Lionel O-27 engine recommendation

[thankey]

Can anyone recommend a good running post war Lionel O-27 engine for switching on a small layout? I was thinking of an 0-4-0 with slope back tender or maybe a small yard or road switching diesel. I don’t want a new engine. Thanks for you help.

[dwiemer]

Many of the postwar switchers are good. You probably want one with magnatraction. I have the JC 621 switcher that I picked up for about $40.00. It is a good one.
Dennis

[msacco]

Have the 623 Santa Fe. One of the early series of NW2 diesel switches with the diecast base and wire handrails.
These early switchers run beautifully and are a pleasure to operate. I highly recommend them. They are more expensive than the later NW2 with stamped metal bases and handrails but really well worth it. I got mine in exellent minus condition for about $160

Mike Sacco

[Frank53]

621 Jersey Central

[Anonymous]

Well, I know you said you don't want a newer engine, but my recommendation still would be for the recent Lionel dockside. A compact locomotive that is better detailed than any of the postwar items of similar ilk and which operates smoothly and quietly. Ideal for a small layout (which is what I have).

[msacco]

Allan,
Although my docksider is still out of commission, it is a poor runner of 022 switches and especially over the newer 022s. It stalls and does some serious bumping and grinding. Now the poster did say 027 so maybe someone can chime in on 027 switches.

Stick with Postwar of course!

Mike Sacco

[Anonymous]

how about the lionel 41 style postwar switcher.it works great for a small layout.these are great little diesels and fun to run....tony

[Anonymous]

My Docksides are operating on Atlas track and switches, so I really can't comment one way or another on how they perform (or don't) on the Lionel O22s. It would be a shame if they don't do well on those switches because they are fine little locomotives (I have three of them).

I was also going to suggest one of the small postwar switchers, as Tony did. The 41 Army, 51 Navy, and similar units won't pull much, but they are fun to operate. And, of couse, you can hardly go wrong with NW and SW series switchers, which were probably the most popular switching locomotives in the postwar period. My personal preference in that regard is for the current switchers made by Williams because of their superior graphics and running qualities, but any of the postwar models are also very good. I had the C&O version, but sold it some years ago in favor of the Williams models.

[3railguy]

In my experience, all of the postwar NW switchers with diecast base such as the 623 ATSF that Mike recomends or 624 C&O, 6250 Seaboard, and 622 ATSF bell ringer are excellent choices for actual switching. This is because they are smooth running, heavy, have magnetraction, and have great slow speed operation. The coil couplers on them work well when lubed with graphite and have proven to spot and pick up cars most reliably. As others say, a decent one can be had for around $150 and they are worth it because they are practically indestructable.

The later NW switchers with stamped bases are not as good. The tumbtack couplers do not work as well as the earlier diecast model's coil couplers. They are not as smooth running either and the slow speed operation is rather poor in comparison.

The postwar 1656 0-4-0 front coupler overhangs quite a bit and has derailed cars on curves. The bell ringing diecast tender is heavy enough it backs cars into spurs without derailing. The later 0-4-0 has a plastic tender that is so light it easily derails when backing cars into spurs.

[msacco]

3railguy,
I will agree on the slow speed operation. It's really excellent for a postwar model.
Also can pull quite a lot.
I believe that the drive train is also different on these early models with a better system employed along with a better motor.

Mike S.

[lionelsoni]

I have a 623-624 pair more or less permanently coupled. I rewired the motors in series and installed a circuit I use that lets me uncouple whereever I want without using an uncoupling track. I had long ago ground the drawbar slots out to get more side-to-side swing of the couplers; but I finally got so tired of the derailments that I sawed about 1/4 inch off the stairs at the end of the 623. Unless you are willing to go this far, you might find these switchers frustrating for O27.

[purduepete1]

I  have a 624 C&O NW2 that has served me well since the early '50s and also bought several years ago via ebay an excellent 1615 with slopeback tender that I've fallen in love with.

[Back2Trains]

Either the early style diesel switchers with diecast frames or a 1615 steam switcher with slopeback tender. The 1615 is a good puller with operating couplers on the front of the engine and on the tender, although you may need to run a ground wire from the engine to the tender to be sure of good performance through switches. I put a coil coupler on my tender and a whistle relay inside so I can uncouple anywhere on the layout by using the whistle control. The relay has to be mounted on its side in a slopeback because there is not enough height so you will need a llight spring to hold the relay in the open position. 

[Frank53]

just testing

 

[PLMatthews88]

I have a 623 switcher that derails when going through my 5122 O27 switch curve, but only in one direction.  Any clue why this happens?  Any remedies?