Jumping Into Tinplate

I have had experience with both new MTH track and USA. I have USA track and I'm very happy with it. The MTH track is in my opinion less quality construction than USA.  If your going to be setting up and breaking down the track for the holidays USA's track is very good quality and will hold up better.  We all want to save money where we can but in this case I think you get what you pay for! 

BeachHead2,

   Chris is giving you very sound advise, I will add only this to it.  The only way to use MTH ScaleTrax IMO is to have a permanent layout, never taking the MTH track up.  In your case a 10x16 is to large to store.

Follow Chris's advise he has one of the nicest layouts around.

PCRR/Dave 

BeachHead2,

My Christmas layout is 8x16 and its outer loop is Standard 072 USA tubular with an inner loop of Lionel Fasttrack O Gauge.  As Chris stated the USA tubular is superior and looks great on a retro Christmas layout.  If its a carpet layout see if you can  find some of Rick Johnson's rubber roadbed.  It really adds to the layout and helps for quiet running if you are operating on a platform.  The stuff isn't made anymore but you might find some on the buy/sell board or E-Bay.  Have fun.

unless you're the tree, the smaller scale/ gauges seem to have a better visual appearance running outside the larger scale/ gauge(s).

Don't skimp on the track, you will never be happy with it.  Have fun !!  Nothing like Standard gauge.

Beachhead2, nice going with the 392--great way to jump into tinplate!!

I agree, USA Track is a great value. Any chance you're going to York? If so, you might be able to arrange pickup there and save shipping; Kirk has done that for me in the past. Also, Henning's Trains is now a USA Track dealer; I don't know if pricing is any different with them, but worth a try; never hurts to ask. 

John

I have some USA Track and MTH/Lionel Track. USA is a little better, but for a Christmas Tree layout, I don't think it makes a difference, especially if you use the track clips, see below.

The Black 392E is a great choice: it looks good pulling freight or passenger sets. I have one, and I love it.

Two bits of advice:

1) Buy track clips to hold the track sections together, the O gauge one work with Standard Gauge track. I thought it was over kill and didn't buy them at first, until a track section came apart and derailed the train. No damage, but I don't want to ever see that happen again. These monsters are so heavy that they put a lot of force on the tracks, especially curves, the track clips will prevent the sections from separating.The track clips are fast and easy to put in and remove...I highly recommend it on a temporary layout that's not screwed down.

2) Use a pair of work gloves when assembling or dissembling your temporary layout. The sharp edges of the ties can really scratch up your hands.

Thanks everyone.  That's good to know about those clips.  I had an old G-scale layout that used something similar.  They really work.  For me, travelling to York would cost as much as another 392E so I'll have to contact USA about shipping.  Thanks again for the advice.

Mike,

When you get her running, please post a video.

Have fun!

You bet!  However, other than test track, it won't be set-up until November.  I have the C.O.'s approval for a 400E Blue Comet set too as long as it has red wheels.  Yes ma'am!  Now I really, really need MTH to come out some brass trim cars!

Mike,

Funny, I have the Blue Comet engine and cars with nickel trim, they can still be found if you want them now. 

Go with the USA Track!

Also, the OLDER MTH track with the BLUED ties rather than the painted ones was better quality if you can find some. 

Craignor posted:

Mike,

Funny, I have the Blue Comet engine and cars with nickel trim, they can still be found if you want them now. 

I was ready to pull the trigger on that set but my wife and kids really like the red wheel 400E.  As you know, that has brass trim.  So I'm waiting on the brass trim cars which I've been told will be in the next catalog.  I thought about saying screw it and getting the nickel trim cars with the brass engine but I wasn't sure how that would look and I didn't want to regret it.  That is a fine looking collection there.  Hope to join you soon.

Mike,

Yeah, I think the sets looks best either all nickel, or all brass, not mixed up.

I was fortunate to find a dealer last summer that had the entire set in stock.

Not sure where modern tinplate is going ...
No new catalog since 2016 and I read on this forum somewhere that the MTH deal with Lionel expires in 2020, can anyone confirm this ?
I am starting to think what is out there is it ... for MTH LCT that is.

MTH made blue State cars with brass trim.  Just a bit bigger than Comet cars, but match a 400E.

yamawho posted:

Not sure where modern tinplate is going ...
No new catalog since 2016 and I read on this forum somewhere that the MTH deal with Lionel expires in 2020, can anyone confirm this ?
I am starting to think what is out there is it ... for MTH LCT that is.

