Aw, jeeze. It's a bit heartbreaking that the "kids are moving on", but one day , sir, when thy have kids of their own... Thank you for the great video!
When I was 3, got a Lionel Post War Trains set. It had the Steam Locomotive, the whistling tender, a bin car, box car, oil car, flat car, and caboose. Think I also had 1 of those whistling stations as well. Loved it!! spermee1955
Mr. Curto, bite your tongue! I'm 63 years old and still have the 4-8-4 New York Central Steam Engine and the Santa Fe F3 setup that my dad bought in 1958 for around $90.00. All are in Near-Mint shape, from fanatical care and storage, and have been joined by 2 NewHaven EP5's and about 75 cars. You NEVER outgro trains!!!
@doghouseofnerf My dad started buying trains when I was a kid, in the 60's. We had two engines and a trolley. When I became a teenager, the trains just sort of got ignored and they went back in the boxes for 20+ years. When I had my own kids, we had three boys and I just started setting them up again and adding to them every year. It grew to what you see now. They are mostly Lionel with some MTH, K-Line and Williams as well.
Nice layout. We don't see too many Lionel trains in Oz.
One thing I can't get over are those MASSIVE controllers. I know Lionel has a long history in the industry, and their locos, particularly the older ones, draw a fair whack of current, but I would have thought that you could keep the juice up to them with something more compact these days.
@JBofBrisbane Hi, yeah those big transformers are the classic Lionel "ZW"'s. They are big, powerful and indestructable. Those are from the 1950's and 1960's. There are also other smaller Lionel transformers here that you can't see, as well as a couple of newer MTH units. Nine transformers in all.
Awesome train set! Great show and great wall hangings. That is the ultimate room. My dad had a pretty nice Lionel set when I was very little, but slowly, things got broken, lost or sold, not to mention I was curious and destructive between the ages of 3 and 5.
@ctyank70 Thanks so much for this. My son and I just got out a big box of lionel stuff that a friend of mine gave me. We are really excited to get the stuff going after seeing your video. What a great thing for a family to share. Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.
It´s simply amazing, my father gave me a Lionel Train when I was 2 Year Old, I´m now 50 and still keep it! and i haven´t use it for 30 years but I love it maybe I'll give it to my Grandsons when I have them, I only have daughters! I'm Amazed!!! congratulations
This is amazing. I am a young teen and i have a 4x17 foot layout in my basement but it does not even compare to this one. I would love to have something like this when i grow up to share with my children
WOW I have watched this video so many times in the past year and it still brings a smile to my face!! I can't wait to see it go back up sometime in the future!! :)
@YOGI1014 This was a collection that began when I was 4 years old. My dad started buying some Lionel trains and when I became a teenager, they went back into the boxes and sat there for years and years. When I had my own kids, they happened to be all boys. I just took the trains out of storage and began buying more and more things every year. Eventually, it grew to what you saw on the video. I can't even calculate how much it would cost if you bought it in one shot!
Hey man, i love your trains and i love your layout and the way you have it set up. If you were ever going to sell your layout, i would buy it in a heartbeat. Its sad you won't be running your trains until sometime in the future, but keep your love for trains alive.
I still enjoy my trains with my kids. They are younger than yours and I think I will still enjoy them even when they are older. Beautiful layout. Make sure you keep lots of videos and pictures. Thank you for sharing!
Hi. That Union Pacific is actually a K-Line that I bought about 6 or 7 years ago and it was $499. It is slightly smaller than full O-scale, because those engines need 72 inch radiuus curves and the largest I have is 54 inch. It runs great, was a bargain and unless you really look close, you don't even notice it a little smaller that full scale.
How much was it??? I saw that union pacific Steam engine legacy and in o gauge model railroading (magazine) it said it was 1,399.99 was it respond back
I hear you, and believe me, there is a part of me that would love to keep it up, but my three boys just don't use them anymore. My youngest is now a freshman in high school and these things just sit and sit. One day, when they realize how cool they really are, we'll re-build it. Even if it means that occurs when they have their own kids.
This is one of the greatest Lionel setups I've seen. I'm starting my own again after years of having them in boxes, and while I have a lot of stuff, this is in a class by itself. I hope you had second thoughts and decided not to tear it down.
@ctyank70 how much dough are we talkin here pal,and i know u have compiled this over the years,u probably have some pieces even,before your kids were born,how much do u think u spent over the years???.
@1974Flyingsub don't u know that the kids today are into video war games,something like this would bore them to tears,they live in the virtual world,besides these are Adult toys.
Hi. The Virginian is a Lionel dual Pulmor engine from 1971 or so. The Big Boy is actually a K-Line I bought new in 2002 or so. Everything works off vintage Lionel ZW's or a couple of smaller MTH transformers. The sidings operate by cutting the power off to the ones I am not not using and powering up the engine I want running through the use of toggle switches I bought from Radio Shack. It's all very simply in design and works extremely well.
Those controllers are HUUUUGE... but I guess they have to cope with some pretty heavy currents with those old motors and lighted coaches. I bet the meters at your place go round really fast when you switch all that on. Cool layout.
That "really big steam engine... Union Pacific" is a Big Boy, isn't it? That'd be worth a tidy sum today.
@JBofBrisbane Hi. All those huge transformers are original ZW's from Lionel. There are a couple of smaller, new transformewrs from MTH, but there are 11 total tranformers and 9 of them are vintage power units. That Big-Boy you mentioned was actually a newer train. I bought it new about 8 years ago, so compared to some of the really older ones (1947 #2332 GG1 Lionel being the oldest), it is a baby. Thanks for the comments. Have a Happy New Year "down under"! (I assume you're in Australia)?
