Tell Me About Standard Gauge...

Oh Strummer, you have just took that first step into another whole realm.  It was in the early 90’s when I bought my first piece of standard gauge.  A Lionel 402E.  When I first saw it, I thought it to be the most butt ugly thing.  After a few hours of socializing at the local train shop and me constantly looking back at that engine sitting on the counter staring at me, I ended up taking it home.  I’m not sure which was worse.  Getting bit by the standard gauge bug or COVID.  COVID only had me down for about a month and a half.  I am one of the fortunate ones in that case.  That darn standard gauge bug bite is still wreaking havoc on me and it’s been over 30 years with no end in sight.  Every time I say “ok, I have enough”,  I find something else I feel I need to have.  I still have quite the collection of O gauge trains too, however, my real thrill is the bright and shiny tinplate trains, buildings and other accessories.  The heft of some of these pieces is astonishing.  Kids of years ago must have been very muscular consider the weight of some of these engines.  Your find is a very nice one.  According to my plexiglass ball, I see a circle of track and transformer coming, a couple of cars, oh and a station.  After that all I see is a big flash.  Enjoy my dear Sir.

I'd tell you, but it's too late...

Standard gauge is what toy trains were meant to be.  Old stuff is simple, and if you're not afraid of putting in some work, it's easy to find operator-grade items at reasonable prices.

Before diving into the modern stuff, search and read threads on the forum regarding the common problems - keeping the gears greased will save you a lot of grief.   

Tell your wife that you'll be in the train room.

You want to know something before you "get in too deep"? That's easy. You should know that you won't stop now. You could eventually fill your house with Pre war and modern Standard Gauge and you will love every one you get. The only concern I have with a similar dilemma, is that I keep hearing parts are harder to get for the original pre war trains and it's been suggested I limit how much I run them. That's not a real big issue because I only do Christmas time floor layouts. I also have happily acquired Lionel/MTH reproductions or items that weren't made prewar. (My Hiawatha set is a good example).

So have at it and keep us updated on how crazy it get. I doubt you will regret it.

David (also in Oregon)

@Strummer posted:

I think it will make a nice addition to the train room...😊

What should I know before I get in "too deep"? 😳🙂

Mark in Oregon

It will make a nice addition to your train room.  Standard Gauge is all about having fun.  Very cool.

Oh dear; that's kinda what I expected...

The first two issues of "Railroad Model Craftsman" I ever got (Dec. '71 and Jan. '72) had a two-part story about restoring some Standard Gauge; I think the guy was in Connecticut. Then, a few years later (mid to late '70s) they ran an article with a fellow named Chuck Brasher, who had a big Standard Gauge layout and collection. When asked what his favorite piece was, he said "whichever one I'm holding at the time". I always thought that was the best answer to that question anyone could give...regardless of scale.

So away we go...

Mark in Oregon

Look at all the pretty colors. 😁

Wait til you run that engine....then the real fun starts.

I see Joe has already made plans for future expansion.  Some very nice looking trains on those shelves Joe.

Standard is the most wonderful rail gift to all of us ever. Enjoy!

How about a little "the rumble and the roar" teaser video?

If you are able to find the newer MTH/Lionel stuff, my advice is to stay away from it. You will be hooked. Nothing better under the Christmas tree.

Your nice 33 is a modest entry into the realm of "el gran tren".

@jini5 posted:

If you are able to find the newer MTH/Lionel stuff, my advice is to stay away from it. You will be hooked. Nothing better under the Christmas tree.

I agree -

What else do you need to know? 

Cheers,

- Mike

"Tell Me About Standard Gauge..."

From an experienced observer:

* It's big.

* It's colorful.

* It's impressive.

* It has its own charm.

* It can shrink your 401K.

Andre

@jini5 posted:

If you are able to find the newer MTH/Lionel stuff, my advice is to stay away from it. You will be hooked. Nothing better under the Christmas tree.

Nothing better EXCEPT the originals . . . 

@laming posted:

"Tell Me About Standard Gauge..."

From an experienced observer:

* It's big.

* It's colorful.

* It's impressive.

* It has its own charm.

* It can shrink your 401K.

Andre

... 😁 ...

Thanks Andre; could that be why you went back to HO?  🙂

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

... 😁 ...

