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Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:05 am
by mymodeltrain
I never have a Lionel locomotive before but recently I have some interest to own one. But I don't know whether Lionel standard gauge locomotive can run on LGB tracks?
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:01 am
by GTB
mymodeltrain wrote: ↑Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:05 am
But I don't know whether Lionel standard gauge locomotive can run on LGB tracks?
The short answer is no......
If you mean the large scale toy trains Lionel introduced before WW1 and stopped making by WW2, it won't run on anything except Lionel standard gauge track, or a few other contemporary US brands like Ives.
The lionel track gauge is quoted online as 2 1/8", which is a little wider than European Gauge 2. Not within a bull's roar of Gauge 1, which is 1 3/4" (45mm) track gauge.
Regards,
Graeme
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 2:40 pm
by IrishPeter
The 1909 standards for model railways in Europe were:
Ga. 0 - 1.25"
Ga. 1 - 1.75"
Ga. 2 - 2"
Ga. 3 - 2.5"
When Marklin had introduced 2.5" gauge in 1891 they had called it 2 Gauge (Spur II), but the British later adopted 2" which became Ga. 2 when the terminology was standardized in 1909. I believe I am correct in saying that German terminology has reverted to referring to Ga. 3 as Spur II since its revival in the 1980s.
Lionel managed to slot in their Standard Gauge somewhere between the 1909 Ga. 2 and Ga. 3 which means you have to either get hold of old Lionel track or build your own.
Peter in Va
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:03 pm
by Big Jim
Didn't some Lionel stuff run on 110v AC?
The modern Lionel range does include G scale.
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:30 pm
by IrishPeter
Big Jim wrote: ↑Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:03 pm
Didn't some Lionel stuff run on 110v AC?
That would liven up any cat or small child silly enough to sit on the third rail.
Peter in Va
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:42 pm
by Big Jim
IrishPeter wrote: ↑Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:30 pm
Big Jim wrote: ↑Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:03 pm
Didn't some Lionel stuff run on 110v AC?
That would liven up an cat or small child silly enough to sit on the third rail.
Peter in Va
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 10:21 pm
by IrishPeter
Big Jim wrote: ↑Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:42 pm
Precisely. I don't know if it is an old wives' tale, but am told that you have appreciably less chance of surviving being zapped by 110-115V AC because unlike the higher voltages used in the UK and elsewhere 110V tends not to throw you clear when you make casual contact with it. It is also a voltage that does nasty stuff to the human nervous system.
My usual comment about the US and electrical stuff is "Ya shoulda listened to Tesla sooner!"
Peter in Va
Re: Lionel standard gauge
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2018 2:53 am
by mymodeltrain
IrishPeter wrote: ↑Wed Nov 21, 2018 2:40 pm
The 1909 standards for model railways in Europe were:
Ga. 0 - 1.25"
Ga. 1 - 1.75"
Ga. 2 - 2"
Ga. 3 - 2.5"
When Marklin had introduced 2.5" gauge in 1891 they had called it 2 Gauge (Spur II), but the British later adopted 2" which became Ga. 2 when the terminology was standardized in 1909. I believe I am correct in saying that German terminology has reverted to referring to Ga. 3 as Spur II since its revival in the 1980s.
Lionel managed to slot in their Standard Gauge somewhere between the 1909 Ga. 2 and Ga. 3 which means you have to either get hold of old Lionel track or build your own.
Peter in Va
Thanks all for the information.