Love the basement and all the Yankee gear on the wall! Nice set up, I just went through all the old Lionel trains in my parents basement, have the old O scale lionel trains from the 40s and 50s, pretty dusty, but tested them out today and run great! Again nice set up, are you guys on Long Island? just a guess with that thick accent I hear!
Hi. Glad you enjoyed the set-up......AND the Yankees. No, we don't live on Long Island, although my wife is from Long Island. I grew up in Westchester County in New York (about 25 minutes north of Manhattan) and we live in Connecticut now. Have a great holiday and enjoy those trains! (It was funny to hear you say they still ran great. I had the same experience with a lot of these that were really old. "They don't make 'em like they used to"!)
@ctyank70 Well, I got the trains up and running, maybe I ran the 224 locomotive a little too long, I think 30 minutes today was probably the most it ever ran in 60 years. Started smoking and that was the end of her, back to the hobby shop for some service!
Hi. If I had plans, I would surely give them to you, but I don't. They layout is something that takes it's own shape. I lay out the outside track according to the shape of the table. I then work inwards, one track at a time, making whatever I feel I want it to look like, working in the accessories and making the towns and cities at the same time The upper tracks follow the same logic. I work from the outside in, but have never had a drawn-out plan. It goes straight from "head to table".
man i would be careful. you got trains flying across those tracks like hell. you should put something around it or the trains will go flying off the tracks. it happened to me. i have the same trains and i was going not too fast and when i hit a turn the train went flying off the tracks and i threw away 900 dollars in trains that day.
Very QUALITY video and TRAINS! That brings back some memories! Thank you for this! Very enjoyable! A memory came back to me about providing energy to alternate tracks, what a great experience! Your boy, that was me! He'll look back on running that train and think of how relaxing it is! I remember that smell of WD-40 and the sandpaper grit of that green grass, de-energizing alternate tracks and my favorite engine, the blue santa fe from 1970s.
@7475flyersfan Hi. No, not nearly all are MPC. The oldest one is a GGI from 1947 that works like new. A few are from the 50's and 60's. I have maybe three that are from the MPC era, like the FM Virginian and the E-5 Milwaukee. I also have some Williams, MTH and K-Line.
good choice i hope my kids will do the same later in life you sould just keep them up for youe self you never get to old to play with lionel trains i love that layout you got when it comes time to start building my layout im most likely going to need some help on how to the beat way i have so many way that i want it just not 100% sure but will know when the time comes
i goyt 15 sets now but dont have my dream layout up yet got anything you what to sell or are you hoping the boys will get back in the game and take them
@grizzleybearz282004 Sorry, but nothing is for sale. I may decide to put them up again one year, but definitely I will keep them for my sons to give to their kids.
@crazystuff441 It is expensive, but this was a collection that was started when I was just a kid and my dad bought a few engines and cars. Once I had my own kids and they were all boys, I started buying stuff every year and it just grew and grew. I never could just go out and buy all this in one shot.
@crazystuff441 With the number of steam engines, if all of them were filled up and smoking at the same time, it's overwhelming. Once in a while is ok, but not all the time!
Holy Moly! I never knew my dad and at 43 I finally found him. Turns out he was an engineer for most of his life. He sent me my first christmas present a couple years ago.......he sent me a Lionel train set. The Pennsylvania Flyer. Anyway.....There is something about trains and dads. This is the most awsome train set my five year old son and I have EVER seen. ! He just said "Holy Cow!" LOL
@Youngblood1223 WOW! That is amazing about finding your dad again after all those years. I hope you can make up for lost time and use the set he sent you as a starting point for building great memories with your own son. Congratulations!
Ive got an old train set, just one train, but its an old cast iron train, with really old tracks, & cars. My dad gave it to me, & his mom bought it for him in the 60s from an antique shop. It makes smoke, & runs around the little track. Ive always thought of getting some new track & fixing the wiring in the cars.
Kinda made me sad. My father and I have started building our layout again from his old train set, and I am 28. We had such fond memories of doing this when I was a kid and my wife and I plan to have our kids join in when they are old enough. NICE LAYOUT!!! If you ever want to sell anything, let me know.
Hi, What is happening with you and your dad is what happened to me. These trains sat in boxes for years when I hit 13 or so and didn't come out again until I had my boys. I realized when I was an adult just how cool they really are. My kids are now into other things and they may not realize how cool they really are until they are adults and have thier own kids. In the meantime, I can assure you that they are not for sale! Have fun and enjoy the memories you have and the ones you will make.
Hi, those cars that are on the layout are 1:43 scale. They are simple die-cast cars that you can find anywhere. Glad you enjoyed the layout. It was a lot of fun to build.
the yellow trolly car is my favorite my dad was into all this till he changed it was fun growing up.all you need now is some slot cars that are up to scale with the trains
Love this video. Me and my kids have watched it several times. Hoping to build something similar for my boys, but need to research how it's done. Thanks for making this video and inspiring us!
I can help with that! If you need to research ho its done just buy some HO or N scale magazine's and they sale products and in them it tells you how to do it...just convert it t o gauge :)!
As for mountains/hills...you can use plaster but I would use a mascot building teqnuiqe. just make a wire shape of the hill/mountain you want , place sticky newspaper on it (forgot what its called) and put track holders under the track when your done hotclueing fake grass on!
Love your set up and someday I wll get mine out,,I have 12 sets of the 2343 Lionel Diesel sets like the one your running here,,,also I have 15 turbines including a 682 and probably 2 or 3 each of almost every engine Lionel ever built,,,of course I dont have the real high dollar ones but I have plenty of the 2056's and 2055's and 225's and 224's and and 2037's and practicaly all the other numbers of this price range,,also I have a double 2026 i made 2 engines from and its long as your arm,,haha.
This is a great layout. A lot of time and creativity went into designing and building it. What a legacy to leave to you and your kids. Thanks for sharing.
