Lionel 700E Full Scale NYC 5344 Hudson on the T-Rail Lake Shore Railway, plus 8976 and scale cars

See Lionel's Prewar Full Scale equipment operating on the T-Rail Lake Shore Railway. See the 700E NYC 5344 Hudson, 700K Kit Hudsons, the 701 PRR 8976 B6 Switcher, 714, 715, 716, 717 Full Scale Freight Cars and Railchief Streamlined cars, all operating on T-Rail.

[@hastyone9048]

Spectacular locomotives and rolling stock. My scale Hudson and B6 are my favorite loco’s.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching. The 700E and 701 are the locos that Lionel created T-Rail for. Please ride the LSRR any time.

[@BrianShockey]

I'm looking at my 5344 700e from 1937 sitting here on my desk wishing I had a T Rail Layout to run it. This video is amazing! Cannot imagine how long it took you to find all these trains, scale cars, and buildings.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching. For me, the pursuit of Full scale Lionel and T-Rail has been a long road. I am lucky to have finally been able to assemble the layout and operate my Hudsons and other trains.

[@ralphmiller2265]

My 700e is also the 1937 model. Do you have warping issues? I've been very fortunate as mine survived. I know the 1937 models were subject to zinc rot and warpage and that Lionel rectified this issue in 1938 and on. It's funny, today's Lionel is facing zinc rot issues again, shame on them!!

[@patrickwalsh279]

This one gets my "Best of KZbin" award (sorry, there isn't a trophy or cash.) Those prewar Lionels are exquisite, the layout is superb, and your videography deserves an Oscar. Great stuff!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching, stay tuned for more to come.

[@angeloarimborgo6352]

What a great music video! Being a lover of trains and a professional guitarist I watched this all the way through for the music as much as the train videos! Thanks! 👍

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thank you for watching and for your comments. My high-water-mark with the guitar was a garage band when I was in my teens. Never was able to get a real band together.

[@TrainBandit]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator I watched it all the way through over and over because of these wonderful t rail locomotives and music. 👍. I am also a guitar player and wish I could call myself a professional player lol. Did you playing a banjo with this or or did you play close to the bridge. I can’t quite tell but I want to guess you are playing close to the bridge at 10:17

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

@@TrainBandit I don't recall. I think this sound track was a combo of personal stuff and stuff done on my Garage Band app on the I pad. I do like cord picking close to the bridge, Mrs Brown You've got a Lovely Daughter is an old favorite.

[@samjohnson3431]

No what I meant was tears of joy. Way back in 1941 I got my first Lionel train, along with a stack of Lionel catalogs and the hard bound dealers catalog, which I still have today and look longing . I was able to get most of the accessories but the class of trains you have never came m y way. (My father worked for a wholesaler of Lionel trains.) I'll be watching you.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments.

[@johnlong7178]

Damn fine music, and fine layout and trains!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

thanks for watching.

[@philipmorris6551]

Jim, It just doesn't get any better! What a great video depicting Lionel's finest O-Scale production pieces. How very cool was that to make it seem as if the crew automatically closed the lift-bar assembly when coupling the 701 yard goat to its full consist! Please keep these wonderful videos coming.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks, glad that you appreciated that. It was a bit tricky to get it right. I always welcome your comments.

[@goldenmanuever1176]

The epitome of model railroading. Period. I have a superb set of 2900 series freight cars and they rival some stuff made today.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments. Agreed, the Lionel scale and semi-scale cars plus Hudsons and switchers that pulled them are some of the finest O gauge trains ever made. Too bad that WWII stopped production, so the full potential of the series was never realized.

[@goldenmanuever1176]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator Your music selection cracks me up a little sounds like some backwoods amped up banjo mixed with jazz lol wtf dude haha

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

@@goldenmanuever1176 I guess that my taste has always been "outside the box".

[@goldenmanuever1176]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator works for me!

[@thomaseiden1197]

Absolutely beautiful. You have captured the essence of my youth

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Glad that you enjoyed it, please subscribe to my channel to see more to come.

[@willamettevalleyAFtrains]

My two favorite Lionel locomotives. Nice to see the scale freight cars with them. Thanks for showing them.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

I had to get around to running the scale trains, because the T-Rail demanded it. Surprised how well these 80-year old trains ran and that the fragile scale couplers held, not a single mis-hap.

[@samjohnson3431]

THE BEST train video, it made me cry.. Love it.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Not many collectors would dare to operate Lionel's 700E and 701 locos, with Railchief cars and scale freights. I hope that is what brought you to tears. After all, they were made to run, and having this equipment and a T-rail layout, I had no choice but to run them.

[@troystaten5633]

Some great trains, thanks for showing us.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.

[@timnewman1172]

The fact they made these 80+ years ago, and only in the past couple decades have they made anything that rivals them is a testament to their enduring quality...

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

No argument about their quality, but Lionel did have its ups and downs between then and now. Thanks for watching.

[@henryszubielski8601]

Very nice equipment!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks, the Lionel scale series is the equipment that T-Rail was made for.

