buying, running trains, building stuff, fixing broken things, swearing, more swearing, being mad, being pumped waiting for your new arrival, meeting friends, sharing with friends, meeting me on this forum, wanting more, your interest waxing and waning, swearing you'll never buy another of these pieces of **** again, buying lots more of these pieces of ****, considering building another new layout, building a new layout, trying different types of equipment...) is O gauge railroading.

 

There's no official entrance or route, into O gauge model railroading. Just walk in... any way you want.

 

 

Rick

Do you want to model 2-rail or 3-rail?  This would be my 1st question to answer.

Do you want to model scale trains or toy trains?

Do you want to run using a (1) command control system or (2) Conventional AC power?

How much room do you have, in other words...What's your minimum radius going to be? 2-rail track comes according to radius (72" radius is 72" radius), 3-rail comes according to diameter (072 is 36" radius)

 

You have a variety of manufacturers to choose from:

Lionel

MTH

Atlas

Weaver

3rd Rail/Sunset/Golden Gate Depot

Williams By Bachmann

(there's a few other makers of engines and rolling stock, but these are the big guys)

 

And can spend as little as $10 for a well used engine or $5000 plus for a brass scale model.

 

Take your time to decide, there's more than one way to go about this.

Command Control engines are operated from a "walk-around" hand held remote and and have potential to electronically operate many features. But for many folks the key feature of command is ability to easily run more than one train in the same power district, block section or oval. You can for example double-head or run multiple engines linked together.

 

In Conventional you are normally operating by using transformer throttle handles to control engines while residing at one spot----a "Control Panel". But, Conventional can also be operated from a hand held remote by linking a Track Power Controller[TPC] or similar controller to the transformer.

However in Conventional, one cannot run multiple engines in the same power district without setting up a traditional "Cab Control System" of insulated track blocks. Many, such as myself run both in Command and Conventional controlling from the remote since we have both  command and conventional[postwar, Thomas the Tank,etc,] engines that we favor.

 

Some might good advice in all the posts above--good luck and happy railroading! 

 

Welcome

 

 

Our Forum is great for answers and getting vendor recommendations.

Alan didn't mention it but a subscription to O-Gauge Magazine will introduce you to many places to spend your money. I have to 2 local stores which are 3,000 and 1,700 miles away from my house. Nothing very nears to me unfortunately.

The wisdom on this forum and people who are willing to help has kept me from getting overly frustrated with my lack of knowledge in most areas of this hobby.

 

Originally Posted by jpc:

i am considering getting into the o gauge hobby and i have some very basic questions

 

first, hopefully i am in the correct forum

 

This is by far the best, most popular O gauge forum I've ever come across.

 

lionel was the only product available when i was a kid, but i see an o gauge distributer called mth (less expensive) 

 

I don't think MTH is any less expensive than Lionel.

 

do people mix and match - for example if i were to buy a transformer from meh, would it work on lionel products or do you risk losing some of the bells and whistles (literally) - is the rolling stock compatible

 

Yes on all accounts. Buy and run what you like.

 

another question is am i better served buying through the internet or working through a dealer

 

Local is better unless there is a huge price disparity.  

 

would appreciate any comments and suggestions

 

thank you

 

     jpc

 

 

 

 

Welcome JPC to the worlds greatest hobby. What ever path you take I'm sure you will enjoy every minute of it. Reading this forum is a huge help. I started by just reading everything I could here. One day the light goes on and it all makes sense. Im a huge fan of DCS from MTH and Legacy from Lionel, both are ways to command your trains. You can't go wrong with either one and if your budget allows both run smoothly on same layout in harmony. Again, welcome aboard. 

Originally Posted by jpc:

i am considering getting into the o gauge hobby and i have some very basic questions

 

first, hopefully i am in the correct forum YES, INDEED

 

lionel was the only product available when i was a kid, but i see an o gauge distributer called mth (less expensive) 

 

do people mix and match - for example if i were to buy a transformer from meh, would it work on lionel products or do you risk losing some of the bells and whistles (literally) - is the rolling stock compatible. IT IS COMPATIBLE, ALONG WITH ONE OR TWO OTHER BRANDS.

 

another question is am i better served buying through the internet or working through a dealer. FIND A GOOD LOCAL DEALER AND USE THE NET WHEN IT SERVES YOU.

 

would appreciate any comments and suggestions BEGIN WITH A STARTER SET TO SAVE MONEY. I RECOMMEND MTH RAILKING.

 

thank you

 

     jpc

 

 

 

 

Originally Posted by jpc:
do people mix and match - for example if i were to buy a transformer from mth, would it work on lionel products or do you risk losing some of the bells and whistles (literally) - is the rolling stock compatible

     jpc

jpc, my Run Room and website show a comprehensive mix of Postwar Lionel, Modern Lionel, Atlas O and MTH that has evolved while playing with toy trains.  My personal favorites are Lionel for accessories and MTH for running.

Run Room from the north end

Welcome to O gauge railroading.

 

I'm partial to MTH Imperial Railking offerings.

They have more detail than traditional engines but can run on tighter curves than Premier / Scale engines. They also cost less than the high end lines.

As far as Lionel, Williams, Atlas, ect. They are all fine products. I just have mostly MTH.

If you want info on Command Control you can drop me an email.

I run MTH DCS and Lionel TMCC at the same time. Eventually I'll upgrade to Legacy from TMCC but don't need it yet.

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
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