Collecting scale and toy trains?

You could put me in that category- though I have a couple scale locomotives in O gauge, most of what I have is traditional. However, I'm also into HO, and all of it is scale.  So yes, I collect and appreciate both.

Collect and run prewar, postwar, and scale.  Works for me.

Lou N

Like Mike I also collect post war, modern scale and am still into HO. Toy trains, scale models, its all good.

Pete

I collect what i like and I like almost all trains.

I prefer prewar. Not buying much more at this point, but lots of bargains are out there on the originals (as opposed to the repros).

Tom

I do not consider myself a collector, but I operate O scale (post war and modern Lionel and MTH), G scale (Garden trains),     Prewar Tin Plate, HO and N gauge trains. Quite a lot to keep up with but it keeps me busy.

I collect all of Lionel...from 1945 to some of the new scale items of today. Also vintage Plasticville, vehicles, etc.

I have  all the scale premium sets from the past 16 years along with the entire PWC series, and Conventional Classics, and they all work well and look good together. I prefer the toy rail look. Some nice colorful scenery with Plasticville and Lionel accessories. I collect what I like. Whether its Toy or Scale,

Most of my trains are O gauge, but there will be the occasional HO and OO, plus I do like standard gauge, G gauge and S gauge.

But I run everything from some postwar pieces to all the new Legacy equipment. The majority of my O collection is Lionel made during Dick Kughn's era (1987-1995), and those pieces feel like a good combination of scale and toy.

I COLLECT Marx with the tilt fork coupler, but l want what l run to be a model, not a caricature. (this all diluted by the third rail, of course) 

Bill:  I started with my father collecting Lionel PW and still acquire occasional PW Items mostly now modern scale and tradtional with the power being  1st and 2nd generation diesel and steam normally with the big red Keystone on them (PRR). Someday will have another layout to run them on.

I have about 50% postwar, 20% postwar re-issues, and about 30% modern era Legacy/TMCC scale can motor equipment.

I started in HO, so I still collect certain scale pieces there. No layout, so it's pure collecting.

I switched to N scale in college and amassed a large number of scale locomotives and freight cars, with an occasional nod to some of the early N scale toy trains, in 20 years and am still selectively adding to the collection. I still have my original N scale layout, so it's not strictly a static collection. I do occasionally run the trains.

I at first delved slowly into three-rail O gauge in the early 1990s, and then it became my principle interest a few years later. It's not really a display collection, per se. I run the scale stuff at a club and O-27 stuff (and short scale stuff) at home.

As far as 3r scale goes, you could say I'm both a collector and operator.  I run my scale trains, but don't have room on my small layout to have more than one or two on the tracks at once.

I also collected Lionel PW for a while, but then I realized that I pretty much had all the postwar items I ever wanted, and haven't bought anything for a long time.

Then last year, my sister got me interested in Marx, and I've been getting the more interesting locomotives (999; 333; 666; CV) running on my tinplate loop ever since.

There's always something.

If it fits on the track, I like it.

if you read early articles about model trains, it won't take you long to gather that more realism was always the goal of this hobby, but it took a number of decades before technology caught up.  HO models could not exist in the 20's because fractional hp electric motors weren't small enough yet.  price effective details through plastics could not exits in the 40's because the processes were yet to be commercially viable for toys.  even scale brass models took about 4 - 5 decades to evolve into the super detailed and smooth running models currently available.

i collect and run old "toy" trains because they are part of the history of the hobby.  i collect and operate some much newer and more realistic models because, like the pioneers of the hobby, that is also my goal.  probably why i remain puzzled at the fascination some modelers have for tinplate reproductions.

cheers...gary

I'm far more discerning when it comes to my trains. In the early 80's I gave up all other scales to focus on 3 rail O. Then in the early 2000's I took the final step to only scale equipment. I have tons of stuff that I will never use again, and would love to get rid of.

I love my new and shiny standard gauge MTH Blue Comet and State sets plus my Lionel Classics standard gauge repros. Could not afford originals in perfect condition that I reguire! Also run 3 rail scale O, LGB, gauge 1 Marklin, Aster & Roundhouse Engineering live steam, HO & N!

