How To Organize And Classify 3-Rail Trains - A Radical Proposal

A new way of classifying 3 rail trains, on this episode of Toy Train Tips and Tricks. For more than 50 years, toy train collectors and operators have described and classified their trains by the era in which they were manufactured, terms like pre-war, post-war, MPC, and modern era. Hello again, this is Mike with another episode of Toy Train Tips and Tricks, and while these terms may tell us something about the time period, they tell us little about the trains themselves. What if, instead, we followed the lead of zoology and other sciences and classified our trains by their characteristics instead? For example, think of a new hobbyist wondering why the Lionel Scout set he just bought isn't compatible with his other Lionel post-war trains. It's the same manufacturer and the same era, so why aren't they compatible? On the other hand, what if the traditional Lionel post-war trains carried one classification and the Scout set another? The hobbyist would then understand that the two items may not work together well. So, I propose a new system of classifying toy trains. A system that is easily understood and easily defined, and that will be applicable to most O-Gage 3 rail models regardless of era. Of course, there will always be a few examples that are difficult to define, but the system should work for most pieces. My idea is still in the formative stages, and I'm sure there's room for improvement, so be sure to add your feedback in the comment section. So, here we go. I propose to call the first designation the Pioneer Class. These items should meet at least three of the following criteria. First, they're not made to any particular scale or prototype. Second, they utilize unrealistic couplers such as Tab and Snot or Lionel's pre-war box couplers. Third, they're often proprietary, having couplers or some other feature that makes them incompatible in some way with most other brands and classes. And fourth, they operate on O31 and smaller curbs. As an example, let's look at a typical Lionel 1688E Torpedo set. While there was a real Pennsylvania Torpedo locomotive, one can hardly argue that the 1688E is a scale model. The wheel arrangement is even incorrect. And the cars that go with it are not only max scale, but one would be hard pressed to fight any prototype cars that match them. Second, they utilize Lionel's unrealistic box couplers, which also meets the third component in that they are incompatible with Lionel's later knuckle couplers and also most Tab and Snot designs. And the locomotives and cars are designed for O31 and smaller track. These items meet all four criteria, so it would fit into the Pioneer Class. But don't all pre-war trains fit into this class? Well, no. Lionel, for one, also made some finely detailed scale models in the pre-war era, such as the number 700E Hudson Steamer and a set of cars to go with it. While still pre-war trains, their features and operation are far different from that of the 1688E. Further, some post-war trains will fit into this category as well. Most of the Marks train line fits this category. They have unrealistic, non-compatible couplers. They operate on O31 and smaller track. Most have proprietary features, namely that fat wheel gearing on single reduction motors that makes them incompatible with Lionel and other lines. A few Marks items, like the 316-inch scale cars in the E7, are made somewhat to scale, just not O scale. But they still meet the other three criteria, placing them in that Pioneer Classification, even though they were manufactured as late as the 1970s. Likewise, the previously mentioned Lionel Scout sets, meaning the original 1948-52 sets, they fall into the Pioneer Class because of their unrealistic couplers, incompatibility with other trains, and their O27 operation. The next classification would be called the Classic Class. The first characteristic of this class is that the items are built to reasonably represent a particular prototype design. They may not be exactly to scale, but they give the general impression of overall dimensions of a real train. Second, they have Lionel-compatible knuckle couplers. Third, they are operationally compatible with other trains in this class. And finally, they operate on a minimum curb diameter of O27-O42. Items in this class should meet, again, at least three of these four criteria. Most of Lionel's offerings from 1945 to today fit into this category. From No. 64-64 boxcars to Lion Chief starter sets, most items meet at least three elements of this classification. Knuckle couplers, compatibility with other trains, and O27-O42 operation. And some meet all four criteria with scale or near-scale dimensions. In addition, most offerings from K-Line, Williams, Menards, MTH Real King, and even old Kusan K-Series trains all fit into this category as well. It is by far the largest class of trains, and