That was me spreading that rumor about the contract expiring in 2020.  Doesn't mean it can't be renewed though!  The person who told me that is the same person who told me to expect a 2018 tinplate catalog in April and there will be brass trim comet cars.  A certain big tinplate dealer out of Maryland. 

What rolling stock do you have/are getting?

Brian Liesberg posted:

What rolling stock do you have/are getting?

200 series cars for now.  I know they're big but there are a few that are available only in 200 that I really want.  So I'm starting there.  I'd like some red passenger cars to swap out but I haven't been able to locate any.

overlandflyer posted:

unless you're the tree, the smaller scale/ gauges seem to have a better visual appearance running outside the larger scale/ gauge(s).

If you were trying to achieve forced perspective, you would run the larger gauge in front. I have been toying with this, but I think the only way it works is if the smaller scale is elevated somewhat and there is sufficient separation between the two sets of track. 

Since this is going around a tree, I think Gary is right.

George

George S posted:

overlandflyer posted:

unless you're the tree, the smaller scale/ gauges seem to have a better visual appearance running outside the larger scale/ gauge(s).

If you were trying to achieve forced perspective, you would run the larger gauge in front. I have been toying with this, but I think the only way it works is if the smaller scale is elevated somewhat ...

there's a good idea!  i did consider the forced perspective does work the way you describe but as you also said, for it to work well it takes separation which is hard to get in an around-the-tree layout.  my concern with these small circuits is that the O scale train would be eclipsed by the Std Gauge train much of the time.

i have a Girard passenger set i pull behind a 392, but there you're talking about 8-9 feet of train.  i much prefer a smaller 384 w/ 3-4 freight cars on a floor loop.

have fun! ...gary

For the record, I'm with you Gary but this year is going to be a little chaotic.  I started out with a pretty elaborate O layout under the tree with reverse loops, turnouts, etc. and I'm fairly heavily invested in the FasTrack.  So for at least this coming season, I'm sticking with the Std. gauge loop on the perimeter.  I may squeeze in a STD42 loop directly under the tree if anyone will sell me a 384/385/390?!  After this year I'll be ready for a complete redesign.  Or more to the point, by that time my O basement layout should be up and running.  Then I'll ditch the FasTrack and the tree layout can become strictly Std. gauge.  

UPDATE: I did order my track from Kirk at USA.  It arrived today already.  Thanks everyone.  I should note that the track was less than I thought ($220 and change to the door).  Also, my new 392E arrived today.  I'll get it set up soon and post a video (not that you guys haven't seen a 392E).

It would appear that I have failed in my efforts to provide a video of my 392E.  I put together my USA track loop on the carpet.  I've never used tube track before.  That stuff is a b to get together!  It works great though.  I hooked up a DCS Explorer unit to the track.  Everything worked great except I realized that I can't shoot video with my phone if I'm using the MTH app to control the train.  So I fetched an old point and shoot camera and took a very perfunctory video of it.  Now I just tried to attach the video and I get an error.  I'm assuming it's because the video is 200 Mb.  Just letting you know that for now I'm saying "screw it" since I already broke down the loop.  Suffice it say, the 392E is an awesome piece of gear.  I can't wait to get my 390 and 400.  Thanks for everyone for inspiring me to get into Standard Gauge.

Nice going, Beachhead2. If you decide to add a siding, I highly recommend the ones made by Ross Custom Switches. With those 3 locos as your starters, there's no going back!!

John

Beachhead

 We set up a seasonal way out every year and I have found the USA track to be 2nd to none the guys are excellent to work with easy to work with and the quality is so much better than 10 that the uses a thicker gauge and it's much more rigid than the any mth track.

Also you won't be disappointed with that 392EI think you'll be blown away when you see it in person picks and videos don't do it Justice I found that out with my black and brass 400 E.

Joe Gozzo 

Beachhead,

   A great deal of sound advise being given in this Thread, heed the advise.

Long ago my Grandfather lost his Standard Gauge Trains in house fire, fortunately the Lionel O Gauge Tin Plate had already been moved to my Fathers home, so we still have it.  

Now that I have my own Train Room in our new house, I plan to add a big loop of Standard Gauge, running a little above floor level, using the 14' Bar in my Train Room as a Big Tunnel, similar to what I engineered with our O Gauge Layouts.   I would like very much to have a Standard Gauge AF Silver Presidential Train, to run in our home once again.

PCRR/Dave

The 14' Bar Tunnel with the O Gauge Train layouts.