Well, I read all the comments after seeing this video and it's very cool that your explanations are so helpful and expand on the legacy that your Dad left you and your four sons.
Thanks for the very kind comments. The meaning these things have for me goes way beyond a simple train set and really make me think of my own youth and dad. I know my guys will rediscover them again, exactly the way I did. Who knows, I may even put them up just for me some day!
Trust me, they're gonna come back to the trains after the novelty and fickleness of women wear off. It might take twenty years ,but it will wear off! I wish my Dad were this cool!
Thanks. I agree with you about being "ageless". What seems to be the case, though is that younger kids really love them. When they hit their teenage years, they discover other things and lose interest. However, when they get older and become adults, the facination and interest comes back. Adults that come to visit get as much of a kick out of the trains as the young kids. They will be put up again, I'm sure.
I never understood how O gauge can take turns just as sharp if not sharper than HO. I built a layout and there's one turn that is no sharper than any of these yet cars seem to wanna cave on that part.
On this layout, virtually all the curves are 54" radius. The only curves that are smaller are the ones where the switches are, along with the inside ovals. Those are 31" radius. Some of the larger passenger cars look a little awkward on the O-31, but they make it. If you had a car or an engine that was too large (some engines require O-72", for example) you wouldn't make it around without derailing.
Oh wow! Looks just like the kind of layout that the Lionel factory would set up. Lots of neat action going on. Although I have moved to using gargraves track, I still love the ever so stong and useful "O" gauge and its 022 switches. Lots of fun!
Hi, I don't know if you remember, but Lionel used to make track back in the 50's and 60's called "Super-O". It had a super-thin copper center rail and fake wood ties. It really was great looking, although the thin center rail wore out the rollers pretty fast. Anyway, as the set grew, it became impossible to find Super-O and if you did, it was incredibly expensive. I just decided to go with the tried and trusty tubular. It looks weak, but works great and you can cut it to any size and shape!
Thanks. It has grown amazingly over the years. As for favorite engines, they would have to be the #2332 GG1 Pennsylvania from 1947, the twin engine Santa Fe from 1960, the "Big Boy" steam engine that is actually just a few years old and the MTH Blue Comet which is also fairly new. Of course, the first one my dad bought when I was a kid is a #2359 Boston & Maine GP9. That is a sentimental favorite.
Hi. Thanks for the comments, but actually everything is controlled by either vintage Lionel ZW's or MTH tranformers. I wired up the siding's where the different engines are separately from each other and the track itself. There is a master control I built with toggle switches from Radio Shack that control when I bring the power to each engine. Sounds more complicated that it really is.
wow that is amazing!!! I have the alaska set and i love it had it for about 6 years but dont have the money to really jump into the hobby as id like to... the set you have there is well over 2000 bucks!!! great job and I am envious of your one of a kind set
Very amazing set and video. Thanks. What do you suggest for someone like me who doesn't have a lot of money now, but I really want to start getting into the lionel train hobby. Is there a specific scale or model that I should pursue first, or are there books or mag. etc...
Hi. As far as what scale to use, that is totally a personal preference. I have always had "O" scale. Remember, this is not a cheap hobby. The trains I have were accumulated over many many years, one at a time. I would recommend buying a complete set to start from Lionel or MTH. They come with engine, cars, track and transformer and can be an economical way to begin. Once you get started, then it is a matter of adding things a little at a time.
Hi. It was a little of both. My father started getting things when I was 4, back in 1960.
We had a good amount of stuff when I finally stopped using them when I was about 12 or 13. They sat in the boxes until 1992 when we had our first son. After he was born, I put them up again, and started buying more things. Three sons later, you see the result. The oldest item is a #2332 GG-1 from 1949. Still runs great!
Hey, don't put those trains away. I did 15 years ago and I am sorry I did. I Just set them up under the xmas tree for the first time in 15 years! Also,I bought a new set, the Lionel Conrail set.
That really depends on two things. One is how much money you have to spend and what size layout you're building. If you have enough room to use O-72 radius tracks and can afford almost $2,000 on an engine, get the Lionel full scale version. However, if you have less room and a smaller budget, then the K-Line (or even the Lionmaster versions by Lionel) are slightly smaller and much more affordable.
Absolutely brilliant! I so enjoyed your vid! I had a lionel O gauge in Canada in the 50's and left it behind when we returned to the UK. Your layout is what I dreamed of as a kid.
Hi, thanks for the comments. Actually, it is a Big Boy, but not a Lionel. It's a K-Line that is a fraction smaller than a scale version. The track it runs on is 0-54, but the switches it comes out on are 0-31 cruves. It will navigate those switches.
I agree that the tubular track is not the best in appearance, but it is easily affordable and can easily be shaped to exactly what you need with a hack saw. When I was a kid, we used to have "Super-O" track that had simulated ties and an extrmely thin copper center rail. It looked great but was discontinued and became enormously expensive. We had so much tubular, I just stayed with it.
I remember I used to make rails out of the slim metal parts of used umbrelas before I got my first train set! I had a H0 locomotive but no rails. That ended until I got my first big train set by Christmas and continued to by more rails and trains. I was around 8 years old.
Great work on your setup! One of the best Ive seen!. :)
Very impressive, and I really liked the night-time scene. And although I model in N scale you've still provided me with plenty of inspiration for my own model railroad project. And I humbly thank you.
Aw, jeeze. It's a bit heartbreaking that the "kids are moving on", but one day , sir, when thy have kids of their own... Thank you for the great video!
