Whats the difference betweem 027 and O

[Anonymous]

Hey guys . Can u guys tell me the diference between 027, O ?

[spankybird]

here is a thread that will help

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26522

[ben10ben]

With O, the ties and rails are a heavier gauge metal and larger than with O27. The standard curves are larger(27" in diameter compared to 31"). Finally, the straights are longer.

Lionel O switches are generally much better constructed than Lionel O27 switches as well.

[Anonymous]

O27 track has a lower profile than O gauge track and looks better. It's also a lot cheaper and can be easily found on eBay. O27 trains are generally smaller than O gauge, just a little larger than S gauge. Williams and K-Line generally have the largest selection of O27.

[thor CNJ]

Let's cap this for once and for all:

In the 1920s, only the gauge of track was standardized. Curve diameter was anybody's guess. Lionel used a 31" curve, and Ives used a 27" curve. American Flyer used a 40" curve. Lionel opted to use the smalle,r cheaper 27" track for its cheaper sets. Marx used it exc lusively, but then, all Marx sets were relatively cheap. Cheaper trains tended to be smaller.

In 1938, AC Gilbert had the idea of making a 1/64 train to run o nO track, thius making a mass-proiduced scale for O. Marx adopted the ideafor its scale line of O27 trains.

After the war, Marx continued to use O27 both for toy sets and its scale line. Lionel made a cheaper line of train that were close to 1/64, and sold them as O27. They came with 27" curve track. Most of the rolling stock was smaller than O, and you'd be surprised at how much had a height and length at 1/64, but a width at 1/60 (Lionel widened their cars for better appearance - Marx did not). This is not to saythat all O27 was1/64, but a loi was..

The whole thign was really a gimmick for Lionel to enter the cheap train market. O27 was its buudghet line,. Ironically, the diofference betweeen O and O27 in come Lionel products was nothing more than a model number. For example, the S2 turbine for O and O27 is exactly the same size. Compare a 671 with a 2020. The differences are small things internally.

Today, O27 means trans made to handle a 27" curve. Many O Gauge cars can handle this, too. Most of all, it is marketing a cheaper line of trains.

[palallin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by thor CNJ

Lionel opted to use the smalle,r cheaper 27" track for its cheaper sets. Marx used it exc lusively, but then, all Marx sets were relatively cheap.

One clarification: Marx also made a really neat 034 track with 027 rail profile (height). It will make a loop outside 027 and inside 042, and it will handle the larger rolling stock pretty well. With a little care, even engines made for 042 will negotiate 034.

[FJ and G]

paradoxically, 027 track is more scale than O but the 027 trains are semi-scale.

Go figure!

[thor CNJ]

The O34 track is nice, if you can get some in good shape. You get a little more clearance than with 31", which is good if you are running concentric loops at a show.