I believe one of the reasons that the hobby has survived is this high degree of compatibility among manufacturers for over half a century. You can have confidence that a 2023 Menards FP7 will work with your 1952 Lionel 2500-series passenger cars. On the other hand, Lionel's DC-powered starter set locomotives of the 70s and 80s would NOT be in the Classic category. Their DC-only motors make them incompatible with Classic trains. This, coupled with their non-scale proportions and O27 operation, makes them instead Pioneer class locomotives. Likewise, Kusan's original battery-powered Beat diesels would fall into the Pioneer class, while the RMT reissues of the same models would be Classic as their motors were now compatible with other trains in this series. The last classification is the Modeler class. The first criteria of this class is that these trains are true scale models. Second, they may have Lionel-compatible couplers, or they may have a scale-sized knuckle coupler. Third, they have add-on details to improve the realism. And last, they operate on O42 and larger minimum curves. Among the trains of this class, you will find Lionel's Legacy series, MTH's Premier line, and older offerings from Weaver, Right-of-Way, and others. Lionel's pre-war No. 700E Hudson, and the scale cars that went with it, would also fit into this classification. These are also scale models, regardless of the era of their manufacturer. There are some scale models of smaller items which may still operate on O27 curves, but even so, models in this class should still meet the other three criteria. There's also a secondary metric to my classification system, and that is the control type. First, obviously, is conventional control. This classification includes all trains that were controlled using a standard transformer and no additional accessories. Nearly all Pioneer class trains, and most classic trains, would have this designation. Some modeler class trains also fit this category. On the opposite end is, of course, command control. These trains use an onboard microprocessor, or decoder, to control the various functions of the locomotive. The trains operate on a constant track voltage, and a separate transmitter, or encoder, is necessary to communicate with the decoder. This can sometimes be achieved with a mobile phone or tablet using Gloobtooth or Wi-Fi technology, but either way, the system requires the use of additional power accessories for the operation. All trains using Lionel's TMCC, Lion Chief Plus, or Legacy systems, as well as all MTH products using any version of the DCS system, fall into this category. Any models that use regular DCC systems would also fit into this category. In between is what I call the hybrid operation. Hybrid systems use constant track voltage power, either from a conventional transformer or a command control brick. But train functions are controlled either through a remote control device, with radio or infrared signals, or with a mobile phone or tablet with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. These trains lack the full functionality of true command control, but no additional power accessories are required beyond the remote control or mobile device. Trains in this class include Menard's new locomotives, as well as Lionel's Lion Chief offerings. Also, some modelers have created their own hybrid control systems using an Arduino or Raspberry Pi processor and Bluetooth control. Thus, we have three classes for the physical attributes, Pioneer, Classic, and Modeler, and three subclasses for control systems, Conventional, Hybrid, and Command. As examples, Lionel's new Legacy models would be classified as Modeler-Command. In the 1990s, however, Lionel made many reissues of post-war classics like the GP-7, but with TMCC. These models would then be classified as Classic-Command. Lionel's modern reissue of the Lionel Spirit of 76 U-36B, known as the Patriot, would be an example of Classic-Hybrid due to its Lion Chief control system. Likewise, the new Menard's FP-7 locomotives with remote control operation would also be classified as Classic-Hybrid. So, with three classes and three subclasses, we can now group our trains of any era and any manufacturer into similar groups, and following these classifications, we can know with a degree of certainty which items may or may not be compatible with one another. Leave comments on your thoughts. Does this system work? Should there be more classifications? Should they have different names? Or is this even a good idea? As I stated before, this is a work in progress, just the seed of an idea. In any case, I hope you enjoyed watching this video as much as I enjoyed making it, and if so, please give it a like, share it, subscribe, and tell your friends and neighbors. Then, keep the trains running, regardless of their class, and we'll catch you again on the next episode of Toy Train Tips and Tricks!