Jeff's Lionel Trains Page

I have no permanent layout. Trains are only set up around Christmas time. The pictures below show the most recent layout from 2011. Keep scrolling down to see how the layout began and evolved.

Click thumbnails for larger image.

2009 - The Beginning

I had not planned to buy Lionel trains. But I was inspired by a chance encounter with a Lionel Lines starter set (7-11175) marketed by Walmart and other retailers for the 2009 Christmas season. I decided the Walmart set was too thin on features. So I opted for a Pennsylvania Keystone Special starter set (6-30096). I liked that the set included the larger CW-80 transformer. I liked that the locomotive had a traditional air whistle and a usable front coupler. I added a Pennsylvania Flyer Expansion Pack (6-30037) plus a switch and some extra track for a storage spur.

My first Lionel starter sets.

Friend or Foe? Belle sizes up this new critter roaming her living room.

The coal hopper that came with the Expansion Pack had an unreliable coupler. Apparently this is a common problem caused by a weak uncoupler plunger. I order some spare uncoupler plungers (9050-57). After removing one axle from the truck, the old uncoupler plunger can be popped out with a screwdriver. Then everything snaps back together.

Spare uncoupler plungers (9050-57).

2010

For 2010 I added an Outer Passing Loop Track Pack (6-12031). And I cobbled together a Pennsylvania passenger train including a baggage car (6-16022), combine (6-16009), coach (6-35168) and dinner (6-35167). I have no special interest in the Pennsylvania Railroad (actually I'm a Reading fan). But I began with a Pennsylvania starter set and decided to stick with that theme.

Pennsy passenger train.

Scruffy about to go Godzilla on a passing train.

When I tested my Pennsy passenger train I noticed that the lights flickered in the two older solid-color cars. The lights in the newer striped cars worked fine. The older cars flickered because they had a pickup assembly on only one truck whereas the newer cars have a pickup on each truck. So I bought some extra pickup assemblies to add to the older cars (600-9050-150). The assemblies snap right into the existing truck frames. Some wire and solder completed the upgrade.

Snap in pickup assembly (600-9050-150).

2011

I bought two more switches and a little more track. This year's track plan comprises an oval with an inner reversing track, an inner siding and two outer yard tracks.

Scruffy inspects a freight train stopped on the inner siding. A passenger train rolls through the reversing track. Outer yard tracks are at lower left.

The two outer yard tracks can each store a train.

I wanted to be able to isolate locomotives on my three sidings without running wires or building a control panel. So each siding is equipped with a 1-3⁄8" straight track section (6-12073). These sections have a gapped center rail with an underside jumper. I drilled a hole in the roadbed, installed a small toggle switch and wired the switch to the jumper. The bottom of the toggle switch slightly protrudes below the base of the track. But that's okay since I set up on carpet.

Outer yard tracks with isolation toggle switches (red circles).

Underside of 1-3⁄8" straight track section with toggle switch installation.

I have a real 2001 Dodge Ram. So Lionel's Pennsylvania Dodge Ram Inspection Vehicle (6-18438) was a must buy.

Pennsylvania Dodge Ram Inspection Vehicle (6-18438).

Last year I looked for a Lionel side-rod switcher with a Pennsylvania paint scheme. But no such locomotive exists. So I decided to make my own. First I acquired a small D.C. powered four-wheel Pennsy locomotive that was included with Lionel's low-budget "Midnight Shift" starter set (6-11708). All I wanted was the Pennsy locomotive shell. Next I purchased a new PWC #41 U.S. Army switcher (6-18474). The Pennsy shell fits right on the Army chassis. But the shell was thin on detail so I also added handrails and headlight bulbs. I didn't scrap any parts off the Army shell so I can readily restore the Army switcher to its original condition. The project turned out to be more involved than I expected, but I ended up with a unique little locomotive.

Components for my Pennsylvania switcher project.

Finished model.

Weaver WK&S Cars

Over the years I've collected a few Weaver cars decorated for the WK&S railroad. I don't run them often because the cars are true scale and look silly next to the rest of my traditional Lionel equipment.

Weaver true scale Wanamaker Kempton & Southern cars.

Notes for Next Year

The new GG-1 Freight Set (6-30171) may be a consideration.