standard gauge info

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Every now and then I catch the prewar standard gauge bug. I wish I could find a site like postwarlionel.com to see lots of pictures and a list of items made (mostly by lionel). Anyone have any cures for this bug? Sites, pictures, info, etc…

2

Check out the TCA book Lionel Trains 1900-1942. Great reference. Even has a color chart in the back.

3

There’s no one comprehensive site, but there are lots of places on line to enjoy tinplate. Here’s a few…

Layouts and info

http://www.clandavidsonusa.com/Standard/

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums (this is another forum. Click on Tinplate Trains. A good thread for pictures is Celebrate Tinplate, a monthly thread with pictures).

http://www.tinplaterr.info/ (its mine!)

www.venturea.com/tjs.htm

http://www.tinplatetimes.com/

www.lionellines.com/displays.html

For individual pictures, here are a few:

http://www.marxtinplatetrains.com/

www.hometown.aol.com/ivesboy/index.html

www.train99.com/ency/lionel1/index.html

http://www.stoutauctions.com/ (they have great online photos of their auction lots, just view a catalog and use as a searchword “prewar”)

Hopefully this will get you started. Lots of other great sites out there so have fun looking!

4

http://stdgauge.blogspot.com/

[url]http://www.tinplatetimes.com/[url]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sgma/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/standg/

5

Thanks for the sites guys. I was thinking about getting a set for around the tree and to take out from time to time. I figure Id go with a freight set. What series cars would you guys recomend that would get me the best bang for the buck. What about an engine?

6

If you want to do repros, MTH sells starter sets currently, and you can still find NIB Lionel repops from a few years back (made by MTH but with Lionel nameplates and Lionel getting much of the original price, a consideration important to some folks).

If you want to go with originals, probably your best bet will be Classic Period Lionel (1923-1942) 500-series freight cars pulled by a #8 or #10. Going to 200-series or steam will up the ante considerably. You can do very well monetarily if you’re willing to repaint or fully restore. Check eBay for what’s going for how much. I saw a 517 caboose go for less than $12 + S&H just this week. It needed work, but it was complete and not rusted out. Such deals don’t happen all the time, but they do happen if you are patient.

7

thanks again. I like the look of the 10E engine. The green one looks a lot like the state set engine but a little shorter. Not sure exactly what engine Im going to pick but I think I want one with an E Unit and in the style of the state set engine.

I like the idea of restoring a beat up set rather than the new mth. Its like adopting a pet rather than spending a lot more at a pet store. Would be nice to have a project.

I like the look of the 500 series cars. Im really interested in a crane car and flat car with pegs and wood planks (like the ones in the 1928 cat cover). Not sure if thats 200 or 500 series but Ill be fine with either of the two.

8

Thanks again for all the links. Ive been looking at a lot of neat stuff. I was just wondering if they made a 500 series crane car or is there only a 200 series one?