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Classic Toy Trains › Beginners ›

Ask Trains

Original Lionel no. 313 bascule bridge parts
Sep 21, 2007

Original Lionel no. 313 bascule bridge parts

Q: I recently purchased a Lionel no. 313 bascule bridge that is in pretty good shape. Unfortunately, the linkage to…

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Postwar Lionel no. 182 crane motor
Sep 14, 2007

Postwar Lionel no. 182 crane motor

Q: I rewound the motor for my Lionel no. 182 crane, and the motor works fine, but I am unable…

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The right smoke fluid for toy trains
Aug 24, 2007

The right smoke fluid for toy trains

Even a small steamer can crank out a nice flow of smoke, so buy the right fluid and don’t try…

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Those darned Marx toy train gears
Aug 3, 2007

Those darned Marx toy train gears

Many old Marx steam locomotives have gears that extend the full diameter of the wheel, resulting in incompatibility with most…

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O gauge Western town buildings
Jul 20, 2007

O gauge Western town buildings

CTT reader Phil Lea of Athens, Tenn., is looking to re-create the old West on his layout. Postwar Marx plays…

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Lionel O gauge Disney cars
Jul 6, 2007

Lionel O gauge Disney cars

The names Lionel and Disney have a unique history. Modern toy production techniques have made the most of Walt Disney’s…

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Why did Lionel produce O-27 and O-31 track?
Jun 8, 2007

Why did Lionel produce O-27 and O-31 track?

Q: What was the reasoning for the Lionel Corp. to produce two very similar track sizes – O-27 with a…

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Can I convert a Lionel no. 257 freight station to DC power?
Jun 1, 2007

Can I convert a Lionel no. 257 freight station to DC power?

Q: I have a Lionel no. 257 freight station with diesel horn that is equipped with a D-cell battery to…

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A future for my American Flyer 18B transformer?
May 18, 2007

A future for my American Flyer 18B transformer?

Q: I have two American Flyer no. 18B transformers with two Lionel no. 167 whistle controllers on my layout. My…

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O-27 track: thumbs up or down?
Apr 20, 2007

O-27 track: thumbs up or down?

Q: Before I was born, my grandfather bought me a Lionel O-27 set, and over the years I’ve acquired many…

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Adding TMCC to a ZW layout
Apr 6, 2007

Adding TMCC to a ZW layout

Q: I’ve got an 8- by 12-foot layout that is fairly complete, and I use an old Lionel ZW for…

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New socket for a prewar Lionel lighted bridge
Feb 9, 2007

New socket for a prewar Lionel lighted bridge

Q: Ray, I have a Lionel no. 315 bridge with a red light on top. The light doesn’t work due…

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