IT IS ALL GOOD!  :-) I also had Marx and Flyer S gauge in my youth.

I really don't collect, but I have a mix of all modern command control Railking Imperial and Premier stuff with a few Lionel scale pieces thrown in. Since getting back into the hobby in 2011, starting with a couple of MTH ready to run sets, I am now slowly switching to all scale sized train items. Still have a few of the smaller RK items though. I don't have any prewar or postwar items, it's command control only for me.

Tinplate Art posted:

I love my new and shiny standard gauge MTH Blue Comet and State sets plus my Lionel Classics standard gauge repros. Could not afford originals in perfect condition that I reguire! Also run 3 rail scale O, LGB, gauge 1 Marklin, Aster & Roundhouse Engineering live steam, HO & N!

I'm in the same boat for the highlighted aspects.

I originally got involved enjoying many of the modern versions of PW classic pieces in the late 1990's (Century Club I as an example).  I also liked the addition of TMCC for items where that was offered (I'm more of a PWC fan than Conventional Classics fan for this reason).  So I like PW style trains, but have maybe only one or 2 insignificant actual PW pieces (think I have a single stop signal and maybe a track cleaner car I bought because of the Jim Barrett article on how to modify one).

I also like a lot of the modern scale pieces or sets, but I'm not by any means counting the rivets.

So I think I qualify as liking both.

Not to derail the original question, but back to the concept of condition, the recent downturn (IMO) of initial quality out of the box is causing me to re-evaluate many pre-orders. 

-Dave

Lionel Classics, and the earlier Tinplate Traditions have better quality finishes then the LCT reproductions from my personal purchases including the Brute and the Showroom cars!  :-(

I collect/operate Lionel Legacy 3Rail Scale equipment, strictly O Guage, and mix the rolling stock with MTH, ATLAS O, and also have TMCC, ATLAS O Masterline Engines...I really like the Realism Offerred today...I also have LGB Trains running high on the walls of my train room...Wow! 

Lionel:  late prewar, postwar, MPC. Some Williams and MTH Railking. ALL of it is conventional control. 

Postwar is still my favourite mode, although I don't consider myself a collector - even tho' I have a few hard-to-find items.  I also pick up some MTH passenger cars, a few Pecos River cars and a bit of Marx for pure nostalgia. I love fixing and restoring postwar, and have lots of original and repro parts.

My 14 year-old loves HO, so we're building him a layout with some nice but inexpensive rolling stock. Just me, but I can't help but wonder about people who spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an empty box, but then I like getting original boxes with the trains I buy. Whatever floats your boat, as they say, as long as it's not putting the family into a hobo shack...

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

I'm far more discerning when it comes to my trains. In the early 80's I gave up all other scales to focus on 3 rail O. Then in the early 2000's I took the final step to only scale equipment. I have tons of stuff that I will never use again, and would love to get rid of.

Suggestion:

Once your layout is fully up and running, assemble these (meaning presumably, the non-scale O-Gauge) into a series of "hospital trains*", give 'em one last whirl on the layout and make a video of it for posterity as they exit your operating universe

---PCJ

*(At one point I thought this term was for trains of damaged equipment being moved from a wreck site, but it actually seems to be reserved for rail-borne medical-facilities. Perhaps a better term would be "funeral trains")

My emphasis has always been on pre-war and post-war Lionel and Marx in O gauge and American Flyer in S Gauge but I have dabbled in the scale size stuff to an extent; especially the early scale sized engines.   The prices got out of hand for me as things progressed and I also grew weary  of out of box failures.  80% to 90% of what I own and operate is pre and post-war O Gauge.  Nevertheless, I do enjoy the sounds and marvelous detail on the scale sized engines.