[@glennweaver3014]

Great trains and great music. Thank you James.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments, glad that you enjoyed it.

[@philipmorris6551]

Jim, First let me say that your videography just keeps getting better and more professional. What a wonderful well produced documentary on Lionel's primo full scale trains. Loved the chronological review of full-scale production offerings and then to see them effortlessly glide down the t-rail track; what a thrill! Watching the full Baker Valve Gear in operation was a treat. Also appreciated your 701 yard goat preforming its coupling operation. I see your slide-guitar skills are also improving! Please keep these productions coming.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Phil, thanks for your comments. You are a well-known expert on Lionel's scale trains, so your praise is much appreciated. I wish I could take credit for the guitar work, that will still require some practice.

[@thomaseiden1197]

Small world, we are from the Chicago area also (Libertyville and Deerfield). When we lived there I had a small outdoor railroad in large scale and I 2001 I got re-interested in O scale. I also happen to be married to the greatest woman in the world. She likes it, inspires me in a very creative way and brings all her friends over to see them. I’m very fortunate. By the way she thinks your video of the 700E and the B6 is great.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks again for your comments. I had to do the scale video because those trains were the reason for T-Rail track. Many or the scale items I have had a long time and thought it a shame that I never ran them. Surprisingly, the locos ran fine, the scale flanges stayed on the track and the couplers held-together.

[@johnfroio2161]

Amazing old trains! The t rail track looks terrific!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments, it was a lot of work, but worth it to be able to share something that most collectors have never seen.....operating scale equipment on T-rail.

[@orca7131957]

Love that video full scale is awesome!! Great job Jim and Deb!!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Hey Larry, thanks for watching. Hope you ride the LSRR often.

[@thomaseiden1197]

Beautiful setting. Been there many times. We now live on Lake of the Ozarks

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

We enjoy it.

[@wyliestivers2634]

Fantastic job original insert the layout Jim!! I hope that we can schedule a "delivery" down your way soon, it's been a couple years now since the last time we visited. Great music too!!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching.

[@NixCrossing]

Very cool! Love all the trains you ran in the video

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments, stay tuned for more to come.

[@rgary84]

Lovely old trains on lovely old tack !

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments, this one was a challenge.

[@c50truck]

Awesome! It was enjoyable watching those trains, I've only seen in photos, running. They looked right at home on that T-rail track. I hope you don't mind me saying, but I enjoy your video presentations for another reason. The camera angles, and lighting. Especially the back lighting of the Bilt-EZ and Tin Town Hi-rise buildings. I've tried, but yet too find lighting that works. Looking forward to your next. Rod

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks Rod, for your comments. This one has been in the planning for a while. Most of the trains featured, I have never attempted to run. A Z transformer was a must, as a ZW does not have enough voltage for the Railchief set. Lighting the Bilt-EZ was a challenge. I attached a string of LED lights to pieces of clear plexiglass, that I stood up behind the buildings.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Nice! Very special trains you got there!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments. Lionel's scale series trains were only made for a few years before WWI and surpassed any other manufacturer.

[@hmsjr0154]

Mr Flynn Excellent video. Is there any chance of seeing a video tour of your layout? I’m asking in case I might have missed a previous episode on your channel. Regards

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Most areas can be seen in various videos. You can see the complete list by subscribing to my channel. The layout is still less than a year old, so some areas are still a work-in-progress, some are flex areas that I change for the specific video that I am working on. I try to show a tour of different parts in each video, but the camera picks-up such a wide view, it is difficult to do this in one sweep around. I will try to show more pans of the layout in the future. Thank you for your comments, and please subscribe so you do not miss anything.

[@tyfude]

Say, where do you find those modular tin skyscraper buildings. They are so awesome. Thanks!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

The modular tin buildings are 1920's vintage by Bilt EZ and also remade by Marx Trains in 2000 under the Tin-Town name.

[@tyfude]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator thanks for the tip! They are so cool.

[@maxwellwalcher1441]

I love Hudson's are they J3as.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching. The prewar Lionel Hudsons are J1e's.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator oh yeah make sure you get the J3a Hudsons.

[@TrainBandit]

Great video. Just subscribed try to get you up to that 1k subscriber point.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching and for subscribing, I think I am close to 1K.

[@dylanbadolato4805]

If you don’t mind me asking, how were the buildings made at 2:57?

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

The high rise buildings are from Built EZ kits, made 1920's and 30's, duplicated in the early 2000's by Marx Trains as Tin-Town kits. They are 2x2 metal litho panels that assemble into cubes.

[@brianturner8477]

Better late than never. Didn’t see this one in 2021. It’s amazing how small the variety of scale things from Lionel was. If the war had not happened, I wonder if they would have produced a broader array of things?

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

I wonder that too. It would have been nice to see scale versions of the Manhattan cars, more freights and track sections that would operate signals. They did make a very limited quantity of straights with an insulated outside rail. Even without the war, economics probably would have terminated scale production by 1950 or so. Thanks for watching my most-popular video.