Thanks Andre; could that be why you went back to HO?  🙂

Mark in Oregon

HO:

You bet! There's no financial sink holes in HO. (NOT! )

I think the common denominator of "money" in all this can be distilled down to just two words: Model Railroading.

Andre

@Strummer posted:

Although I've been involved in many different scales over the years, and my interest has been on "realistic" trains, I have always found the colors and charm of Standard Gauge to be most inviting. With that in mind, I just now purchased a restored (repainted) number 33, through Trainz. Here are a few pictures from eBay:

I think it will make a nice addition to the train room...😊

What should I know before I get in "too deep"? 😳🙂

Mark in Oregon

Mark,

By coincidence, my first piece of Standard Gauge was also a #33. I bought a derelict one and restored it. Here is a pic of mine:

It looks exactly like yours, except that mine has red window trim.

I've purchased other Standard gauge items over the years, some all original, some I restored. I now have several "sets" that I set up under my Christmas Tree every year. For more, click here: https://www.warrenvillerailroa...s-too-standard-gauge

Click here: Memorial Diner in Honor of my Brother (warrenvillerailroad.com) to see my restoration process

Have fun with this new aspect of the hobby - I am

I recently acquired a 392e.  Were do you find Standard Gauge Track?

@Lionelski posted:

Mark,

By coincidence, my first piece of Standard Gauge was also a #33. I bought a derelict one and restored it. Here is a pic of mine:

It looks exactly like yours, except that mine has red window trim.

I've purchased other Standard gauge items over the years, some all original, some I restored. I now have several "sets" that I set up under my Christmas Tree every year. For more, click here: https://www.warrenvillerailroa...s-too-standard-gauge

Click here: Memorial Diner in Honor of my Brother (warrenvillerailroad.com) to see my restoration process

Have fun with this new aspect of the hobby - I am

You did a great job on that restoration...and yes, it's my understanding that the window trim should be red like yours. 👍

Mark in Oregon

@BYIENGST posted:

I recently acquired a 392e.  Were do you find Standard Gauge Track?

I don't know that either...Gargraves, maybe?

Mark in Oregon

@BYIENGST posted:

I recently acquired a 392e.  Were do you find Standard Gauge Track?

@Strummer posted:

I don't know that either...Gargraves, maybe?

Mark in Oregon

USA Track - high quality stuff, owned and built by a TCA and forum member.  https://standardgaugetrack.com/

Thanks!

Mark in Oregon

Definitely a vote for USA Track. I used it plus Menards O to make 5 rail. Then you can play mix and match. After testing the track on the table I moved it up to an elevated around the room track.

USA Track -muy bien!

So...to work on and trouble shoot these things; I'm guessing it must be fairly straightforward, since there are literally no "bells and whistles". Just a motor and a simple light bulb...(?)

Mark in Oregon

Have contacted USA Track and I think a couple 36" pieces are in the immediate future...🙂

Mark in Oregon

@jini5 posted:

If you are able to find the newer MTH/Lionel stuff, my advice is to stay away from it. You will be hooked. Nothing better under the Christmas tree.

Here is a few pics to show how nice the modern stuff is.

I run mine on original track from my dad’s original set circa 1927 and all is well, but I have heard from this site that USA track is the bomb and when I checked the prices it seems reasonable.  I’m thinkin if you go that way you won’t be sorry.  I only need a couple pieces to complete the track plan I have in mind so I’m gonna stay original.  Also all my standard gauge is prewar original, preferably not restored, original paint, want the nicest possible, but some patina and blemishes not withstanding.
Have fun,       W1

@Strummer posted:

You did a great job on that restoration...and yes, it's my understanding that the window trim should be red like yours. 👍

Mark in Oregon

Thanks Mark

Standard gauge trains are great things. This is my second time around collecting them after a 20+ year hiatus. i don't have a layout. I don't go to York. I don't belong to the TCA or a regional group. Not that I am opposed to any of the above as they are great things to do and be a part of, I just have other things going on in my life at the moment.

As a recently renewed collector, I have 9 original Lionel prewar standard gauge sets at the moment. No more, no less as of today. I don't have a layout but I occasionally set up a big oval on my floor. I have a few of these sets on display. I don't have any real shelves per se.