MarxianVideos 1 week ago
When I was 3, got a Lionel Post War Trains set. It had the Steam Locomotive, the whistling tender, a bin car, box car, oil car, flat car, and caboose. Think I also had 1 of those whistling stations as well. Loved it!! spermee1955
spermee1955 4 weeks ago
Mr. Curto, bite your tongue! I'm 63 years old and still have the 4-8-4 New York Central Steam Engine and the Santa Fe F3 setup that my dad bought in 1958 for around $90.00. All are in Near-Mint shape, from fanatical care and storage, and have been joined by 2 NewHaven EP5's and about 75 cars. You NEVER outgro trains!!!
skudaarkaat1 1 month ago
how did you do this? is it legacy? is it all lionel
doghouseofnerf 1 month ago
@doghouseofnerf My dad started buying trains when I was a kid, in the 60's. We had two engines and a trolley. When I became a teenager, the trains just sort of got ignored and they went back in the boxes for 20+ years. When I had my own kids, we had three boys and I just started setting them up again and adding to them every year. It grew to what you see now. They are mostly Lionel with some MTH, K-Line and Williams as well.
ctyank70 1 month ago
The trains need to go slower
modernwarfare26233 1 month ago
Nice layout. We don't see too many Lionel trains in Oz.
One thing I can't get over are those MASSIVE controllers. I know Lionel has a long history in the industry, and their locos, particularly the older ones, draw a fair whack of current, but I would have thought that you could keep the juice up to them with something more compact these days.
JBofBrisbane 1 month ago
@JBofBrisbane Hi, yeah those big transformers are the classic Lionel "ZW"'s. They are big, powerful and indestructable. Those are from the 1950's and 1960's. There are also other smaller Lionel transformers here that you can't see, as well as a couple of newer MTH units. Nine transformers in all.
ctyank70 1 month ago
@ctyank70 - I have a feeling that the reason Lionel isn't seen much here is that AFAIK they don't do transformers for 240 Volt mains supply.
JBofBrisbane 1 month ago
All I have to say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bowmenbeachrr 2 months ago
Awesome train set! Great show and great wall hangings. That is the ultimate room. My dad had a pretty nice Lionel set when I was very little, but slowly, things got broken, lost or sold, not to mention I was curious and destructive between the ages of 3 and 5.
Raman711 3 months ago
@ctyank70 Thanks so much for this. My son and I just got out a big box of lionel stuff that a friend of mine gave me. We are really excited to get the stuff going after seeing your video. What a great thing for a family to share. Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.
jjdhwy61 3 months ago
Thank you for sharing this. Things like this really show the love a father has for his children. I have 2 boys and 1 girl that would love this.
ChristopherOcean 3 months ago
my family and i have a pretty big layout our selves... my dad and i used to set it up every year for X-mas.. now we havent for ten years :'(
936Asmith 3 months ago
It´s simply amazing, my father gave me a Lionel Train when I was 2 Year Old, I´m now 50 and still keep it! and i haven´t use it for 30 years but I love it maybe I'll give it to my Grandsons when I have them, I only have daughters! I'm Amazed!!! congratulations
Doc35 4 months ago
This is amazing. I am a young teen and i have a 4x17 foot layout in my basement but it does not even compare to this one. I would love to have something like this when i grow up to share with my children
TheNymfan29 5 months ago
Great job in the layout and photography, guys. I'm really enjoying this. I always wanted a Lionel setup with my son.
Apilgrim108 6 months ago
WOW I have watched this video so many times in the past year and it still brings a smile to my face!! I can't wait to see it go back up sometime in the future!! :)
aocruiser 7 months ago
@aocruiser Thanks! Nice to know you get a kick out of it. To be honest, I'm looking forward to putting it back up again someday too!
ctyank70 7 months ago
if i won the lottery ide blow every last penny on this :l
majesticpunch 8 months ago
@majesticpunch Really???!!! Please call me when the winning ticket rolls in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ctyank70 7 months ago
not bad!
maxtuga22 8 months ago
Its like Mister Rogers neighborhood, but on steroids. Very nice.
JohhneyRocket 8 months ago
HOW DID YOU AFFORD IT??? I LOVE IT!!! (srry caps)
YOGI1014 8 months ago
@YOGI1014 This was a collection that began when I was 4 years old. My dad started buying some Lionel trains and when I became a teenager, they went back into the boxes and sat there for years and years. When I had my own kids, they happened to be all boys. I just took the trains out of storage and began buying more and more things every year. Eventually, it grew to what you saw on the video. I can't even calculate how much it would cost if you bought it in one shot!
ctyank70 7 months ago
chuck norrises starter set
terrorrname 9 months ago
Hey man, i love your trains and i love your layout and the way you have it set up. If you were ever going to sell your layout, i would buy it in a heartbeat. Its sad you won't be running your trains until sometime in the future, but keep your love for trains alive.
nintendowii20001 9 months ago
@nintendowii20001 Thanks, but they are definitely NOT for sale!!
ctyank70 9 months ago
cameron looks like a little smartass. Anyway nice train layout.
legoworldfan 10 months ago
This is a "Classic Toy Train Layout" at its Best. A lot going on.
trainroomgary 10 months ago
I still enjoy my trains with my kids. They are younger than yours and I think I will still enjoy them even when they are older. Beautiful layout. Make sure you keep lots of videos and pictures. Thank you for sharing!
trainbuff10 1 year ago
Hi. That Union Pacific is actually a K-Line that I bought about 6 or 7 years ago and it was $499. It is slightly smaller than full O-scale, because those engines need 72 inch radiuus curves and the largest I have is 54 inch. It runs great, was a bargain and unless you really look close, you don't even notice it a little smaller that full scale.
ctyank70 1 year ago
How much was it??? I saw that union pacific Steam engine legacy and in o gauge model railroading (magazine) it said it was 1,399.99 was it respond back
drumkid330 1 year ago
That's confusing how does Cameron keep TRACK of the trains
(get it)
drumkid330 1 year ago
WHY, WHY... IN "GODS" NAME WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT THIS TO REST?