[@thomaseiden1197]

James, where is the Lake Shore Railway located. The area looks beautiful

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

LSRR is on Ky Lake.

[@thomaseiden1197]

James my channel is the Illinois and Osage RR. If you get a chance take a look. Thanks

[@masonallenbuskirk5648]

I like 👍 the nostalgic "tinplate feel" of the old T-rail track. Too bad they didn’t make the same for Std. gauge, did they? It’s the only 'toy train' track that assembles like real railroad track with fishplates and bolts and all, right? That’s pretty nifty, if laborious, I think.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching. Lionel's scale series and T-Rail track was Lionel's attempt to convince serious adult modelers and operators that Lionel was not just "toy trains". Lionel T-Rail was introduced in 1935 and was available until the start of WWII. Yes it was the only scale type 3-rail track that assembled with fishplates and nuts/bolts. You are right that it is labor-intensive to assemble. T-rail straights, curves and switches were made, but the line was never expanded. Standard Gauge was last cataloged by Lionel in 1939, so it never developed beyond its Tinplate roots and upgrading track to T-Rail was never considered.

[@BAKU2K2]

Hornby also made T-rail track for their 6201 Princess Elizabeth set from 1937. I believe Märklin also made T-rail back in the day.

[@Novaline.mp3]

how did you obtain all of these? I'm very curious because they're all in beautiful condition. Especially the kits for the freight cars, how did you find ones that weren't put together or painted?

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

I have been a collector for most of my adult life, belonged to all the main train clubs, travelled to shows and conventions all over the country. All I can say is that a collection takes time and patience. Thanks for watching and for your comments.

[@azslotracer]

Are the scale freight cars using scale couplers? I have the email chief cars but cannot use them because I am missing the coupler for the front passenger car to the tender.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Yes my 700-series freights all have scale couplers, most are mounted to the truck. The Rail Chief cars take a special scale coupler with an off-set that brings it to the right height for the 700T tender. Thanks for watching.

[@azslotracer]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator thank you.

[@michaelabalos595]

Looking good! Let your imagination fly!!!

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments, keep watching for more to come.

[@TrainBandit]

So i was researching the Lionel 700e and came across the 700t, what is that?

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

700T is the number for the tender.

[@TrainBandit]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator oh ok, thanks!

[@fafafooey8776]

BRIGHTO....makes old bodies new.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Yes we try to incorporate all of our favorite things. Thanks for watching and for your comments.

[@ronalddevine9587]

The epitome of 0 gauge trains. Never seen them running on the T rail track. They seem to be very happy on it.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Yes happy because T-Rail is the track that Lionel Scale-Series was made for. Thanks for watching.

[@robertthomas2001]

back in time when t-rail was available, the hobby of collecting was in it's infancy..today is all about the hobby and not about one week during Christmas..which opens up the question of a re-issuance of t-rail for the collector..i would love a chance to labor with tiny tools and fish plates and connectors opposed to tubular..leave it to the Chinese to duplicate the original.. i believe there would be a market, a rather large one at that

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

I think that you, I and perhaps a few others are unique in our appreciation of the labor involved in assembling T-Rail. The current generation of younger collectors, uses the Lionel and MTH systems that have plastic roadbed and non-ferrous rails. This modern track does not support magne-traction, but does support all the realistic signal systems. Unfortunately WWII ended T-Rail production before it could evolve to include operating tracks and clips to operate 154, 153 and 151 signals, also no uncoupling track was ever developed, or transitions to mate with a 313 bascule bridge. Late T-Rail production included a #772S insulated straight track, but it is extremely scarce today. The cost to re-tool for T-Rail track, switches, connecting hardware and the necessary upgrades to support signals and accessories, might make it as expensive as the current market for the real vintage stuff. About a year ago, I did several videos on T-Rail and its installation. Thanks for watching.

[@angeloavanti2538]

no words.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Hope you enjoyed it. Our motto at the LSRR is that all toy trains were made to run.

[@rickferguson943]

Forget the music

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching.

[@ToothlessThedragon9]

Canada Geese honking and flying i have a pet canada goose that sleeps on my couch and he lays down on my lap and sleeps his name Douglas

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching, I like to include nature sound with my videos. Please subscribe and watch my other videos.

[@thomaseiden1197]

I just did

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for your comments.

[@thecurtray]

thanks for letting a sore loser see some great trains.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Thanks for watching.

[@thecurtray]

@@JFLionelT-RailOperator I-enjoy-little-more-than-Lionel-trains-albiet-no-space-for-permanent.---You-win-----recently-relocated-them-at-4-box-trucks-full---oh-my-what-have-i-done

[@oglemansviews675]

Soundtrack sounds like bottleneck on a Dobro. Is it? Like the Hudson. Can't believe someone would have the patience to put that kit together. Not me, no skill there.

[@JFLionelT-RailOperator]

Some of the music is slide-guitar. The kit Hudsons were assembled long ago. Thanks for your comments.