Lionel 0-27 Trestle Sets

If you're talking about the postwar #111 set, then have no fear: it'll hold any engine that the track itself will support. I've run my MTH Railking Challenger on it with no problem. Very sturdy.

As far as the new set made for the Fastrack, that I don't know.

If you are talking about the 111/2111 style, they are what they are - 10 of the "A" bents just like those in the 110/2110 graduated(A-K x2 bents) set. They are both a means to an end, suspending the track rails and mid-section ties in mid-air by supporting the end ties at 8.75" intervals when used with O-27.

They do what they were made to do. They will support your train.

I like to put a trestle underneath the center ties on elevated curved tracks. If the curve is on a grade, then I use the shorter trestle, and make a spacer to fill the gap between the top of the trestle and the tie.

Thanks for the input - appreciate it. 

well I have purchased the 6-12037 graduated trestle set. what a load of cr** the pins dont fit through the holes properly, the supports are flimsy, and trying to get it all together is a nightmare. I will try to get some number 8 screws but the need to be only about under a quarter inch long, it looks as if this is going to be a waste of money for me in the UK, as I have only got to pier 6 and its already about 5ft long. dont wast your money guys. fIRST TIME i HAVE HAD ANYTHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT LIONEL PRODUCTS

JMO here, so try not to PHSYC. out.These things SU$# totally.I know they were made for toy like set ups but on a real layout it is not a normal structural construction method to suspend rails directly over bents.Nick

Hi guys

Hi rockstar1989 

I was just frustrated on how flimsy it all is, but I have cured the problem with my trusty Dremel, a 3mm drill bit, and some 1/2 inch wood screws, and your probably right about it not looking "Prototypical" but hey who cares and who is going to see it except me and my grand children. My Train room (Big Shed) comes in April so I guess I will be whiling away my time in there along with BBQs lots of wine, chilling out with family and friends. But no one has explained to me about American railways. and as a Brit in the UK who cares I just love em.

Regards to all on that side of the Pond

Ernie

Essex UK

I have used the graduated and elevated and fastrack trestle sets and never had a problem.  I am not running big boys or challengers on them, however.  In the Feb issue of CTT is a review of a trestle set that is elevated but has enough room under (width and height) to run trains or subways atop each other.  Lionel did a variation of this with the father and son set in the early 60s.  Looks kinda cool.

I have used the postwar trestles with tinplate track as a kid as well as MTH's Realtrax trestles designed for Fastrack.  Both work well and get the job done.  The Fastrack bents got bad reviews and comments from people I know that used them on what a pain they are so I never tried them.  The people that used the Fastrack bents eventually used #4 screws to lock the track to the bent rather than the pins that come with it.

For the post war trestles, I remember there was a plastic piece that went on top of the A frames trestles that held it to the track.  I think it clipped on to two ties to hold it in place.  Perhaps, those are the pieces you think you are missing?

I went with the MTH Realtrax trestles designed for Fastrack which simply slide on to the fastrack roadbed.  They work great on straight track, but are very challenging on O36 curves if you need to slide one to the middle.  They are not that easy to slide to the middle of a straight either, but they stay on and support the track well.  The instructions say to put them at track joints which is about 10" apart, but that's pretty steep and what do you do on a curve?  I prefer to spread them out more and I eye ball the grade to get it so it isn't so steep.

In the video, this is the first time I used the MTH product.

Looks good to me Paul!

I've no problem with Lionel trestles.  Here's a pic of many trestles and much weight.  Note: It is O gauge though.

I use some of them for gradual elevation, but not for a constant height, elevated section. [I prefer to use the Jim Policastro design MDF variety for that application.] I always attach them using more than the holes that come predrilled in them on top, plus I attach the bases with screws as well. No problem supporting the weight.

Glad you resolved your problem.Have a good time.Nick