1974Flyingsub 1 year ago
I hear you, and believe me, there is a part of me that would love to keep it up, but my three boys just don't use them anymore. My youngest is now a freshman in high school and these things just sit and sit. One day, when they realize how cool they really are, we'll re-build it. Even if it means that occurs when they have their own kids.
ctyank70 1 year ago
@ctyank70
This is one of the greatest Lionel setups I've seen. I'm starting my own again after years of having them in boxes, and while I have a lot of stuff, this is in a class by itself. I hope you had second thoughts and decided not to tear it down.
CaptHerp 1 year ago
@ctyank70 how much dough are we talkin here pal,and i know u have compiled this over the years,u probably have some pieces even,before your kids were born,how much do u think u spent over the years???.
myleftnutts 10 months ago
@1974Flyingsub don't u know that the kids today are into video war games,something like this would bore them to tears,they live in the virtual world,besides these are Adult toys.
myleftnutts 10 months ago
Hey Mr Curto, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
The only thing I can say is,,,,,
W O W, W O W, and reloaded WOW!!!!!
egarcia7777 1 year ago
Very nice layout.
rickbigs 1 year ago
is the virginian a pwc and i the big boy a tmcc
pensyturbine 1 year ago
Hi. The Virginian is a Lionel dual Pulmor engine from 1971 or so. The Big Boy is actually a K-Line I bought new in 2002 or so. Everything works off vintage Lionel ZW's or a couple of smaller MTH transformers. The sidings operate by cutting the power off to the ones I am not not using and powering up the engine I want running through the use of toggle switches I bought from Radio Shack. It's all very simply in design and works extremely well.
ctyank70 1 year ago
Those controllers are HUUUUGE... but I guess they have to cope with some pretty heavy currents with those old motors and lighted coaches. I bet the meters at your place go round really fast when you switch all that on. Cool layout.
That "really big steam engine... Union Pacific" is a Big Boy, isn't it? That'd be worth a tidy sum today.
JBofBrisbane 1 year ago
@JBofBrisbane Hi. All those huge transformers are original ZW's from Lionel. There are a couple of smaller, new transformewrs from MTH, but there are 11 total tranformers and 9 of them are vintage power units. That Big-Boy you mentioned was actually a newer train. I bought it new about 8 years ago, so compared to some of the really older ones (1947 #2332 GG1 Lionel being the oldest), it is a baby. Thanks for the comments. Have a Happy New Year "down under"! (I assume you're in Australia)?
ctyank70 1 year ago
Love the basement and all the Yankee gear on the wall! Nice set up, I just went through all the old Lionel trains in my parents basement, have the old O scale lionel trains from the 40s and 50s, pretty dusty, but tested them out today and run great! Again nice set up, are you guys on Long Island? just a guess with that thick accent I hear!
rayshady27 1 year ago
Hi. Glad you enjoyed the set-up......AND the Yankees. No, we don't live on Long Island, although my wife is from Long Island. I grew up in Westchester County in New York (about 25 minutes north of Manhattan) and we live in Connecticut now. Have a great holiday and enjoy those trains! (It was funny to hear you say they still ran great. I had the same experience with a lot of these that were really old. "They don't make 'em like they used to"!)
ctyank70 1 year ago
@ctyank70 Well, I got the trains up and running, maybe I ran the 224 locomotive a little too long, I think 30 minutes today was probably the most it ever ran in 60 years. Started smoking and that was the end of her, back to the hobby shop for some service!
rayshady27 1 year ago
im trying to set up a layout but i need some help
MyBobbob12 1 year ago
What's the problem?
ctyank70 1 year ago
can you give me the plans for the set up i like it
coppying
MyBobbob12 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
can you give me the plans for the set up i like it but ill modify it a little so im not coppying
MyBobbob12 1 year ago
can you give me the plans for the set up i like it but ill modify it a little so im not coppying
MyBobbob12 1 year ago
Hi. If I had plans, I would surely give them to you, but I don't. They layout is something that takes it's own shape. I lay out the outside track according to the shape of the table. I then work inwards, one track at a time, making whatever I feel I want it to look like, working in the accessories and making the towns and cities at the same time The upper tracks follow the same logic. I work from the outside in, but have never had a drawn-out plan. It goes straight from "head to table".
ctyank70 1 year ago
man i would be careful. you got trains flying across those tracks like hell. you should put something around it or the trains will go flying off the tracks. it happened to me. i have the same trains and i was going not too fast and when i hit a turn the train went flying off the tracks and i threw away 900 dollars in trains that day.
roanldinhoac 1 year ago
cool layout and lots of action nice video
artntrinkets 1 year ago
Very QUALITY video and TRAINS! That brings back some memories! Thank you for this! Very enjoyable! A memory came back to me about providing energy to alternate tracks, what a great experience! Your boy, that was me! He'll look back on running that train and think of how relaxing it is! I remember that smell of WD-40 and the sandpaper grit of that green grass, de-energizing alternate tracks and my favorite engine, the blue santa fe from 1970s.
sharpypilfong 1 year ago
that all MPC??
7475flyersfan 1 year ago
@7475flyersfan Hi. No, not nearly all are MPC. The oldest one is a GGI from 1947 that works like new. A few are from the 50's and 60's. I have maybe three that are from the MPC era, like the FM Virginian and the E-5 Milwaukee. I also have some Williams, MTH and K-Line.
ctyank70 1 year ago
NIce job! All Old School Lionel , just like the catalogs.
