Lionel Postwar Steam and O-27

[Anonymous]

The cover article in the latest issue of CTT stated that the 746 was offered in an O-27 set in 1960. It was my understanding that Postwar steam locomotives with eight drive wheels such as the 746 or the 736 Berkshire could not run on O-27 track, or through O-27 switches. Is this true, or was I mistaken?[?]

[lionelsoni]

The 6-8-6 PRR S2s were made in O and O27 versions which differ only in the model number, as has been discussed recently.

[3railguy]

I own a 746. It takes 027 curves and clears 027 switch machines. There are only two known variations: One with a short stripe tender and one with a long stripe tender. The long stripe being most desireable. Otherwise they are identical. Because it runs on 027 track, a set with 027 track doesn't surprise me.

[Anonymous]

The biggest 027 loco I'm familiar with is the 2046/2056 which was identical to the 646. These engines were 4-6-4s. The 746 didn't even come out until '55 or so.

[3railguy]

According to Greenburg, the 746 was ran from 1957 to 1960. They list that it came in Cataloged super O sets. Still, it does not surprise me if an uncataloged 027 set was offered. the 746 is a grand postwar engine. Beautiful to look at, great puller, and smokes like crazy. Ya just gotta love it.

[brianel027]

Back in the "good ol' postwar days" the 027 designation was more based towards economic reasons than size or scale, although even then there were some locos that didn't make the 027 curves.

Today the designations is more based on "scale" and the negative implication that "027" means "toy train" and not scale model... though by necessity of engineering an engine to make that tight curve, there is some degree of truth to it.

But take a look at Lionel catalogs from a few years ago pre-FasTrack. There are engines that come in sets with 027 track. The same locomotive type will then be a seaparate sale item but listed as "Minimum curve 031." This includes GP-7's, 9's, 20's 38's, F-3's, FT's: all these locos will negotiate the 027 curves, yet all have been listed with 031 minimum curves at one time or another.

I suppose there's still some economics at play here: they'd like the consumer to spend more money on track that costs more. And then there's the contemporary somewhat negative stigma that the 027 designation has. ie: "I don't want to buy that. It runs on 027 track therefore it must be a toy."

[3railguy]

If you study the MTH catalog closely, you will find a few 100% identical cars in the Railking and Premier series with different schemes and a $5.00 price difference. Two cars come to mind, a steel caboose and woodside reefer.

[Anonymous]

Sort of a shame that 027 is associated with "toy". The
rail profile and height is much more closer to "scale"
than the traditional 031 track which gets its rail profile
and height from Standard Gauge track. Check it out
sometime. Compare a section of Standard and a section
of 031. If you were to lay 027 track directly to the table
surface and build the ballast around the track it would
be just about "scale" (except for the third rail). Nice curves
can be had using 40" and 54" 027 track and switches.

For 031 rail to be "scale" the real-life rail would have to
be almost 2 1/2 feet tall! (Using 1/4 inch = 1 foot)

(edited for typos)

[3railguy]

The latest Lionel catalog shows a variety of "traditional" 027 steamers and diesels. An RS-3, GP-38, U36B, 0-6-0 dockside, K4 pacific, and berkshire.. The 0-6-0 has recieved high marks and is selling very well. It is a close to scale model and well detailed. It is a lot of engine for the money. Some of the larger scale diesels designated 031 will take 027 curves but the fuel tanks will interfere with switch machines. I agree that the selection of 027 diesels is limited compared to larger scale models. I'm sure it has to do with lower demand.