Switches: 027 vs 031 & Lionel vs K-Line? What to buy for long term?

[aeonx33]

I'll start with my questions:

• Long-term, does it make more sense to buy/utilize 031 & 042 switches / turnouts over the 027 switches?

• I know the biggest point on this is engine and train size, but I dont plan on buying scale engines but I didnt know if there were some "Toy" diesels or other considerations I needed to worry about when it comes to switches. (e.g.: I know the 027 switches often have clearance issues with some of the bigger diesels even in the "Toy" range.

• What are the switches to get? Save money and go with the 6-5121/2 models? 1122(e)'s? The K-Line 027's look nice, and have lights... but... I dont know much about them?
• How concerned should I be with switches with lights on the switch / track?

• I know preference is huge here, but I feel like having lights on the switch itself and the track portion would keep everything nice and straight, especially with little kids operating things. ("Is the switch green or red?") 

Here is a little more info for clarity and to help answer these questions:

I am just getting back into my trains for my kids sake. (That's my story and I am sticking to it.) Built a 4x8 table and wanted to do a layout, which wont be permanent but will be a starting point. So I needed to invest in some switches.

I am not 100% sure what kind of layout I really want to build so I am going to start with the layout on the back of some track packages which require 7 switches (or 5 - I know I can take out the 2 in the lower left if I wanted to). I feel like for my 4x8 area this allows me to set up quite a bit of "stuff", gives me options to grow, add, include trestles eventually, and utilize some of the stuff I already have and make a neat little layout. (I am OPEN to other/better 4x8 options):

For switches, I have 2 right now - 1 Manual and 1 Remote in the 6-5021/2 & 6-5121/2 models. These are the brown more modern ones. I love the look of the 1122(E)'s and know those are the gold standard for 027 switches, but on Ebay the best prices I am seeing for decent looking ones are around $40 + 10/15 ship. = $50/55 a pair. (Not sure if I can find better prices?) 

I dont mind investing in these if they ultimately are what makes the most sense, but before I go spend $100-150 on switches, I want to make sure that I am getting the best thing for the long term. In other words: if I decide next year that I really should have gone 031 & up, having 7 - 027 switches makes little sense?

Would love any and all insight!

 

[ADCX Rob]

It sounds like you have all O-27 track now. The "O" switches are not P&P compatible with O-27 tracks without modification - they have different geometry(straight & curve measurements) and are taller - you would have to bring your O-27 tracks up to the level of the "O" switches.

K-Line O-27 remote switches(available in 27" and 42") are like the old 022 electrically with their anti-derail circuits cutting power to the coils after throwing.

Lionel O-27 switches are also available in 42" versions as #65167 & #65168. O-27 track is available from Lionel, Marx, & K-Line in 27", 34", 42", 54" & 72" diameter curve sections for quite a bit of flexibility.

You should choose a track system 1st, and work from there.

1122/1122E/5121/5122 and 1121 switches can be had for 9-10 dollars with controllers as seen here.

[servoguy]

I started with O-27 track with my first train in 1950.  I grew to hate it as the switches didn't work very well.  The 1122s work reasonably well but are not compatible with some post war locos.  I now have about 150 022 switches, most of which have been restored and work perfectly (022/711 switch operating pblms).  Search for the thread with Google.  After the restoration discussed in the thread, my 022 & 711 switches are perfect in their operation.  Are they better than Ross switches?  I don't have any Ross switches so I don't know.  022 switches are inexpensive.  I paid less than $10 for most of the ones I have.  O-31 track is more rugged than O-27 track which, for me, is an advantage as I make my layouts on the floor.  Most of the O-31 track I have was purchased for $1 or less.  I have about 150 pieces of O-72 Lionel track and 100+ pieces of prewar American Flyer O-40 track.  I also have a number of prewar AF switches which are compatible with the O-40 track.  I like O-40 track as it is a good compromise between O-31 and O-72.  I like O-72 but it does take a lot of space.  You can buy Lionel O-42 and O-54 track.  

[tinplatacis]

I try to use Marx and 1024 switches; I plan to add a set of 022's this year though.

[Texas Pete]

I have O22, and 5132/33 switches (O-31 type) bought used off e-bay.  They all work well, although a few required some coaxing.  Can't get much more long term than that.

Pete

[BigAl 956]

servoguy

I started with O-27 track with my first train in 1950.  I grew to hate it

Couldn't of said it better. If you make the decision to gradually retire your O27 and replace with standard O you will be better off in the long run.

Your trains will run better and the switches more reliable and servicable. I replaced my O27 with O over a 2 year period and couldn't be more satisfied with the way my layout operates.

[ADCX Rob]

BigAl 956

 

 

servoguy

I started with O-27 track with my first train in 1950.  I grew to hate it

 

 

Couldn't of said it better. If you make the decision to gradually retire your O27 and replace with standard O you will be better off in the long run.

Your trains will run better and the switches more reliable and servicable. I replaced my O27 with O over a 2 year period and couldn't be more satisfied with the way my layout operates.

I have lots of "O" in 31", 40", 42", 54", 72", & 120", including 022(31") K-Line 42" & 711(72") switches, but I tend to use O-27 for my layouts and have no problems with it... these are all O-27:

[tinplatacis]

ADCX Rob

 

 

BigAl 956

 

 

servoguy

I started with O-27 track with my first train in 1950.  I grew to hate it

 

 

Couldn't of said it better. If you make the decision to gradually retire your O27 and replace with standard O you will be better off in the long run.

Your trains will run better and the switches more reliable and servicable. I replaced my O27 with O over a 2 year period and couldn't be more satisfied with the way my layout operates.

 

 

I have lots of "O" in 31", 40", 42", 54", 72", & 120", including 022(31") K-Line 42" & 711(72") switches, but I tend to use O-27 for my layouts and have no problems with it... these are all O-27:

 

How in the world did you get away with that?!?

[ADCX Rob]

tinplatacis

How in the world did you get away with that?!?

If you mean the real estate, well... it was negotiated, and re-negotiated, lines were drawn... and the result is that I am not allowed to go through walls with tunnel portals as originally planned/proposed. And, I have to clean the carpeting. I have wiring running along the ceiling in the basement that stays in place year round, I just pull it up through holes in the floor for power drops and switch power in the other rooms and around the layout when it comes time to rebuild each year.

[servoguy]

Rob, It is clear that the track you are using is not standard O-27 but larger in diameter which is why it works so well.  

[tinplatacis]

It looks to me like 042. Is that correct? I use that diameter for my larger engines, like the Harry Potter 4-6-0 and my great uncles 2243 F3 combo. They can take 027, but look better on 042. I mainly use 027 for ?-4-? Steamers and diesel switchers, with shorter tinplate cars.

[ADCX Rob]

servoguy

... It is clear that the track you are using is not standard O-27 but larger in diameter...

27", 42", 54", & 72". 1121 & K-Line switches(no 1122/1122E).

There just isn't that much of a difference between 27" O-27(12.37" radius) & 31" O-31"(14.14" radius) operationally except for the switch architecture, and for that there are many options(physically & electrically). There's no reson to just automatically dismiss O-27 as a track system.