2344F3 1 year ago
good choice i hope my kids will do the same later in life you sould just keep them up for youe self you never get to old to play with lionel trains i love that layout you got when it comes time to start building my layout im most likely going to need some help on how to the beat way i have so many way that i want it just not 100% sure but will know when the time comes
grizzleybearz282004 1 year ago
i goyt 15 sets now but dont have my dream layout up yet got anything you what to sell or are you hoping the boys will get back in the game and take them
grizzleybearz282004 1 year ago
@grizzleybearz282004 Sorry, but nothing is for sale. I may decide to put them up again one year, but definitely I will keep them for my sons to give to their kids.
ctyank70 1 year ago
btw how do u afford all that!!?
crazystuff441 1 year ago
@crazystuff441 It is expensive, but this was a collection that was started when I was just a kid and my dad bought a few engines and cars. Once I had my own kids and they were all boys, I started buying stuff every year and it just grew and grew. I never could just go out and buy all this in one shot.
ctyank70 1 year ago
thats the big boy
codybrock2345 1 year ago
wheres the smoke????????
crazystuff441 1 year ago
@crazystuff441 With the number of steam engines, if all of them were filled up and smoking at the same time, it's overwhelming. Once in a while is ok, but not all the time!
ctyank70 1 year ago
if i get the money ill think ill make a layout but in ho scale
usafisasome 1 year ago
Holy Moly! I never knew my dad and at 43 I finally found him. Turns out he was an engineer for most of his life. He sent me my first christmas present a couple years ago.......he sent me a Lionel train set. The Pennsylvania Flyer. Anyway.....There is something about trains and dads. This is the most awsome train set my five year old son and I have EVER seen. ! He just said "Holy Cow!" LOL
Youngblood1223 1 year ago
@Youngblood1223 WOW! That is amazing about finding your dad again after all those years. I hope you can make up for lost time and use the set he sent you as a starting point for building great memories with your own son. Congratulations!
ctyank70 1 year ago
Nice layout . I like the train yard next to the airport .
DTRAVELZ 1 year ago
Ive got an old train set, just one train, but its an old cast iron train, with really old tracks, & cars. My dad gave it to me, & his mom bought it for him in the 60s from an antique shop. It makes smoke, & runs around the little track. Ive always thought of getting some new track & fixing the wiring in the cars.
Hypn0Guru 1 year ago
Kinda made me sad. My father and I have started building our layout again from his old train set, and I am 28. We had such fond memories of doing this when I was a kid and my wife and I plan to have our kids join in when they are old enough. NICE LAYOUT!!! If you ever want to sell anything, let me know.
kboruss000 1 year ago
Hi, What is happening with you and your dad is what happened to me. These trains sat in boxes for years when I hit 13 or so and didn't come out again until I had my boys. I realized when I was an adult just how cool they really are. My kids are now into other things and they may not realize how cool they really are until they are adults and have thier own kids. In the meantime, I can assure you that they are not for sale! Have fun and enjoy the memories you have and the ones you will make.
ctyank70 1 year ago
what scale is your model cars im building a 1/24 scale drag strip diarama scene with old buildings and a train crossing
7StarsFromTheMoOn 1 year ago
@7StarsFromTheMoOn
Hi, those cars that are on the layout are 1:43 scale. They are simple die-cast cars that you can find anywhere. Glad you enjoyed the layout. It was a lot of fun to build.
ctyank70 1 year ago
the yellow trolly car is my favorite my dad was into all this till he changed it was fun growing up.all you need now is some slot cars that are up to scale with the trains
7StarsFromTheMoOn 1 year ago
nice layout
multipizzaz 1 year ago
Love this video. Me and my kids have watched it several times. Hoping to build something similar for my boys, but need to research how it's done. Thanks for making this video and inspiring us!
magnumopus1970 1 year ago
@magnumopus1970
I can help with that! If you need to research ho its done just buy some HO or N scale magazine's and they sale products and in them it tells you how to do it...just convert it t o gauge :)!
As for mountains/hills...you can use plaster but I would use a mascot building teqnuiqe. just make a wire shape of the hill/mountain you want , place sticky newspaper on it (forgot what its called) and put track holders under the track when your done hotclueing fake grass on!
omgwhatafag 1 year ago
i think they like them Yankees too all American family alot of work and good work just one think wrong am tack didnt derail good layout
cottonx7 1 year ago
Love your set up and someday I wll get mine out,,I have 12 sets of the 2343 Lionel Diesel sets like the one your running here,,,also I have 15 turbines including a 682 and probably 2 or 3 each of almost every engine Lionel ever built,,,of course I dont have the real high dollar ones but I have plenty of the 2056's and 2055's and 225's and 224's and and 2037's and practicaly all the other numbers of this price range,,also I have a double 2026 i made 2 engines from and its long as your arm,,haha.
snowmangsx1100 1 year ago
that looks awesome :D i wish i could do something like that
roder000 1 year ago
This is a great layout. A lot of time and creativity went into designing and building it. What a legacy to leave to you and your kids. Thanks for sharing.
bluecomet390 1 year ago
This is super awesome. plenty of family time consumed?
lewisvilletx 1 year ago
hahaha ily cam curto :)
dcavisurgurl 1 year ago
Wonderful layout. Thank you for putting the video out.
molldyer 1 year ago
My uncle has a lot of old trains in his old house, and he might give me some for christmas.
WunderwaffeDG4 1 year ago
you would tear that down?!! Thats a beatuiful layout. Don't you dare. lol
1225dude 1 year ago
Well, I read all the comments after seeing this video and it's very cool that your explanations are so helpful and expand on the legacy that your Dad left you and your four sons.
They will thank you for preserving them.
Pete
MrVernondfw 2 years ago
Thanks for the very kind comments. The meaning these things have for me goes way beyond a simple train set and really make me think of my own youth and dad. I know my guys will rediscover them again, exactly the way I did. Who knows, I may even put them up just for me some day!
ctyank70 2 years ago
Dude,
Trust me, they're gonna come back to the trains after the novelty and fickleness of women wear off. It might take twenty years ,but it will wear off! I wish my Dad were this cool!