I think I understand where you were intending to go with this thread, So Yes, in the late 1940's, early 1950's, Lionel and Gilberts Anerican Flyer, and Marx were the three top choices of Electric Trains....All were competing with each other, Marx on price mostly tin plate, Lionel with die-cast steamers, and American Flyer with S Guage 2 rail Scale appearance....Yes, those Were the days of running trains, adding cars, track, Sectional, buying accessories, Coal Outfits, Lumber Outfits, The good ole Milk Car outfit, cattle loaders, horse loaders, Rocket Launchers, All kinds of add Ons to keep Our Interest....Then Lionel made the F3 Sante Fe and NYC, So Scale Looking.....And The Dream was Now in Our Minds....So, as we kids grew up, met Young Ladies, went to College or took up a Trade, then, years later, Began back in the Hobby, with a little Cash, we started buying Trains again...It then went toward more Realism for myself....Gargraves track was so real looking, and Sounds became a part of our running trains, then, realistic scenery became necessary, and You see where I am Going....In the late 90's, MTH, Mike Wolf began the real push for Scale operation, Lionel was forced to do the same, and as the War Began for our Dollars, this has turned out to be the Best Times if Our Hobby....Therefore, I put away most of the toy look, for the more Scale Look....It's all in all, the Best of Times for Us, the Senior Kids that Love Trains.....Yes Command Control, and now Blue Tooth w/Wifi.....This can go on and on and On.....Happy Railroading..

No interest in owning new or recently made scale trains.

I have some interest in old "scale" models, which I doubt would meet the expectations of todays scale enthusiast. 
The only locomotives I have are:
GMC two rail switcher kit - never built but missing the motor truck
GMC three rail factory assembled switcher

Maybe some day I'll find a power truck for my kit.

CharlieS posted:

No interest in owning new or recently made scale trains.

I have some interest in old "scale" models, which I doubt would meet the expectations of todays scale enthusiast. 
The only locomotives I have are:
GMC two rail switcher kit - never built but missing the motor truck
GMC three rail factory assembled switcher

Maybe some day I'll find a power truck for my kit.

I think we are in the minority here with not wanting modern stuff.

I will add that each person's preference is up to him/her, but having said that, to me, there is something special about prewar (and for others...postwar). To have the locomotives "Made in the USA" when quality was important and the pieces could run for a long, long time, that is so cool. Many of my locomotives are 78-ish years old now. to think that they can easily, with proper maintenance, make another 78-80 years, is amazing to me. Not to disparage the modern stuff, but things seem so much easier with the "vintage" equipment, in terms of repairs and longevity.

Tom

While I prefer Postwar Lionel as it runs great, is super durable, simple and just plain fun to operate, I do have some modern scale items which I also enjoy. It all depends on what mood I am in as to what I run. I try to run items that to me look good running together such as all traditional or all scale looking items. As for scenery with accessories, buildings ect., I have a mixture of both toy like Postwar Lionel stuff and realistic items. To me the traditional accessories, ect look fine next to more realistic items. However,  I try to place over sized Lionel accessories closer to the viewer and scale items at a distance to give an illusion of greater distance.

I think we are in the minority here with not wanting modern stuff.

Probably so.
Or it could be that their are others here, but they just don't have much to "say".
All I know is that there are still plenty of questions on how to repair older trains.

And there is no way of knowing how the "O" gauge community at large feel.
There are still plenty of older trains being sold at train shows and on EBay.
Plus, the prices of things that interest me are certainly back on the upswing.

leapinlarry posted:

I think I understand where you were intending to go with this thread, So Yes, in the late 1940's, early 1950's, Lionel and Gilberts Anerican Flyer, and Marx were the three top choices of Electric Trains....All were competing with each other, Marx on price mostly tin plate, Lionel with die-cast steamers, and American Flyer with S Guage 2 rail Scale appearance....Yes, those Were the days of running trains, adding cars, track, Sectional, buying accessories, Coal Outfits, Lumber Outfits, The good ole Milk Car outfit, cattle loaders, horse loaders, Rocket Launchers, All kinds of add Ons to keep Our Interest....Then Lionel made the F3 Sante Fe and NYC, So Scale Looking.....And The Dream was Now in Our Minds....So, as we kids grew up, met Young Ladies, went to College or took up a Trade, then, years later, Began back in the Hobby, with a little Cash, we started buying Trains again...It then went toward more Realism for myself....Gargraves track was so real looking, and Sounds became a part of our running trains, then, realistic scenery became necessary, and You see where I am Going....In the late 90's, MTH, Mike Wolf began the real push for Scale operation, Lionel was forced to do the same, and as the War Began for our Dollars, this has turned out to be the Best Times if Our Hobby....Therefore, I put away most of the toy look, for the more Scale Look....It's all in all, the Best of Times for Us, the Senior Kids that Love Trains.....Yes Command Control, and now Blue Tooth w/Wifi.....This can go on and on and On.....Happy Railroading..

