Trolley track

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I would like to run a trolley down the middle of main street on my lay-out, is it possible to have just six sections of straight track, with reversing bumpers on each end? Or does the track have to be connected all the way around like an oval, or circle?

Thanks,

Paul

2

humming bird,

Straight, curved or any combination, any auto reversing bumper-type trolley doesn’t need a closed loop. Of course, it will run fine around and around a loop, but it is designed to automatically reverse when it hits a bumper.

I’ve always thought it “cuter” if the trolley can make its reversing smash outside of the direct line of vision of the amazed crowd of onlookers, so in some ways a “U” shaped trolley track is ideal. Also, it is a good idea to run the trolley in both directions about equally, so that it maintains the same speed both ways as it ages.

You can even place the bumpers in a short tunnel or carbarn, for a really neat effect; Finally, there are other ways of reversing a trolley in this brave new world of electronics.

3

Hey BF,

Thanks buddy thats all I needed to know, So all it will take is a few sections of straight track, a lockon ,a pair of bumpers, one at each end, and a small transformer, and Im good to go? Well that means a trip to the local hobbyshop TODAY, oh man this is gonna be cool.

THANKS,

Paul

4

For the short “bump-reverse” line that I have, I glued three long-size O27 rails to a strip of basswood (after removing the ties), and glued “brick” paper between and to the sides of the rails…for a “street” look. Joe

5

You could even do it with some super street straights and then the adaptor to O put your bumbers on the O and you would have a street made for down the middle.

6

Hi Again Paul,

If you are interested in trolleys, I suggest that you look at the Atlas O, Industrial Rail line Trolley, it is also on sale in the Nov/2007 Walther’s flier (again sale price expires 12/31/2007) sale price is $69.98, available at sale price in Los Angles Transit Line and also in the New Orleans paint scheme (my personal favorite)

The major advantage the Industrial Rail Trolley has over the Lionel or MTH is that it has a 3 position E-Unit in addition to the Bump-n-Go reversing operation, with the Lionel, and MTH they will only reverse by bumping into a bumper or other obstruction, they will not reverse in the traditional interrupt the power method. they are also a 2 truck, 4 axle trolley which looks very nice. The Lionel and MTH Trolleys are a 2 rigid axle design, but still very attractive trolleys. If You order or buy before the end of the year, the Industrial Rail trolleys are a hard bargain to beat. ( I, UHM, AHH, have well, UHM, AHH, TESTED OUT [:-^]), one of the trolleys that is a Christmas present for one of my Nephews, and I am going to order one for myself too, they are really nice.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR,

Doug

7

I’ve been thinking about how to fit the track into the street, what I’ve come up with is to pin the track down, then cut some pieces of wood to fit under the track inbetween the ties, I may have to plane the wood to get it to fit under the track. Then I’ll cut two pieces of wood the length of the track, three inches wide, plane it so that it’s exactally the same highth of the track, then rout out the edge so that the wood strip will fit over the ties, and but up against the track. Does that sound feasable?,

And Doug, I wish I knew you personally, you sound like a great guy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,

Paul

8

AAWWW SHUCKS, Although every rule has it’s exceptions, you will find that for the most part model railroading in general and the toy trains side of it even more so, that this hobby does tend to attract some of the best that society has to offer, not necessarily the wealthiest, but some of the best hearted people to be found, can be found in this hobby.

If You ever get to Portland, (Oregon, that is [swg]) I would enjoy showing you the HO club that I am a member o( I know, they ARE awfully small, and don’t have enough rails, I still haven’t figured out why they don’t fall off the tracks [(-D]) The Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club is 4200 square feet (60x70) depicting the Columbia River Gorge (Imagine that [:-^]) from Portland, Oregon to Wishram, WA, with the Oregon Trunk Line down the Deschutes river also, and a very impressive Logging division too.

Merry Christmas, and again Good Luck with the “Cannonball”, I hope that info helped,

Doug

9

I’m gonna offer a little bit different idea, how about a Bachmann On30 trolley set. O gauge bump-n-go trolley on HO track that comes with the auto reverse and you can even adjust in a delay to the stop. I wanted to put one on the Christmas layout but ran out of space.