Pete
MrVernondfw 2 years ago
Great layout. love the number of trains running at once.
trainstrainsandmore 2 years ago
Very cool train layout, Randy
K7AGE 2 years ago
Very nice layout!
Vikarlee 2 years ago
very,very nice layout,but where are the subways??????????????
SNOSTER1 2 years ago
Love that Behemoth @ 3:05.
Brilliant layout. Shame about the "They're getting older" comment. Trains are ageless! XD
5*
Staratino 2 years ago
Thanks. I agree with you about being "ageless". What seems to be the case, though is that younger kids really love them. When they hit their teenage years, they discover other things and lose interest. However, when they get older and become adults, the facination and interest comes back. Adults that come to visit get as much of a kick out of the trains as the young kids. They will be put up again, I'm sure.
ctyank70 2 years ago
Very Impressive!
yyztrooper 2 years ago
Very nice.
g4monster 2 years ago
don't give up trains!!!!!
TractorJohn123 2 years ago
yeah so don't give up the trains its a great hobby
fordsuckbigtime 2 years ago
Comment removed
TractorJohn123 2 years ago
Hey, just to be sure here, "TractorJohn", are you actually calling me a "dumbass"? If so, at least try SPELLING it correctly, you "DUMBASS".
ctyank70 2 years ago
srry just don't give up trains
TractorJohn123 2 years ago
I never understood how O gauge can take turns just as sharp if not sharper than HO. I built a layout and there's one turn that is no sharper than any of these yet cars seem to wanna cave on that part.
sestren2503 2 years ago
@sestren2503
On this layout, virtually all the curves are 54" radius. The only curves that are smaller are the ones where the switches are, along with the inside ovals. Those are 31" radius. Some of the larger passenger cars look a little awkward on the O-31, but they make it. If you had a car or an engine that was too large (some engines require O-72", for example) you wouldn't make it around without derailing.
ctyank70 2 years ago
cytank70, Those curves are 54" DIAMETER, 27" RADIUS
0-72 = 72" Diameter, 36" Radius
0-54 = 54" Diameter, 27" Radius
0-42 = 42" Diameter, 21" Radius
0-31 = 31" Diameter, 15.5", Radius
daogrady 2 years ago
You are correct. I said radius, but it is diameter.
ctyank70 2 years ago
It is a shame to take down a layout like what You have there. It looks like a LOT of Fun.
daogrady 2 years ago
Thanks. It is a lot of fun, but it was getting used less and less. I'm sure they will make a big return one day.
ctyank70 2 years ago
This is super awesome. plenty of family time consumed?
how many sets are running at the same time?
and how big is your playroom?
and how much electricity this requires?
lewisvilletx 1 year ago
@ctyank70 aww sad i remember my dad took apart ours it made me sad.besides him quiting racing and his life havent talked in 7 years
7StarsFromTheMoOn 1 year ago
Loving this..well takin care of system..
scottielarock 2 years ago
I love trains
DODGEBALLLLLLL 2 years ago
thats od
devdog5009 2 years ago
What they said, I've had Lionel Trains all my life but yours is one of the best I've seen! Really enjoyed the video thanks a LOT!
jwl9286 2 years ago
GREAT LAYOUT,,,,,don't take it down,,,you are never too old to play with trains,,,,I still play with my trains,,,,,look at my video page,,,,,,,jack
trainmaster1226 2 years ago
Nice layout. Sorry to understand that the next group won't enjoy it until third generation.
leopold1944 2 years ago
Oh wow! Looks just like the kind of layout that the Lionel factory would set up. Lots of neat action going on. Although I have moved to using gargraves track, I still love the ever so stong and useful "O" gauge and its 022 switches. Lots of fun!
switchstand 2 years ago
Hi, I don't know if you remember, but Lionel used to make track back in the 50's and 60's called "Super-O". It had a super-thin copper center rail and fake wood ties. It really was great looking, although the thin center rail wore out the rollers pretty fast. Anyway, as the set grew, it became impossible to find Super-O and if you did, it was incredibly expensive. I just decided to go with the tried and trusty tubular. It looks weak, but works great and you can cut it to any size and shape!
ctyank70 2 years ago
nice job , very surrealistic.
Try: treinbaan 4005
karelfromholland 2 years ago
thanks for correcting me man
saintangerinc 2 years ago
sure it is just like the post war one just the collers are a little differnt but the same coller seems and evry thing so
sweetchildomine14 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
cool cool and cool
bkjay2 2 years ago
love that postwar Milwaukee road
saintangerinc 2 years ago
its not post war it was made in 76 i think i have the same one but it is a great ep-5
sweetchildomine14 2 years ago
Very inspiring. I just bought a Lionel train for my daughter. We are already wanting to expand. (7-11175 model).
SquareHead73 2 years ago
You should enter this into some competitions! Very impressive. Any personal favorites (engines)?
clarkshapedbox 2 years ago
Thanks. It has grown amazingly over the years. As for favorite engines, they would have to be the #2332 GG1 Pennsylvania from 1947, the twin engine Santa Fe from 1960, the "Big Boy" steam engine that is actually just a few years old and the MTH Blue Comet which is also fairly new. Of course, the first one my dad bought when I was a kid is a #2359 Boston & Maine GP9. That is a sentimental favorite.
ctyank70 2 years ago
the boston and maine is like my fav loco its realy nice you are realy luky.was it in the set or buy its self
sweetchildomine14 2 years ago
Awesome train table! Man that's awesome and it looks like some, if not all, of the engines are controllable by tmcc
dickcheney6 2 years ago
Hi. Thanks for the comments, but actually everything is controlled by either vintage Lionel ZW's or MTH tranformers. I wired up the siding's where the different engines are separately from each other and the track itself. There is a master control I built with toggle switches from Radio Shack that control when I bring the power to each engine. Sounds more complicated that it really is.
ctyank70 2 years ago
Wow thats bigger than my american flyer layout thats in a working progress.
