Are the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Lionel Trains the same size as N-Gauge model trains?
Every Christmas for a long time now, I have been getting my father the Hallmark Keepsake Lionel Train ornaments. He loves trains and especially these ornaments. I was wondering if these ornaments were the same size as the N-Gauge model trains because I want to see if I can put these trains on N-Gauge track. If I could do this, I want to get my a track to put these trains. Any input would be great!
Actually, the Hallmark ornaments are not all constructed to the same gage. I happened to have some Hallmark ornaments, some N-scale track and a measuring caliper sitting on my computer desk, so I did some quick tests on several. My results:
Year 2006 ornaments - The "Veranda Stockcar" has wheels set at 8mm gage and were close enough to actually roll along N gage tracks (9mm). The "Veranda Turbine" and "Veranda Tender" have wheels set at 6mm gage and would not roll on N gage track.
Year 2005 ornaments - "Pennsylvania B6 Steam" has 8mm gage wheels and will roll on N Gage track. The "Tender" and the "Boxcar" both have 10mm gage wheels and will not fit. The caboose has 9-mm gage and is close enough that the wheels could be slid inward a bit and allow the car to roll. I suspect that a skilled model enthusiast could fit normal N-gage wheels to these cars and make them roll pretty good, but this would diminish the collectors value.
Year 2001 ornaments - The "Chessie Steam" and "Chessie Tender" both have 8 mm gage wheels and will roll on N gage track. However, the Steam engine has no sideways swivel motion and will not go around curved track.
Year 1998 Ornament - "Pennsylvania GG-1" has 8mm gage wheels and will roll on N-gage track. However, it has no sideways swivel motion and will not go around curved track.
So, it looks like there is some variation in the wheel gage, and some but not all Hallmark Ornaments can roll on N Gage track. You might want to check each individual ornament before going out and buying any track.
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