I’ve not had any experience with Lionel since the 50’s, but this forum has me itching to build my future layout in O31. One thing that I want in this layout is plenty of light effects like signals and those lanterns on the old post war switches really intriged me. I notice that the fast track switches have a red and a green LED to show the switch setting. However, I noticed somewhere that they also come with a switch stand type of lantern and instead of haveing red and green bulbs in the switch controler like the old ones, they now have the Lionel emblem light up red or green. Is this so, and if so do the lanterns on the switch light up bright enough like the old style did? Thanks in advance from an oldie newbie. Ken
The switch stand uses a bright white led and a rotating cover wih red and green lenses. The controller uses a bi-color LED. Both are extremely bright. BTW, FastTrack is O-36, not O-31.
Thanks chuck. Yeah, I meant O-36.
Welcome back into the hobby. now you really (not knowing ) just opened a can of worms as your now going to get just about everybodies preference for track. I’ve had MTH real tracks and its 031 as you want and lionels run on them fine. I presently have gargraves tracks ( more real looking to me.) has the blackened middle rail and ties like real track would. you can get it in all different size curves from 32" all the way up to 138" curves. Then you get either there switches or ross switches.
You could go back to O gauge tubalr track which a lot in here like and then you get your lights back when you buty those . If you alread bought fast track have fun go with it full speed ahead. I personaly don’t like it or MTH reatracks as if you need a short piece you have to go buy it at your LHS if you don’t have it abd its sunday night you have to wait. where with the rest you can cut your own piece to size. and its usually not another $6.00 to $9.00 to go get that piece.
Again welcome back and wish you luck and as you get stages done show us picks we have a sectionevery sunday for photos or at least come into the coffee shop and post a couple there off and on
Thanks, I’m finding out this deal is not as simple as I remember as a kid. Posting pctures is another learning thing too!!! [(-D]
goto www. photobucket.com open a free account. upload your picks then there is 3 bars at the botom of each pic copy the bottom one and put it in your post and your pick apears when you hit post.
I notice you are in Newport, Tn. I sometimes stop at the 440 mm to eat at the truck stop there and also used to spend some weekends camping at the Cosby camp grounds. Ken
sent you an email you can email me at lionel027kline@hotmail.com