WorldWarMovies823 2 years ago
wow that is amazing!!! I have the alaska set and i love it had it for about 6 years but dont have the money to really jump into the hobby as id like to... the set you have there is well over 2000 bucks!!! great job and I am envious of your one of a kind set
m4ttatt4ck 2 years ago
Very amazing set and video. Thanks. What do you suggest for someone like me who doesn't have a lot of money now, but I really want to start getting into the lionel train hobby. Is there a specific scale or model that I should pursue first, or are there books or mag. etc...
abrezina 2 years ago
Hi. As far as what scale to use, that is totally a personal preference. I have always had "O" scale. Remember, this is not a cheap hobby. The trains I have were accumulated over many many years, one at a time. I would recommend buying a complete set to start from Lionel or MTH. They come with engine, cars, track and transformer and can be an economical way to begin. Once you get started, then it is a matter of adding things a little at a time.
ctyank70 2 years ago
i love this layout great one
fordsuckbigtime 2 years ago
Great platform!! Wow!
jwcoopest1975 2 years ago
you collected these when you was little ? or you got them for the kids
thomaso9 2 years ago
Hi. It was a little of both. My father started getting things when I was 4, back in 1960.
We had a good amount of stuff when I finally stopped using them when I was about 12 or 13. They sat in the boxes until 1992 when we had our first son. After he was born, I put them up again, and started buying more things. Three sons later, you see the result. The oldest item is a #2332 GG-1 from 1949. Still runs great!
ctyank70 2 years ago
OMG! Thousand dollars set! Great Set!
rober98765 2 years ago
Nice! Great setup!
jodini5 2 years ago
Hey, don't put those trains away. I did 15 years ago and I am sorry I did. I Just set them up under the xmas tree for the first time in 15 years! Also,I bought a new set, the Lionel Conrail set.
GEOMIMI89 2 years ago
i want to get a big boy should i get lionel or k line
racerboy23432 2 years ago
That really depends on two things. One is how much money you have to spend and what size layout you're building. If you have enough room to use O-72 radius tracks and can afford almost $2,000 on an engine, get the Lionel full scale version. However, if you have less room and a smaller budget, then the K-Line (or even the Lionmaster versions by Lionel) are slightly smaller and much more affordable.
ctyank70 2 years ago
I love this layout. It is just right. 5/5
JERRYR708 2 years ago
Absolutely brilliant! I so enjoyed your vid! I had a lionel O gauge in Canada in the 50's and left it behind when we returned to the UK. Your layout is what I dreamed of as a kid.
Thanks!
TCSC47 2 years ago
please make more vids!!!!!!!!!!!
gleebproductions 2 years ago
awesome layout, is that a lionel 'big boy' steam engine? they cost big bucs
JxT1957 2 years ago
@JxT1957
Hi, thanks for the comments. Actually, it is a Big Boy, but not a Lionel. It's a K-Line that is a fraction smaller than a scale version. The track it runs on is 0-54, but the switches it comes out on are 0-31 cruves. It will navigate those switches.
ctyank70 2 years ago
watching this video made me get my old 4-4-2 coastal limited steam engine out. this brings back wonderful memories from when i was a kid
kija99 2 years ago
at 3:07 the steam engine is that a 4-8-8-4 big boy
racerboy23432 2 years ago
Yes. It is one, but a K-Line, and slightly smaller one that will actually navigate the 0-31 switches it comes out on. Good call!
ctyank70 2 years ago
Comment removed
racerboy23432 2 years ago
this is well built that is what im tryin to do yankees 2009 world champs 27
yankees9594 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing that!
tripster4 2 years ago
The setup is great!
I am fanatic of H0 Scale. Lionel trains flanges are ridiculously huge and the tracks look so fake with that darn middle rail and lack of ties.
RerailMe 2 years ago
I agree that the tubular track is not the best in appearance, but it is easily affordable and can easily be shaped to exactly what you need with a hack saw. When I was a kid, we used to have "Super-O" track that had simulated ties and an extrmely thin copper center rail. It looked great but was discontinued and became enormously expensive. We had so much tubular, I just stayed with it.
ctyank70 2 years ago
Even though, your great setup makes up for it!
I remember I used to make rails out of the slim metal parts of used umbrelas before I got my first train set! I had a H0 locomotive but no rails. That ended until I got my first big train set by Christmas and continued to by more rails and trains. I was around 8 years old.
Great work on your setup! One of the best Ive seen!. :)
RerailMe 2 years ago
Very impressive, and I really liked the night-time scene. And although I model in N scale you've still provided me with plenty of inspiration for my own model railroad project. And I humbly thank you.
michaelmohrmann 2 years ago
Thank you, Michael. I appreciate the kind words. Putting these up has been a lot of fun with my kids over the years.
ctyank70 2 years ago
are your trains for sale
microtekpwr 2 years ago
No, sorry, they are NOT for sale.
ctyank70 2 years ago
I love your layout it looks great
Fanatic13579 2 years ago
This is a great layout! My son and I really enjoyed watching it. Thanks for posting.
btstehura 2 years ago
lets go yankees lol i love lionel
thomaso9 2 years ago
Pictures on the wall are crooked =/ ... nice trains though!
fnsmyd 2 years ago
nice, I have much to do when I see this.
greatings from a Dutch u.s. train fan.
bens64 2 years ago
are you keeping this layout up or no I would keep it up
Californiabros 2 years ago
I watched this a few times and LOVED it !
'ThankYou !!
TommyZTrains 2 years ago