HONGers-Questions about Tyco and Lionel HO

Generally, Tyco and some  Lifelike are the least expensive and therefore not of the best quality.  Some may differ but this is my own observation.  The track can be cleaned like any other using a hard eraser, scotch brite and alcohol.  The connections must be secure.

Tyco steam locos that were the old Mantua die cast where decent. Older units had open frame motors that work OK.  The cheapy Tyco and early Life-Like are trash. 

I'd not waste time cleaning brass track....NS track is too cheap. 

But if you must a solvent or old track cleaner bar. 

Believe it or not, the early Tyco was quality (for train set stuff).  I'm talking the early 60s here.  However, by the time the late 60s early 70s rolled around, they had become "disposable".  That is, a Christmas toy to be played with until the new wore off and then disposed of, or when it broke.

Therefore, if you like the looks of the Tyco you have, and if you think its worth keeping for your own visual pleasure: They'll be fine.

IF you want to dip your toe into the HO waters: Poor choices for such.  Get the quality of today's trains and nickel silver track. (NS track is not as nearly as fickle to keep clean as brass.)

Like my vintage Lindberg engines as I do, they truly are poor performers compared to today's HO offerings.  They are nostalgic and eye candy for me, and that's all.

To actually ENJOY HO trains: I turn to my modern releases on quality NS track.

Before throwing money at this why not just get a piece of plywood and screw the track down so you can see how all your engines and rolling stock run? if you don't have a brite boy eraser you can just use a piece of 400 grit sandpaper and a block of wood to clean the track.

If some of the engines don't run so well try taking them apart to see whats going on. That will help you appreciate the good designs from the bad ones if you decide to persue this further.

Pete

nice reading about Tyco here,http://tycotrain.tripod.com/tycotrains/id62.html     there was a person on the bay who would sell the locos with a new non Tyco motor

several how to repair videos on youtube    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf6PmLuHqtU

Kato sells power loco chassis maybe get the measurements and mount your old shell on one?

I agree with the others about early vs later Tyco.  Micro Mark sells a nice motor and all kinds of attaching parts, if you're brave.

Question:  Marx HO sets contained a silver-colored track back when brass was considered state of the art.  Was that nickel silver, or what?

The Marx set I had used some kind if stamped, upside-down U-shaped silver rail, probably tin, on fiber ties.  It wasn't compatible with any other HO track.

Rusty

If the diesel motor trucks are made of metal, and say 'Tyco' or 'Tyco/Mantua' on them, they'll run fairly decent if cleaned and lubed. If they're plastic motor trucks, they're not worth messing with. Save the shell though, they'll generally fit an Athearn 'blue box' chassis.

The detail on the cars is about the same as old Athean 'blue box' stuff. They're fairly easy to upgrade by body mounting couplers and replacing the trucks. If you pop the original trucks off, fill the hole with J.B. Weld 4-Minute epoxy and let set over night. File smooth, then drill and tap for a 2-56 screw to mount the truck of your choice.

Tyco diesels after 1960 run awful ...I know I own about 48 of them.

Here is a video (long) of a 1959 Tyco  CP Set # T5908

This loco is cleaned and lubed and the track is spotless...

Pre 59...different story ... the diesels (a poor representative of a Baldwin shark)

ran great and also held up for 100s of hours unlike there post 1960 counterparts.