i have an old train set that was my father in laws .it was brougt in the late 50s or early 60s . it runs great but i would like to buy more track for it ,but cant match it up to anything yet first theres three rails . the middle rail seems to be a power (there is a cooper piece on the bottom of the loco that rides on the center rail)the straight rail are about 9 inches long the two outer rails are 1 1/2 inch apart
dose anyone know what gauge this is ,and where can i buy track ,cars ect... thanks jefrut
Posted by foamer13 (Member # 2024) on :
It sounds like it could be a Marx set. Marx was a lower-priced alternative to Lionel. They made their own track, which was somewhat compatible with Lionel's 027 track, which was a more cheaply-made,lightweight O gauge. Marx used a long rectangular sliding shoe for its electrical pickup. Lionel used smaller hollow rollers, which tended to develop a groove around them with heavy use. Just a guess; all the Marx locomotives I ever saw were very plainly marked. Marx outfits were cheaply made with stamped metal cars and locomotive shells. Strangely (to me), they have become valuable collectibles.
------------------
Posted by Challenger (Member # 1298) on :
Given your description I beleve you have an "O-Gauge" "Tin Plate" set. These in essense are toy trains made to run on O scale track gauge tracks. Both Lionel and K-Line make the same type of track you describe, and can be picked up at almost any hobby store carrying those brands. If you would like more realistic looking track, Atlas makes three rail track to the same gauge, but annodizes the center rail black to make it less noticiable, and reailistic ties and track base.
James.
Posted by jefrut (Member # 2927) on :
foamer, thanks for the reply it only brings up more questions i ckecked all the cars and the box ,nowhere is it marked marx it has the center cooper piece inbetween the wheels as the pick up on the right side there are just the wheel on the left there is the drive gears on the wheels
i guess ill have to order some track and try it thanks again jefrut
Posted by vb (Member # 2262) on :
Don't order any track, just take a sample of the track to your nearest train hobby store and they will know what it is.