I am looking for a good train set for me. I would like it to be o gauge, with tubular track. it should be affordable, but with some features. I would like a tmcc train set, but that’s not required. If there are any sets with wider radius curves, that would be great because I plan to buy larger locos. I have a postwar NW-2 on display that I plan to run. One more thing: NO SCOUT SETS!!!
Considering what you’re looking for needs to have tubular track I’d say check the websites of the larger dealers such as Charles Ro or Grzyboski’s for “New Old Stock” sets or “Sets With Tubular Track.” “Trainz.com” is another source. They’re still out there but you can forget TMCC capability with a vintage tubular track set, the engines are going to be strictly conventional control.
If there’s any upcoming train shows in your area those can be a good place to look as well. And even if you don’t find anything trust me, you’ll have a good time anyway!
You’re not likely to find any intact Scout sets at this date and if you did they’d be collectible in their own right and not as inexpensive as the “NOS” sets.
And [#welcome] aboard!
If it is for yourself, and intended to be run, not as a collectable, then you would likely be happier buying individual pieces, that would be what you WANT rather than what Lionel decides to package together.
You probably will pay more, but be happier with the results, and as mentioned you aren’t likely going to find a TMCC set packged with tubular track, unless you will consider Fastrack, which is a form of tubular track with a plastic roadbed.
Attending a train show would be a great way to piece together a very satisfying set, and be an enjoyable experience
Doug
I don’t think there are many O gauge sets being sold in the present, if any, that come with tubular track. I also don’t know of many, if any sets, that came with tubular track in a wider curve than O-31, except perhaps some Marx sets in the 50s coming with O-34 (0-27 profile rails and ties), or Lionel’s Super O track from the late 50s and the 60s if you count it. In Either case, those track systems have long been out of production.
I do not believe there has ever been a TMCC equipped train set sold with tubular track, feel free to correct me if such a thing exists. Digital Command systems aren’t my area of experitise anyway.
With the exception of one modern set the ‘scout’ set hasn’t been a thing since 1952. However, I am also aware that the reputation of scout sets as cheap trains with no fancy features has lead to pretty much any train set with a 2-4-2 steam locomotive being labeled as such. The way you phrase your request, I assume you mean wanting to avoid any sort of basic starter set.
I think, like others have said, that in order to fulfill all the criteria you have, no commercially available train set is going to fit the bill, and you’d be better off sourcing individual items you want.
If your goal is to get everything in one fell swoop, be prepared to compromise. If you want something with digital command features, you’re probably stuck with a modern, integral roadbed track system in something like O-36. If you want tubular track, you’ll be looking at conventional sets with O-27 or O-31.
All that said, I think you should probably look around for a train set that looks good to you, find a few candidates, and then see what you can find about how people like them. Then source the track and transformer seperately so you can get something that will serve your plans for the future (running bigger locomotives, etc)
If you want to go TMCC, I think you’re going to be putting every
While most sets are O27 and do not come with wide radius track a simple eBay search for ‘lionel tmcc set’ will reaveal at lot of offerings.
You’ll want to use standard O-31 track anyway. IMHO, avoid the trap of settling on starter-set O27 track.
If you want something new, I’d go to Menards. I’ve been satisfied with what they have but it is semi-incompatible with the NW2 (you’d need a traditional AC power supply, which works with the Menards set but isn’t included.).
@BigAl_956 I use O27 because I run vintage locos and need turnouts that can accommodate the “fat wheel” gearing. Plus, I have some radius size restrictions due to my train table size because of the size of my room. I can’t run huge locos or 20 car trains, but it works for me. I don’t see it as a “trap” but more like a person needs to do some research before they settle on something for a permanent type layout.