What trains do you use with your putz?

Post by **paulrace** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:58 pm

In the old photos, you see folks running whatever trains were available, but today we have more choices. If you set up trains with your putz, what kind do you use?

Post by **Howard** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:32 am

My little village of “Pine Mountain Valley” has seen different rail service over the years. I’ve attached a few pictures of various layouts. The village and the track never stays the same. That's what makes it fun. And by the way, it’s OK to mix sizes and types of trains, just like we do with our houses.

In no particular order, I have run the following:

Bachmann HO street car and trolley plus Thomas the Tank with two passenger cars. (I can’t find my pictures of these right now).

Department 56 On30 size “automatic reverse” street car and a “Village Express” passenger train.

Vintage Marx “tinplate” trains plus Lionel which run on O-27 three rail track. (I can’t locate my Lionel pictures either at this moment).

I hesitate to pick my favorite. You’ll have to make up your own mind. To help you, Paul has done a detailed, in-depth analysis of all your options. You’ll find direct links at the bottom of this forum page. Go to the Big Christmas Trains Main Page first.

My very best regards to all,

Howard

Post by **paulrace** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:57 am

GREAT photos, Howard! They all look good. I forgot how charming your Marx set was with these until just now.

Post by **Howard** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 7:46 pm

I finally found the picture of the Bachmann HO trolley and street car from several years ago. No luck with finding Thomas the Tank with the two passenger cars or the Lionel trains.

My very best regards...

Howard

Post by **paulrace** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:17 pm

Very nice, though I have to say the Marx are still my favorite, followed by the Bachmann-Built On30 stuff, I think.

Post by **Howard** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:57 am

paulrace wrote:Very nice, though I have to say the Marx are still my favorite, followed by the Bachmann-Built On30 stuff, I think.

If i hadn't already collected a lot of old Marx tinplate trains, I would probably be looking at new Lionel. The Lionel catalogs are fantastic. I must confess that On30 does have a lot to offer. In my particular case, I'm glad i don't have to choose.

my very best regards...

Howard

Post by **maria** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:31 am

I finally got myself a real train set, well as real as I would ever get; normally I have a vintage battery operated train that has made me relatively happy. But last year after Christmas, at 75% off, there was this HO guage 40th Anniversary Shoprite CanCan train set. I'll post a picture later. I am taking everything out of the box this week to see if a) it all works and b) I want to mount the track permanently.

Post by **maria** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 8:31 am

As promised, a pix:

Post by **paulrace** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:19 pm

Maria, you've taken your first step into a whole new world.

Post by **maria** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:35 am

If I get one or two seasons off of it, I'll be happy - for what I paid, after Christmas, I could not resist. Last night I put the track together--had to go with a circle not an oval--for various reasons. Now I am spending an inordinate amount of time examining the other parts--the transformer, connections, etc. I want to mount it permanently since building my village takes several days and I like to build it around the trains and other moving things in my display. Also have to see if it actually works. My guy says that I won't be able to use all the cars if I put it in a "circle". That's okay with me--though I have to tell you, I will miss my little battery operated one, if only for a little while!