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Lionel Standard gauge Commodore Vanderbilt set
Being a loyal American Flyer and S highrail operator since 1954, I had never been exposed to the appearance and operation of standard gauge, or as Flyer would call, wide gauge. After reading this fine review by Bob Keller in my February 2003 issue of CTT, I broke down and bought one of these Lionel sets in 2006. Even the Lionel box was gigantic that contains this historic toy train set.
The train set itself is huge, impressive, and beautiful. The semi scale steamlined NYC Hudson steam locomotive and tender, I believe, is a first for standard or wide gauge trains. All the photos and museum models that I have seen seem to end at the 4-4-2 Atlantic class sometimes with 4 trailing wheels - never a 4-6-4 Hudson. The three passenger cars are equally beautiful though true to tin plate tradition, they are shorties and not in scale length.
After purchasing an 84 inch oval of new standard gauge track, I set this new set up under my existing 6 x 12 foot S highrail layout in the basement of our home on a concrete floor. What a sound! It scared the dog, both cats, all five children, the wife and a visitor from Cardiff, Wales who had never seen an American standard gauge train in operation.
To control the noise and family angst, I have relocated this interesting train set to our home’s library which is large and has wall to wall carpeting to damp the operational racket and vibrations. The set is powered by an MTH Z4000 transformer in conventional mode with the wireless remote control feature. The modern Lionel sound effects add a lot to the pleasure of operation. In its new surroundings, it impresses visitors and does not distress my Dalmatian named Siren who occupies the same space.