I have just recieved an assortment of HO trains and tracks, with some trackside structures, some dating backd to to the late 70’s and early 80’s. Any suggestions on a direction? I want to build a modern layout but these items maybe out dated. Thanks Steve.
Stevie:
Could you post some photographs of the equipment? We could probably advise you a lot better if we saw what you’re dealing with.
Tom [:D]
Will post some photos ASAP…thanks
Many of the freight cars on my layout are 50 or more years old. With a small amount of cleaning, lubrication, repair and perhaps upgrading, these old models still have years of service left in them. It’s possible to restore old locomotives to running order, too, but that’s a lot more effort.
But, you have to look at how the equipment fits into your plans. Were these “modern” cars from the 70s and 80s, or were they models of even older prototypes? Roofwalks on top of boxcars would indicate that their are models of older cars, as would the presence of steam engines and the occasional caboose.
Modern-era modeling takes a lot of space, far more than Transition Era or earlier. Today’s equipment is much longer than that of a half-century ago, and won’t run on the tight-radius curves that us old-timers have been using for a half-century or more. If you are somewhat limited in space for your layout, that’s an important point to consider.
Unfortunately, you are probably not sitting on a treasure trove of classic models. Other than Lionels, few old trains are worth much. You might get a few dollars for an old gondola, but you’re not going to fund a new layout by putting these up for bids.
Look Carefully at the stuff. Is it Old Tyco type stuff with Horn Hook couplers and Truck Mounted Couplers. If so its probably not worth salvanging. I sold my lot of this stuff for $50 at my yard sale last year. As for the track it might be salvageable but old brass track requires a lot of cleaning and might not be worth the trouble. New track preferably nickle silver is not that expensive. The structures on the other hand might be useful.
Hi,
Having been in HO since 1960, I’ve had a lot of exposure MR stuff that is now called “vintage”. Assuming what you have are in good shape - not rusted, corroded, or broken, may I add my opinions:
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Early Athearn cars are timeless. With the addition of KD couplers, metal wheelsets, and a bit of weathering, these will be nice additions to most layouts. Early Athearn “rubber band” drive locos are fun to “race”, but are not especially great for realistic operations. Early Athearn gear drive locos are almost indestructable, and with reasonable maintenance should serve you well. Of course if you want to convert to DCC operation, you will have your hands full.
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Early Tyco, Lifelike, and Model Power locos and cars are typically not worth the time and effort to put into service.
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Early MDC (Roundhouse) and Mantua products can go either way, depending.
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If by chance you have brass locos/cars, they may well be worth the time and effort to restore - with the goal of either putting into service or selling on Ebay.
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Trackage at that time was typically brass. My opinion is to either throw it away - or if in really good shape - sell it. Today’s nickel silver track is superior in many ways, and I would not mess with brass.
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Structures, figures, vehicles, etc., are typically not worth anything, but may look great on your layout. Its amazing what a little TLC can do to an old structure…
Hey, the above is just my opinion in general, but the items you have may certainly result in a different view if we were to see them.
I like to point out tycoforums.com on threads like this. I enjoy this website although it is a perfect example of being devided up into too many topic headings, therefore it looks like not much traffic.
My brother, also a model railroader, is visiting us from California and brought along a really old Varney 0-4-0 Dockside Switcher to run on my layout with code 83 rail. The flanges were so large on the 0-4-0 that it would barely run on my HO layout. But it looked great and would probably run fine on code 100 rail.
Wayne
If you are planning a large yard, you can use older cars to make it look full. A can or two (different brands are different colors) of auto primer can turn some of the bright, unrealistic colors into generic colored cars. When placed on closely spaced tracks the sides don’t show that the lettering has totally faded. They can also be used on abandoned sidings. I have several older cars that I have rehabbed, because they fit my needs.
Good luck,
Richard
Model trains are practically immortal. They never wear out. Prototype cars had a 40 year service life, so a car built new in 1970 could still be in revenue service in 2010. Trainset cars in bright toy like colors, can look very good with a nice coat of red auto primer and new decals. Old locomotives will run like new after a serious cleaning. The lubricants dry out and get sticky over time. A good cleaning, using solvent and rags, followed by re lubrication will make them run like new. Installing Kadee couplers to replace horn-hook couplers is easy and only a couple of bucks a car.
Was it me, I’d go thru the stuff, and keep what looks good to you, and use the rest to practice painting and weather upon.
Vintage? Vintage? That would be some of my newest stuff!
Dave Nelson
It would be a good idea to throw in some vintage equipment and structures to project a good image of a long running railroad. For example, I have a single GP9 on my lines dating back to the late 60s early 70s, and it usually runs switching operations when my primary switcher is on a different assignment or not in use. It gives an image of having been around for a while, showing that your layout is still usng old units from the start of the parent company.