I need a little info on tinplate

That engine, 11-6064-1, first appeared in the 2016 catalog.  I don't think it was ever part of a set.

@feet posted:

I want to get some o gauge tinplate trains. Modern tinplate.

I'm looking for steam locomotives and cars  but which numbers are o gauge?  Some listings are confusing as they say operates on all standard track

systems. I am having trouble finding this stuff. One engine i want is MTH 11-6064-1. I would rather buy a set with this engine in it.

Not sure about the numbers, but just about all the major dealers will note right in the item description if it's "Standard" gauge or "O" gauge.

Btw, there are many choices out there but one of the forum sponsors, Sidetrack Hobbies, has a good inventory of tinplate. Call Al Rudman there and tell him what you're interested in.

There is a whole synopsis on this.  I had the thread book marked but not sure where.  short short version=

200 and 500 series cars are standard gauge

600/2600 and 800/2800 series cars are O gauge.  600/2600 are smaller and shorter than 800/2800 series.

Engines don't follow the above convention.  I will try to follow up later, maybe somebody else can dig up that link with the explanation.

@jhz563 posted:

There is a whole synopsis on this.  I had the thread book marked but not sure where.  short short version=

200 and 500 series cars are standard gauge

600/2600 and 800/2800 series cars are O gauge.  600/2600 are smaller and shorter than 800/2800 series.

Engines don't follow the above convention.  I will try to follow up later, maybe somebody else can dig up that link with the explanation.

Thank you. This is a big help.

So O gauge tinplate sizes are all over the map. There's a big size difference and a 1/4" difference in coupler height.  Smaller tinplate locomotives are 258, 259e, 261e and 262e.  Larger tinplate locomotives are 249e, 260e, and 263e. This totally excludes stream lined engines and diecast examples.   

Since you are asking about mth, they made 261e models, but the most common was the 260e/ 263e.  These latter two are practically the same machine,  with a difference in the wheels mostly.

There are also several electric engine representatives but I am not very familiar with those.  More to come in a minute

Okay,  didn't want to lose what I already typed...

So please understand I am no expert, and I may make a mistake or two here but I think others will step up to help out.

Passenger cars are tricky.  O gauge cars primarily come as 600 series and 2600 series.   But beyond that 600 and 601 are larger.   603 and 604 are smaller.

Above the 600 is on the left and 603 on the right.   I don't have any 2600 series cars to show you.   My favorites however are my 710 series cars.  These are also made by mth. They are about as big across as you will find in O gauge.

Here's a 710 next to the 600 coach.

The 710 has latch couplers, the 600 has box couplers,  but they are the same height.

710 on the right, 600 on the left.

And to mess with your head,  603, 600, and 710.

As for engine size comparisons...

Above is a side by side between a usra 0-6-0 and a 261e, both mth.  A postwar us army 41 and a Hornby clockwork engine in the shots as well.

Now here is that same 261 in the middle,  a 263e on the left,  and a familiar face on the right.

Above are some more comparison shots between the red 261 and blue 263, with a RDC car for visual reference.

Getting back to cars I can show you a few. Let's look at cabooses.

On the left is a mth 2817, in the middle is an mth steel side scale caboose,  and on the right is the lionel traditional size Halloween caboose.

On the other end of the scale is a lionel 2600 series caboose,  2657 I think.

Here are some marx tinplate on the near track, with 2600 series on the center track behind the 261.  The marx cars are considered 3/16" size as opposed to 1/4".

Here we have 2600 series gondola on the left and a 2800 series car on the right. The green gondola has been modified by me to have a knuckle coupler on one end.   I highly recommend that everyone builds one of these,  it makes running mixed styles together possible and is a fun,  easy build.

This is all I can do for you right now.   I highly recommend the 263e you mentioned initially.   You could use 2600 series passenger cars or 710 series cars. A far warning,  710 series is cool looking but can be hard to come by.   

I hope this helps you add.  As a second warning,  tinplate is addictive- take a walk on the shiny side!

@jhz563 posted:

As for engine size comparisons...

Above is a side by side between a usra 0-6-0 and a 261e, both mth.  A postwar us army 41 and a Hornby clockwork engine in the shots as well.

Now here is that same 261 in the middle,  a 263e on the left,  and a familiar face on the right.

Above are some more comparison shots between the red 261 and blue 263, with a RDC car for visual reference.

Getting back to cars I can show you a few. Let's look at cabooses.

On the left is a mth 2817, in the middle is an mth steel side scale caboose,  and on the right is the lionel traditional size Halloween caboose.

On the other end of the scale is a lionel 2600 series caboose,  2657 I think.

Here are some marx tinplate on the near track, with 2600 series on the center track behind the 261.  The marx cars are considered 3/16" size as opposed to 1/4".

Here we have 2600 series gondola on the left and a 2800 series car on the right. The green gondola has been modified by me to have a knuckle coupler on one end.   I highly recommend that everyone builds one of these,  it makes running mixed styles together possible and is a fun,  easy build.

This is all I can do for you right now.   I highly recommend the 263e you mentioned initially.   You could use 2600 series passenger cars or 710 series cars. A far warning,  710 series is cool looking but can be hard to come by.   

I hope this helps you add.  As a second warning,  tinplate is addictive- take a walk on the shiny side!

Thank you. I was wondering if coupler height is the same and appears that it is. I like the box couplers. You have wonderful collection. Thanks for posting pictures of it.

@feet posted:

I want to get some o gauge tinplate trains. Modern tinplate.

I'm looking for steam locomotives and cars  but which numbers are o gauge?  Some listings are confusing as they say operates on all standard track

systems. I am having trouble finding this stuff. One engine i want is MTH 11-6064-1. I would rather buy a set with this engine in it.

Btw, I looked at the mth listing.   I have no idea why it mentions standard gauge track.  That is definitely an O gauge 263e.

Like others, your tinplate bug is biting after modern mth tinplate production has stopped.

SideTrack hobbies is great and has a great website.

B&F hobbies in Wakefield RI is usually pretty well stocked,  but you just have to call Frank and ask him what he has, but he does use the mth product locator.

Other hot spots for new in box tinplate are Pat's Trains,  Western Depot,  and Bradys Train outlet.

Keep us posted as to which way you jump.

@jhz563 posted:

Btw, I looked at the mth listing.   I have no idea why it mentions standard gauge track.  That is definitely an O gauge 263e.

Like others, your tinplate bug is biting after modern mth tinplate production has stopped.

SideTrack hobbies is great and has a great website.

B&F hobbies in Wakefield RI is usually pretty well stocked,  but you just have to call Frank and ask him what he has, but he does use the mth product locator.

Other hot spots for new in box tinplate are Pat's Trains,  Western Depot,  and Bradys Train outlet.

Keep us posted as to which way you jump.

I'm still looking for items. I did find 2 new engine i like. A forum member has a set i really like. Trouble is rolling stock is really hard to find. May have to buy pre war and refurbish it but it's scarce too.

feet,

Are you going with O gauge tin? If so, I have a good handful of O gauge tinplate rolling stock that I no longer use. It is all in great shape with boxes. If you are interested I can send pics. Shoot me an email. Mine is in my Profile.

@johnstrains posted:

feet,

Are you going with O gauge tin? If so, I have a good handful of O gauge tinplate rolling stock that I no longer use. It is all in great shape with boxes. If you are interested I can send pics. Shoot me an email. Mine is in my Profile.

Yes, 0 gauge tin. Want box couplers. Will Email you later.

Feet... I also have some Lionel O gauge culls that I am getting ready to sell. Shoot me an email if interested, these will be value priced.