I will be discussing a little bit, what I would consider my dream layout for Lionel and Marx 3 rail trains. And also discussing how to convert my dreams into a practical reality. Naturally we all have dreams, but we can’t always achieve those dreams, the way we would like. Because of financial or space restraints, or physical limitations such as poor eyesight, etc. Not everyone has perfect health and eyesight, steady hands, a million dollars sitting in the bank, or a huge amount of space to devote to a layout. Most people have to trim back their dreams to be manageable. I don’t have lot’s of money, or lot’s of space. I’m on a tight budget, and living in an apartment. And I’m already 50 years old, my eyes and hands are not as good, compared to when I was younger. And like a lot of people, sometimes I will hoard too many trains (a collector?) I currently have a small collection of Lionel and Marx 3 rail trains, some HO scale trains (both 2 rail American, and 3 rail Marklin European), a collection of N scale trains, and a small amount of American Flyer S scale from the 1950’s. Many of these trains I never even touch, they are just sitting in their boxes unused.
So I’m going to scale back my collection, selling off some of them on eBay. Especially the stuff I will probably never use in the future, or have no interest in keeping anymore. Some of those trains I have lost interest in. So it will be easy to begin with those items, selling them. And I will be more careful in the future, I don’t hoard a bunch of trains, I will never use.
For the past 30 years, I have always been drawn the most to 3 rail Lionel type trains, so I will concentrate on that. The Lionel 3 rail trains grab my attention the strongest. So I think it will be best to sell off many of the N and HO items, which I no longer have any interest in.
I’m a very budget minded person, so I will avoid all of the latest technology (like DCS, TMCC, Legacy, etc). I already have two postwar Marx locomotives with double reduction drives, they run fine on modern switches from Lionel and K-Line, etc. And Marx locomotives are known to be durable and easy to repair, and they are still very budget friendly. Eventually I intend to get a couple postwar locomotives from Lionel, whatever is durable and budget friendly. Probably stay with the 1950’s locomotives, because they are often better then the 1960’s produced locomotives. And I will do it on a tight budget.
For example I might get one complete 1950’s Lionel Alco powered diesel locomotive, and a few extra body shells, which fit on the one powered mechanism. Instead of buying 3 to 5 powered Alco locomotives, I would purchase one powered mechanism, and a few extra shells. Buying just one powered mechanism and a few extra shells, is far cheaper compared to purchasing 4 or 5 complete locomotives. When I want to run a different railroad scheme, just change the particular shell that is sitting on the mechanism.
After checking on eBay just now, a single Lionel Alco shell is usually between 15 and 30 dollars (plus shipping) each, and cheaper when purchased as a group. Powered units are often sold on eBay for 50 dollars (plus shipping) and up. So for example, I could buy one powered Lionel Alco for 50 to 100 dollars, and get one dummy locomotive included with the powered unit. And purchase an additional 3 or 4 shells for another 50 dollars, especially when they were painted by a previous owner. For a grand total of 100 to 150 dollars, and I can have 4 to 6 different Lionel Alco shells, one powered locomotive mechanism, and one dummy mechanism.
The same with Lionel or Marx steam locomotives. All I need to do is purchase a few extra tenders in different road names. And use those tenders with the couple Marx locomotives I already own. I can have some variety of road names, at a very low price. It helps keep the overall cost down. I can’t possibly run 10 to 50 locomotives at the same time, on a small layout. So if my layout has two loops of track, I really only need a small amount of powered locomotives. Everything else can be additional shells for diesels, and extra tenders for steam locomotives.
On any permanent layout I will be using mostly Lionel, Marx and K-Line 027 track. It’s the cheapest available track for Lionel trains. I will do hand laid track with the rails from the 027 track, by removing the rails from the metal ties, and spiking the rails to wood ties, probably use pine wood ties. Which will allow me to bend the curves to a wider radius. Which means I can keep to buying the cheapest sharp 027 curves, I don’t need to purchase the more expensive larger curvatures. Or I can use Gargraves flex track for the same effect. I will even make my own switches (turnouts) with more gentle curves. Using the Marx metal switches as a template. I will hand make my own switches (turnouts) that pivot both inner rails to change the route. Kind of similar to the swiveling part in a Marx metal switch. But larger and more gentle switches. And spiking everything to wood ties, probably using pine wood. And use Caboose Industries ground throws, or some other type of control method, to operate my switches manually. I can build an entire turnout myself for a few dollars of materials, including the rails from used track, wood ties and ground throw. Even a hand built curved switch, would only cost me a few dollars in materials to build. Remember that even a regular Ross Custom Switch in used condition, costs a lot more money then that. Where are you going to find curved switches for a few dollars? You can’t. But used 027 track is often dirt cheap at train shows and flea markets. Even used Gargraves flex track is usually reasonable in price, especially when you can find it locally.
My trains will be mostly postwar Lionel and Marx, and modern era from Lionel, K-Line and whatever else I find on a budget (MTH, Williams, etc). I might paint and decal some of the trains myself, into the road names I prefer. And also scratch build some freight cars from wood, metal and plastic, with Lionel trucks and couplers. For those I would look for beat-up wreckers (Lionel freight cars with damaged and broken body shells), specifically for the Lionel trucks and couplers.
And scratch build most of my buildings and structures, and scratch build my own trees. And I would buy unpainted figures (people) and paint them myself. I would model a rural scene, in the countryside or mountains, with some small towns for houses and industry. I won’t need as many vehicles modeling rural areas like farms and mountains. Just a handful of vehicles will look fine, and save a lot of money in the process. And I will be using postwar transformers from Lionel, perhaps the Lionel 1033 at 90 watts. I will be using smaller locomotives, such as postwar Marx, the smaller postwar Lionel steam locomotives, the postwar Lionel Alco, switchers, etc. And someday in the future, some of the smaller modern era (MPC and LTI) locomotives from Lionel, and K-Line. So I believe the Lionel 1033 at 90 watts will be sufficient for me. It will allow me to operate the more energy efficient locomotives on 0-11 volts (posts B-U), and the more power hungry locomotives on 5 to 16 volts (posts A-U).
There are ways to enjoy the hobby on a tight budget, when you’re willing to be creative and think outside the box. It’s possible to build a nice layout on a 4x8 foot table, for a few hundred dollars with used Lionel and Marx trains. A simple used Marx or Lionel locomotive might be 20 to 40 dollars and up. Basic freight cars can be bought for 5 to 15 dollars each. It’s possible to get an oval of track with a couple manual switches, for around 25 to 50 dollars, depending on condition. Many times you can get some track, a small transformer, a locomotive and some freight cars, all for under 100 dollars from a single auction. Sometimes a lot less at flea markets, train shows, estate sales, or a neighbor that wants to sell his trains quickly. Even Facebook Marketplace when you find the right person.