Layout Episode #3 Choosing O Scale Track and Power. It all works right? Not Exactly!

Explaining the different transformers recommended for different locomotives
Comparing pros and cons of different O Scale Track

[@carlmiles8655]

Hello Mike NICE SHIRT Thanks for sharing I see the YOU ARE ENJOYING YOURSELF GOD BLESS ;-)

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thank you Carl! I appreciate it, having some fun for sure! God bless! 🙂

[@tonyarsenault4256]

Used FastTrack for years with no issue at all. With each piece of track having individual power spades just drop your 110. Spade Connections Power supplies to your bus feed and your ready to go. Any track mounted directly to plywood will be noisy. I do recommend WoodLands foam sound suppression / foam insulation that really helps with the noise. Carpet foam is also a good alternative, just trim the excess when track is mounted to your layout.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Good info, thanks Tony, I ended up using it on this layout since I had so much left over from years ago when I was going to use it on my main layout. It’s actually pretty quiet since I applied landscaping material to the top of my foam. 👍

[@jsgtrains3176]

Hi Mike, Great video as always, you know, some of it was remedial and some of it wasn't so thanks for doing it. I appreciate it. Can't wait for the next one. Please keep us all posted., take care, buddy. Joe

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thank you Joe! I appreciate it. Talk you soon buddy! 👍

[@VIDEOLA1]

Thanks! Good stuff. I think I’ll go Gargraves. 👌🏽🇺🇸

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thank you, not a bad choice, I use Gargraves for my S and some standard gauge.

[@robertstrains3811]

Hi Mike, thanks for sharing! Can’t await to see your layout!

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Hi, you’re welcome! I appreciate it! 🙂

[@Cbtrainnut]

Nice video Mike. Thanks for sharing!

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thank you 👍

[@jamesburns0657]

Great information, I too have the LW powering my layout with a fast blow fuse for my "upgraded" postwar. I'm using Gargraves sectional for the curves and their rigid three footers on the straights and Ross switches. I really like the Atlas track you talked about, makes me want to say hmmm...

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Good stuff James, sounds like you have a great setup. The fast blow fuse is an option for sure, I’ve seen people use those and circuit breakers. Thank you for checking out the video! 👍🙂

[@playingwithmytrains5440]

Hey Mike. I finally upgraded my old Lionel CW80 to an MTH 4000. That thing is a beast. I love it. As you know I am one of those guys that just puts up temporary layouts for the holidays. I will be starting on this years Halloween layout soon. Hope you are doing a Halloween layout this year.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Hi! Yes, I love the 4000! Nice choice in an upgrade for sure. This is my table for my Halloween layout this year. I moved back to the garage to have more room for people to see it and it had always been in the garage except last year. Wasn’t the same fun experience as in the garage! I’m looking forward to seeing yours! 🙂

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Transformer power very important

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

👍 absolutely

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Nice and Sweeeet information

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thank you, you’re welcome 👍

[@Shipwright1918]

Use a postwar ZW myself, and I run everything from prewar to modern with little trouble, upgraded the contact rollers to the new metal ones and have a couple lights tied into the track circuit to soak up any transients to protect the circuit-boards alongside a circuit breaker. As for track, went with O27 tubular as it allowed for a more complex track plan in the small space I have, didn't hurt it was cheaper new-old stock than anything else I could find.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Sounds like you have a fun set up! I love my ZW for sure, I never added a fast blow fuse or circuit breaker since I ended up with a modern transformer for my setup I run those trains on. I know what you mean with the 027, some really fun options for track plans. I really enjoy watching people’s post of postwar layouts where so much track can fit in a smaller space. I like looking at the plans in the old Lionel brochures as well. I’ll build one someday with 031 I think. 👍

[@Shipwright1918]

To be fair, I considered a Z-4000 for a while, but even secondhand they're fairly expensive units, so refurbing a postwar one was easier on the ol' budget. Do have a lot of fun with my O27 pike, lots of sidings for using operating accessories and figure-8 loops and other train action goodness! Lot of people think O27 is limiting because of the tightness of the curves, but in my experience it hasn't been so sticking with semi-scale equipment. Have big 'uns like 4-8-4's and even a Railking Challenger that do just fine.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Sounds like a lot of fun! I grow up with HO, Tyco type stuff on a 4x8. I’d save money and mainly buy their operating buildings because it was so much more fun. That is another reason I’d like to model a 40’s/50’s era Lionel set up. The operating stuff! 👍🙂

[@Shipwright1918]

The operating stuff can get a bit pricey too sometimes, but I've had good luck getting some of the modern re-issues by Lionel, MTH, and K-Line, usually tend to be cheaper but still work identically to the original ones. Just found a reissue of American Flyer's Gabe the Lamplighter by MTH, looking forward to installing it on the layout soon.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Agreed, the remakes are pretty nice, very cool on the Gabe find! 👍

[@mikeyanello3664]

Thanks Mike I enjoyed the video

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thank you for comment and compliment 👍. You’re welcome

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Middle to late 2000’s I spent probably $750 on a yard of Fastrak and switches for the lower part of a layout. Too noisy, sold it all 6 years and returned to tubular. It was too loud.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

It is loud for sure! Thank you for checking out the video. 👍

[@whitmorestrains]

You know my choice in track!

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

For sure! You’re layouts looking awesome!

[@MWade-wp8pv]

Mike, I hope all is well! I think I've decided to purchase a ZW for power. As you know I run mostly conventional, with a couple LionChiefs in the mix. Any advice on which year or power rating ZW to get? I'd be buying local from Train Town, so other than making sure the power cord is good and the arms roll smoothly, I feel like I read alot of conflicting info on whether to go for the 275 or the 250....

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Hi Marcus, I would get the 275, I used one my first two years in O, and still do occasionally on Christmas and Halloween layouts. Make sure to get a fast blow circuit breaker to protect your locomotives with electrics, the ZW is not forgiving in that area, a derailment can easily burn up a modern locomotive. I burned up a Halloween spooky sounds box car for example. Other than that, it’s a great transformer, plenty of power!

[@hpelisr]

Good explanation of the track, yes I needed that. Do some of the wooden tie tracks interchange ? Gargraves and Ross or Atlas?

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

I see people interchange Gargraves and Ross a lot. We also used to have a shop that sold Atlas, Ross, and Lionel Fastrack and he used all three together. Ross and Gargraves being wood ties look good together, that’s what we used on our Lionel Club layout. Gargraves track and Ross switches.

[@peterg321]

Nice discussion video - well done. Why is the video flipped? All the writing is reversed.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Thanks, I’m not sure unless the app I used for the tripod caused that to happen. It’s the first time I’ve tested using it. I’ll have to look into it. Thanks for letting me know. When I reviewed before posting it didn’t look backwards. Hmmm 🤔

[@peterg321]

Just look at the writing on your t-shirt and the sign above the door.

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

I see it now, something I’ll have to figure out, because I like how the stand follows me. I was using my camera on the screen side instead of the back. Next video I’ll flip it around. 👍. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@huntercoleman460]

What track did you end up choosing Mike?

[@Crazy4TrainsToysNHobbies]

Hi Hunter, I’ll probably stick with the fast track for this build, 80% sure at this point. Thanks Hunter!