New Guy Here from Upper Michigan

C

Chiefifd32

Registered
Hi All......I've never had G scale trains, ever. Now semi-retired I'm finding interest in a G Scale train to run around our Christmas Tree. I'm leaning toward a LGB Christmas starter set.
I believe I'm seeing the outside track circle measurement is about 52 inches from outer rail to outer rail. I have limited space where our Christmas tree is. I was originally thinking about A Lionel 027 then I stumbled onto the G Scale and found it intriguing.
So here I am
& A big Hello from snowy Upper Michigan
Ed.......
 
Chiefifd32 said:
Hi All......I've never had G scale trains, ever. Now semi-retired I'm finding interest in a G Scale train to run around our Christmas Tree. I'm leaning toward a LGB Christmas starter set.
I believe I'm seeing the outside track circle measurement is about 52 inches from outer rail to outer rail. I have limited space where our Christmas tree is. I was originally thinking about A Lionel 027 then I stumbled onto the G Scale and found it intriguing.
So here I am
& A big Hello from snowy Upper Michigan
Ed.......
Click to expand...
Hello from (so far) snowfree* Eastern Ontario.
LGB R1 curves make a circle about 51 inches across the outer ends of the ties. LGB trains are great value. As with any electric train, it's a good idea not to run it on carpet, but I'm sure you know that.
Happy Christmas railroading!

*And now that I've said "snowfree", Ma Nature will surely hammer us. I see New York State is being buried, along with the parts of Ontario closer to the Lakes than we are.
 
Thanks for the greetings! I was wondering if G scale locos were a bit more tolerant of carpet. But I had planed on possibly running the track circle on plywood or similar surface. And thanks for verifying the outer track measurements for me, big help........
I have a small N scale set-up mostly for my grandkids, & very aware of carpet lint in the gears! LOL.....
Ed
 
Welcome!
Main problems running on carpet:
Fibres are attracted to the oil and grease, so gum things up.
The brass track will tarnish, a little.. The result is a black residue, that *really* loves light-coloured carpets!

Enjoy your Christmas train!

PhilP
 
Hi Ed

I don't usually run a train around the Christmas Tree, I perceive it to be more of a US thing than UK, but last year, with my son and his family, who live in the US, coming to us for Christmas, and with the main Christmas Tree (we have four smaller ones) in the conservatory, I decided to put down a circle of R1 track around the tree, as there was just about space. Our daughter (43 going on 7) decided I should add some of my railway buildings. My contribution was to scratch build a 'special Christmas wagon'. The set up was well received and appreciated by our grandsons (8 & 10) with the 10 year old spending quite a bit of time driving the train. This year, my wife and I are on our own for Christmas, so the main tree has been put up in the lounge, which while cosier, leaves insufficient room for the train.

I realise that some of the above might sound a bit precocious to someone just starting out in G Scale, but I have been kit bashing and scratch building in G Scale for about 30 years.

Whatever you decide, I hope that you and yours have a great Christmas.

dig 231217002.JPG

David
 
Welcome to the forum Ed.

And Happy Christmas....
 
David1226 said:
Hi Ed

I don't usually run a train around the Christmas Tree, I perceive it to be more of a US thing than UK, but last year, with my son and his family, who live in the US, coming to us for Christmas, and with the main Christmas Tree (we have four smaller ones) in the conservatory, I decided to put down a circle of R1 track around the tree, as there was just about space. Our daughter (43 going on 7) decided I should add some of my railway buildings. My contribution was to scratch build a 'special Christmas wagon'. The set up was well received and appreciated by our grandsons (8 & 10) with the 10 year old spending quite a bit of time driving the train. This year, my wife and I are on our own for Christmas, so the main tree has been put up in the lounge, which while cosier, leaves insufficient room for the train.

I realise that some of the above might sound a bit precocious to someone just starting out in G Scale, but I have been kit bashing and scratch building in G Scale for about 30 years.

Whatever you decide, I hope that you and yours have a great Christmas.

View attachment 335495

David
Click to expand...
David, thank you so much for the warm welcome.

Your train and Christmas theme cars look amazing, great craftsmanship by the way.

I extend to you & yours a very Merry Christmas.
Ed
 
Welcome to the forum. Yes put something under the tracks to save yourself a very frosty Christmas! The only thing we've missed is to warn you of the humour, that we do like pictures, but definitely not politics.
 
I really am new to this G scale. I'm now seeing USAT brand trains have Christmas starter sets too.
This site has many UK users for sure & a large LGB following, & not seeing a lot of USAT information. But as I'm really only interested in having a Christmas set running around our indoor Christmas tree, I'm open to other brands, but looking for something of quality.
I have noticed Bachman trains, but my prior experience with the brand tells me there not all that reliable.
 
I agree with your last post..
(Most) USA Trains large-scale stock is the larger outline 'diesels', which won't particularly like tight radius curves, and will look a little silly, going round them.
They are also a lot more power-hungry than LGB models. - A small controller may struggle, get warm, and shutdown?

PhilP
 
I was thinking about the size of the latest USAT Christmas train set with a RS - 3 or 4 size loco. & I am really just looking for a Christmas train set, I have lots of thoughts of expanding as I'm looking around here, so intriguing ......but.
I do find the LGB Christmas set quite quaint and more toy like :) .
It's going to be a surprise for my wife........
 
Welcome aboard! A Christmas train is a great start, but remember: a train is for life, not just for Christmas. And you may find it hard to put your railway away in the loft during Trainuary or Febrailroad, and by March, it'll have its feet firmly under the table...or in the garden...
 
Welcome aboard from southeastern Pennsylvania, Ed. I run a Bachmann trolley around our tree each year. The circle of LGB R1 curves was taking up too much room, according to SWMBO, so at the suggestion of another forum member whose name eludes me at the moment, I found some Hartland Locomotive Works tight radius track on Ebay. Hartland is out of business but their stuff can still be found on Ebay and possibly some other venues.

I forms a circle of about 30" in diameter. The rails are plated steel attached to a road base of plastic that looks like ballast and ties. The Bachmann trolley as well as any two axle equipped locomotive easily navigates the tight radius. As a matter of fact I have a Playmobil diesel whose wheelbase is larger than the Bachmann trolley's wheelbase and it negotiates the circle of track well.
 
Thanks for the suggestion.... I'm not at home right now, and have been way from home for a little bit (my wife had a joint replacement out of town). I'lll be getting in late tonight and have a chance to measure the space I have. I'm definitely concerned about the diameter of the circle. 30" sounds doable for sure, the 51" or 52" seems like it might be the deal breaker.
I'll take a look at your suggestion,
Thanks
Ed
 
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