What I really like about these trains is that they are a glimpse into the past. A lot of original standard gauge trains are 100 year old now, or will be within the next decade or two. They are historic pieces that were played with by a child and his father during the Roaring 20s or the Great Depression. They represented a form of escapism when they were new. In today's world, I look at my few trains and they still represent escapism.

I appreciate design and color. In this roundabout as a collector, I am buying pieces that reflect my current taste.

I look at the trains I have and think about how they were once owned by a child-or maybe an adult-in a very different time in our country's history. These people-whoever they were-were very proud to own them. One of the sets I own is a 1928 408E apple green  freight set. I got this from a Philadelphia estate auction. All of the original boxes have the kid's (adult's?) name written on them in big letters. That person must have been very proud to own this set. To me, that is important and I appreciate being the current caretaker.

These old standard gauge trains are great. They are colorful, visually bold, cantankerous yet functional as the day they were new. You can take one of these relics and anyone with half a brain can make them operable again and relive what the original owner experienced nearly ten decades ago. Their simplicity and their ruggedness is a virtue and tells the story of days gone by. From an esthetic standpoint, they are strong visual personas. Those that have survived can tell stories that we cannot even imagine. These trains today have gone from their original owners, to collectors, to other collectors that are more than likely deceased and now are spending their years with you and me for the moment. I like being a caretaker to the few trains I have. I assume that, at some point, some one else will be a caretaker to these historic relics and they will continue to live on. Their scratches and dents tell stories that we cannot even imagine.

Enjoy your collecting journey and be a good caretaker to these historically significant objects. When life gets you down, look at these and  appreciate the fantasy they provide.

That was very nicely said. "Caretakers"...I like that... 😊 👍

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

So...to work on and trouble shoot these things; I'm guessing it must be fairly straightforward, since there are literally no "bells and whistles". Just a motor and a simple light bulb...(?)

Mark in Oregon

In a word... yes. Depending on how deep you want to get in to repairs and restoration there are tooling costs etc.

I abandoned modern O gauge for prewar when the first PC board scarcity popped up.  Never looked back.  Saved a ton of aggravation in troubleshooting those boards.

@Strummer posted:

So...to work on and trouble shoot these things; I'm guessing it must be fairly straightforward, since there are literally no "bells and whistles". Just a motor and a simple light bulb...(?)

Mark in Oregon

Which suggests that if one goes for new tinplate, stick with traditional conventional motive power reproductions for future simplicity, reliability, reparability, and "feel".

BTW, some prewar American Flyer Wide gauge have mechanical working bells. Neat feature!

Have fun!

Bob

With due deference to the late Louis Hertz, and though Ives was a good company with excellent products and service, American Flyer and Lionel were clearly the US leaders in prewar toy train production (with the possible exception of the three-position e-unit). Hertz was largely responsible for perpetuating the Ives mystique through his several tomes.

... still waiting on the #33; I guess FedEx must be busy. Anyway, in anticipation of its delivery I purchased this:

I remember seeing this advertised back when I first discovered "Railroad Model Craftsman" magazine (in 1971). This is a copy from the fourth printing (1987).

Pretty general stuff, but it will keep me occupied until the "33" arrives... hopefully by next Tuesday. 🙂

Mark in Oregon

Nothing better than a 95 year old train in original paint that looks and runs like new.  Here is my #10, made in 1927, do the math.  Hope your guy is a good one.

Cheers,       W1

@William 1 posted:

Nothing better than a 95 year old train in original paint that looks and runs like new.  Here is my #10, made in 1927, do the math.  Hope your guy is a good one.

Cheers,       W1

Mark,

Find a copy of Peter Riddle's America's Standard Gauge Electric Trains. It is an excellent summary of the development of the type as well as a brief guide to the major manufacturers (including some modern ones) and also to the original manufacturers' products.  He discusses construction techniques, provides a survey of the various kinds of trains and accessories, and describes the building of a basic but well-conceived layout.  It isn't the final word on any aspect of this branch of the hobby but an excellent introduction and appetite-whetter.

@palallin posted:

Mark,

Find a copy of Peter Riddle's America's Standard Gauge Electric Trains. It is an excellent summary of the development of the type as well as a brief guide to the major manufacturers (including some modern ones) and also to the original manufacturers' products...

Thanks for the heads up; found one and have purchased same! 👍🙂

Mark in Oregon

Ordered the book too.  $11 bucks, why not.  Thanks for the tip.