Free Downloads The Big Book Of Lionel: The Complete Guide To Owning And Running America's Favorite Toy Trains, Second Edition
Lionel products are today more technologically advanced than ever, thanks to such innovations as FasTrack and the Legacy control system. Author and hobby veteran Bob Schleicher updates his classic one-stop, hands-on treasury of practical advice for Lionel enthusiasts to include products such as FasTrack and Legacy, which were unavailable at the time of its original publication in 2004. This volume also features an overview of Lionel product development, more than 30 track plans for the floor and tabletop, advice on building scenery and structures, wiring and track how-to, help in choosing steam or diesel locomotives and freight or passenger operations, maintenance and restoration tips techniques, and instructions for operations that best emulate those of prototype railroads.
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Voyageur Press; Second edition (March 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0760340269
ISBN-13: 978-0760340264
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.6 x 10.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #129,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #15 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Toys & Models > Model Trains #43 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Transportation > Railroads
The author has written several books on Lionel (and other hobbies) and while they are NOT comprehensive, detailed books, they do a good job introducing you to the hobby and the things you can achieve with Lionel Trains. Even the advanced modeler can pick up something here and there. Overall, a good purchase.*Just a 'heads-up' to anyone looking to purchase this book, but Barnes and Noble bookstores has a hardcover version at $9.95! While I bought my copy at last year, when it first came out, at the higher price, I also bought a hardcover copy from B&N for durability and ease of use. Just saying.
This updated book is an excellent guide for guys like me who, after 30 years, unpacked their 1950s Lionel set and got hooked on making the layout they always wanted as a kid but couldn't afford. Lots of insider tips that my local train hobby store owner doesn't have time to answer. Inspirational pictures of very creative dioramas --- my kids like that!
For someone who wants a general introduction to Lionel products and the thought process that goes into making your own custom layout, this is the book for you. This is in no way a step by step book. And you don't want it to be, because it would simply be too exhaustive to be practical. This steps you through the process. It takes you to a general working knowledge of all the Lionel components, and makes you ready to start researching the specifics. For instance, this book does a great job of explaining 0-72, and the fact that it will let you run all the trains in the catalog. It explains very well the fact that 0-72 is also difficult to achieve, because it is a 5 foot radius, and for those of us who don't have unlimited space, we may not be able to run the grandest and longest trains and cars in the catalog. It also does a great job, explaining wiring. It explains the various bench options in detail, but does not give step-by-step directions on how to build it. Bottom line: it doesn't give you a step by step, but it gives you working knowledge, and that is why this is why this book is indispensable.So what I am trying to say, is that this is a must read, but it will not be the last book that your purchase, either.
I read the reviews on this book after looking at some other resources that led me to the purchase of this book. I found that there was a lot of information regarding model trains but it did not lay much of the foundation needed to fully explain them. For example it did not define a "reverse cut off" or explain how it works. I felt very lost when it referred to these in the text and pictures.I bought this book because many of the reviews said how they enjoyed the track layouts. I used computer software to recreate these layouts and found myself guessing as to which pieces of tracks were used because the layout designs didn't offer enough information or mislabeled track sections. I used two different computer programs to try these out.I think with help from other experience model train enthusiasts I would have learned more from the book but since I don't in my immediate area I felt completely lost as a beginner.
I ordered this because I've always been interested in Lionel O gauge trains since the early 60's. Recently I've experienced a resurgence of interest in this minature marvels. I still have the O gauge sets I had when I first started and I'm contemplating the eventually building of an O gauge layout. Consequently I wanted to start reading up on refurbishing and restoring some of my old locomotives and other rolling stock and I thought this book would be a good place to start. I breezed through most of its pages pretty quickly and learned that it covers a broad range of topics that I need to know about all the vintage stuff I have as well as the modern and current Lionel trains and accessories. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the vibrant color photos that fill the pages of this nice book. It is easy to read and follow. I suspect once I get more fully back into this longstanding hobby, I will refer again and again to this book.
This books seems to have had great ambitions, but I didn't find it particularly well-written for either someone new to Lionel (e.g., it starts using terminology without explaining it clearly) or someone with prior Lionel experience (e.g., its material is too basic). It is largely composed of pictures from a couple of layouts which don't always seem to augment the accompanying text. On a positive note, it does cover some of Lionel's product areas (such as S gauge) that are often left out of other books.
good for the general starter class of train people. but not to much for the adavced trains person. who needs to know more then just basic. but a good starter book. was hoping to find a book on how to wire every conceiveable thing to trains master.cab one and two. but just got the basics. We all know now how it works. but a lot of different wiring diagrams for different accesories for the train master would be most helpful. what can be done and what cant' what you need and how to wire it to make it work in command and traditional. thank you Mr Witkowski
Provides an overview if you are thinking about O Guage railroading. This is the book you need to start your quest. I found it lacking in the electrical area. Might be expecing too much in an overview BUT if you do not understand electrical completely you should, as you develop the book, seek the aid of someone who you trust to help you write the chapter. It is the only real short coming I see in the book.
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