I missed this bit of collecting wisdom from Rob O’Hara when he first posted it last month, but Rob describes his concept of mini-collections to keep his hobbies from taking over his life.
All posts tagged o gauge
Collecting parameters
Posted by Dave Farquhar on April 12, 2013
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2013/04/collecting-parameters/
The greatest European tinplate train collection in the United States is on display
Two years ago, Jerry Greene made a splash when he attempted to put his huge, one-of-a-kind train collection up for auction. He had quietly amassed 35,000 train items, and only a handful of people knew about it. Transporting the collection to Sotheby’s let that cat out of the bag. It became the subject of a [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on December 12, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/12/the-greatest-european-tinplate-train-collection-in-the-united-states-is-on-display/
Using a Lionel (or other brand) O or O27 transformer with HO or N scale trains
Here’s a good question: Can you use Lionel O or O27 transformers (or, for that matter, American Flyer S transformers) with HO or N scale trains? The answer is, not directly. But you can if you add a $3 bridge rectifier from Radio Shack (part number 276-1146).
Posted by Dave Farquhar on November 29, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/11/using-a-lionel-or-other-brand-o-or-o27-transformer-with-ho-or-n-scale-trains/
Measuring the voltage and amperage of your train transformer’s output
Sometimes you want to know how many volts your train transformer is feeding your trains, in order to avoid damaging the motors. And it’s also helpful to know how many amps you’re pulling from your transformer, so you don’t damage the transformer.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on April 17, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/04/measuring-the-voltage-and-amperage-of-your-train-transformers-output/
What is Super O track?
If there was ever a cult following in Lionel-dom, Super O has it. Super O was Lionel’s answer to American Flyer 2-rail track. Introduced in 1957, it featured numerous plastic ties with a molded-in woodgrain, a 36″ diameter, and a thin copper center rail. The people who liked it really liked it, but a new [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on February 1, 2011
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2011/02/what-is-super-o-track/
A Lionel Fastrack review
How Lionel Fastrack compares to traditional tubular track and competing O gauge track is a common question. I own both, so I can probably make a comparison. For the most part, it’s not bad. But it’s not perfect. For some people, the drawbacks are easy enough to overlook. For others, they could be showstoppers. You’ll [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on January 10, 2011
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2011/01/a-lionel-fastrack-review/
Frequent questions about setting up toy trains and trains and Christmas trees
Here are some train-related questions I’ve been seeing from Google searches that I really don’t think I ever answered adequately elsewhere. I don’t know where they’ve been landing before today, but hopefully this will help.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on November 28, 2010
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2010/11/frequent-questions-about-setting-up-toy-trains-and-trains-and-christmas-trees/
Saving money on wooden trains
My son likes wooden trains. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, since I like the bigger metal (and sometimes plastic) trains that run on O gauge track. The downside to Brio and Learning Curve (Thomas) trains is that sometimes they seem to cost nearly as much as Lionel, even though they’re essentially carved blocks of wood.
There are several ways to save money on them, however.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on February 13, 2010
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2010/02/saving-money-on-wooden-trains/
Cars for trains
Vehicles are a frequent topic of discussion on the various O and S gauge train forms. At times these discussions can get rather heated.
Since use on train layouts is rarely the objective of the companies making various diecast vehicles, there’s no true right answer to what one should or shouldn’t use. This is my personal philosophy. Take it for what it’s worth.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on December 2, 2008
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2008/12/cars-for-trains/