Please don't randomly capitalize words. It's very distracting.

Jim R. 

Jim R, Please don't criticize someone else's grammar / punctuation etc. on the forum. It's very elitist and belittling. We're from all walks of life here,  and not everyone posting on the forum is a journalist or college graduate. 

John

BlueComet400 posted:

"Please don't randomly capitalize words. It's very distracting."

Jim R. 

Jim R, Please don't criticize someone else's grammar / punctuation etc. on the forum. It's very elitist and belittling. We're from all walks of life here,  and not everyone posting on the forum is a journalist or college graduate. 

John

There's nothing wrong with properly formed sentences.  I agree with Jim R. that I wish people would take more care with typing their thoughts for others to read.  Plus the amount of ellipses is just staggering.

Some people are easily distracted.

Blue comet, sorry if I annoy you with capital letters, it's just that sometimes l try to make a point by using capitalization. No offense intended to anyone. We each have different personalities and this is mine. I will try to do better. Please overlook my short comings. Happy Railroading.

Leapinlarry, it wasn't me--I was responding to Jim R's remark about your use of capital letters.  Correcting someone else's grammar / spelling / punctuation etc. is just about as rude as it gets--especially in public. I understand he's a journalist, but that doesn't mean the rest of us are masters of the English language. We all do our best to make our points here, and that should be enough; after all, we're talking about toy trains. 

On topic, Yes, I do have/collect both scale and traditional trains ( I guess depending on your definition).  I also love prewar tinplate trains.  they all run together on my layout with the exception of two rail scale.  I'm on/off on making the elevated section of my layout at least gargraves so I can run some inside and outside 3rd rail and two rail stuff.  I like what I like and do what I want with regards to the trains.  I'll even take older scale kit type cars and put prewar Lionel trucks and couplers on them just because I like the way they look and enjoyed seeing all the layouts published in Model Builder in the 1940's with similar combinations of tinplate and scale components.  Those layouts showed me you can spin that knob from tinplate to scale and back all in the same place and have a lot of fun doing it.  That is my goal.

I didn't intend this to turn into a whole point of discussion, so, leapinlarry, I should point out that your comments (minus the capitalization) on the topic were appreciated and thought-provoking. And, yes, as an editor, I have to admit stylistic tricks in writing do bother me. It's part of my training. Never distract the reader. It only diminishes your points.

Back on topic in behalf of the original poster, NSBill:

As leapinlarry noted, the hobby has evolved in the three-rail O gauge realm over an 80-year span. What makes our segment of the hobby different isn't that evolution, but the fact that those kids of the 1940s and '50s became avid collectors of the toy trains as adults. General Mills, under Lionel MPC, recognized this and began producing trains not only for the mass market in terms of cheaper train sets, but also in products that were meant to appeal to the adult collector. Richard Kughn recognized that even more and thus further enhanced the product line under LTC.

So before the arrival of MTH into the marketplace, there was a strong adult collecting community that especially adored the traditional toy trains.

Mike Wolf did force Lionel and the hobby in general to shift toward a scale orientation. There must have been some demand for that approach, otherwise it wouldn't have continued until this day.

So, NSBill, you're not alone. Lots of people like both seeing traditional-sized trains on green-paint grass layouts as well as scale equipment on realistically scenicked landscapes. In the three-rail realm, I have never dismissed that original Lionel equipment which inspired a collecting craze unmatched by any other segment of model railroading, and it's obvious others feel the same way. Heck, I wish I could afford to buy a prewar Lionel Standard Gauge Blue Comet set just to display. But, alas, on a journalist's salary ...