What's up Thomas guys?  I am in to large scale, and happened across this thread..

In my experience with Lionel large scale, it is mostly junk.  That's why it didn't sell in large scale.  Not because there's no market for it.  I think there is a large market for large scale Thomas the tank engine trains.  The problem is that Lionel treats large scale as a 'niche' market.  When I was 12, I saved my birthday and christmas $$ and bought the then-new Lionel large scale Atlantic 4-4-2.  It was a dog from the day I first set it on the tracks, had a lot of problems and it was subsequently returned after having it repaired twice in six months.  That was in 1990, and it was the last piece of Lionel large scale I ever ran.  Lionel eventually pulled out of the large scale market, with the exception of the Christmas starter sets and the Thomas and James sets made in the late 90s early 00s.  It is too bad that Lionel doesn't put the same effort in to their large scale offerings as they do their O-27 line.

We are expecting our first child in a few days, and I will likely be buying him all sorts of Thomas the Tank stuff in the coming years.  It would be nice to have a Thomas to run on my garden rr, but  given the past experience, I know I will have my work cut out for me if I can even find a working Thomas. 

Mark

Cale,

While I was toying (no pun intended) with the idea of getting one, for the pure novelty of the lighted engine and caboose,  now I am not so sure.  My brother in law brought down his 05 Sam's set to run yesterday, and I forgot how nice that train looked and ran.   Almost makes me wish I had picked one up for me (but I did OK in 05 with the aristo mikado).

I don't think we can really blame Bachmann, they just make what Sam's orders...

Mark

While I am not so much a starter set guy,  I do like the idea of the lights on the loco, tender and caboose.  Kind of different, and while it might not appeal to all, I think it is neat.  The way my railroad runs outside, it would certainly look cool all lit up on a dark December night.  I'll have to keep an eye out for the after Christmas sale price.  If the price is right, it might join the roster, but I would need to repaint the valve gear and side rods immediately! 

Did the set come with knuckle or hook and loop couplers?

Mark

I posted this on MLS, but it would be appropriate here too..

Lights on a train.  Who would do such a thing?  Where would they get an idea for that? 

diesel...
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=239148

steam...
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=598930

hold your lunch...
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=566697
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=600883
I do agree with you guys that this set is a little too much...

So..this set is not really all that un-prototypical, for Holiday trains, that is!

Hey, if you're in to collecting sets, this one looks different from most of the ones they've offered in the recent past.  The Stock car is a change and the bobber caboose hasn't been used in a while, and the gon is always good for hauling stuff. 

I just checked out the 07 Sams set again on line.  Almost looks like the caboose has LEDs too.  Hey, for me, it might be a good choice with all the lights.  My backyard is really dark, and the a lighted train like this might look pretty cool on those dark nights in December.  Or around the tree, since I'll be getting up like 3 times a night (if I'm lucky) with 'Junior' arriving late next month! (That's if I have energy to put up a tree and a train!)

Bachmann-  could you comment on the LEDs in the caboose? Or is that just mock ups for that photo?

Mark

Also,

Aristo Euro style track and USA track seem to have a similar tie spacing.  The Aristo USA-style track has much smaller ties, but all will work together.

Good luck!

Mark

There are tons of places you can order track from.

Ridge Road Station
St. Aubins
Trainworld
Southeast Trains

FYI, Aristocraft, USA, and LGB all make code 332 brass track.  USA and Aristo are made in the same factory, or so it would appear. 

Back to the Future III featured Sierra Railroad's #3, a 4-6-0 "10-wheeler".

I don't quite have an On30 layout, but  I do have a double loop of HO scale track running on top of a bar in the basement that is really more of a display than a model:



I do have one On30 Trolley that gets quite a bit of use on the outer loop.  The inner loop is for running the Hornby Live steam mallard (OO scale).  I built this layout as a direct result of purchasing an HO scale New Haven I-4 Pacific last fall.  The bar was built using 2x4s, 2x6s, plywood, and some hollow core doors I found in the attic.  The railroad was rested on top of 3/8" plywood and cork roadbed.  In retrospect, better joint sections need to be made to ease transitions.  Hey, it was my first major building project, and it turned out pretty well.  The top of the bar is covered with some counter top laminate sheet.  The front of the bar has some 1/4" paneling, with molding along the edge. 

So far, I have only had one or two major mishaps with trains crashing to the floor!  I would like to get one of the new sound forneys and some low sided gon cars (for shot glass service...)

Mark

Bach-man,

Awesome! That's right when baby #1 is due (OCT 30!)  Now...to sneak it in as a gift for the BABY!

Mark

Bach-man,

I think you guys have really outdone yourselves with the Olive and Russia Iron.  The Lake one looks nice, too. Especially the wood cab. 

Any idea of the projected delivery date?  I think I might 'have' to have one for Christmas.... for the baby, of course. It'll be his first Christmas (he might just be 2 months old), and I need to set the bar high...right?!

Thanks,

Mark

Bruce,

Don't forget to add sound!!!  +250.  It'd be worth it.

Bach-man,

I was also looking for some photos of the new 1:20.3 4-4-0.  I saw a partial picture that someone else took.  From what I saw, it looked really really nice (especially the olive and russia iron.

Please post pictures of these new paint schemes, when you get a chance!

Thanks,
Mark

Scot,

Thanks!  Now I know what locomotive to get!  The one video I saw seemed to show the Forney going around what looked like 18" radius curves.  The coupler on the tender was hovering right over the outside rail.  Now I am glad that I laid the curves I did!

Mark

Ok,

Another question for you guys with the sound equipped versions.  I watched a few Youtube videos last night, and noticed  that the speed of the locomotive does not seem to match up well with the sound of the exhaust.  Several times, it seemed like the loco was moving, but the chuff would indicate that it was going a lot slower.  Then, the loco would slow down and stop, but the chuff rate would stay the same, then sort of catch up.  Is that how all of yours operate or is that straight DC vs DCC issues.  Is the sound activated by reed switches or by track voltage?

Thanks,

Mark

Thanks guys!

The trackwork is OK, not great.  There's a bit of an issue with the way the curve meets the straight.  Its easy enough to fix it, I just haven't yet.

As for the curves, the inner was set at 31.5" ; the outer at 33".   Well, I guess that means I'll just have to stop the outer train on the straight if I am running the Mallard.  I haven't had a problem when running the trolley, but it doesn't have much overhang anyway. 

I sure do like the look of that Forney. 

Thanks again for your comments!

Mark