0-27 gauge track

[Anonymous]

Hello All, I just purchased a Lionel Frisco Freight Set for my son's fifth birthday that I got on sale from an old hardware store. I know nothing about train sets, but this one caught my eye and I knew I would've loved to have it if I were turning five so I got it. My question is: what type of track should I get to add more track to this set? I have seen 0-27 gauge track for sale that is insulated, and 0-27 gauge track for sale that is cheaper, so I'm assuming it's un-insulated. What is the difference and which one do I need? Can anyone please steer me in the right direction for purchasing more track for my son's set? Thanks, Matuchi

 

[dwiemer]

Hello and welcome.

     You don't need insulated track to run the trains, you only use insulated track for operating certain accessories.  Even then, most accessories can be operated by other means.  The insulated track would come in if you were going to use a "automatic stop station", or if you were going to do multi train operations.  From what I gather, you don't have a lot of other train items.  I would not make a large investment in 0-27 track, even though it is cheap.  If you are looking at expanding the trains in the future, check your options.  A lot of starter sets have Fastrack, or other types.  Just some  things to keep in mind. 

Dennis

[BlackJack]

I agree. 027 track is nice in that it is cheap, and switches for it are cheaper than other alternatives most of the time. Still, it is limited, because most locomotives need 031 track or "0" gauge track.

Look for lionel fastrack 036. It is designed for being put together and taken apart often and is great for being on carpet.

 

[dwiemer]

Though 0-27 track is capable of the 27inch curves, they now make wider turns for this track, but again, I would do a little research of what I plan to do with the trains/layout.  For me, I have a 4yo son and 2yo daughter, so Fastrack was the way for me to go, though it is expensive.

dennis

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm really looking for the best track that will work for the set. As it is now, it's very limited as it came with eight pieces of both straight and curved track, and we have to take it very slow or it jumps the track which is very frustrating. I wouldn't mind spending a little more money for track that is better and is something he would probably buy as he gets older. Do they make a set of Fastrack you can buy, or do you need to buy it one piece at a time? Also, is Fastrack compatible with his present 0-27 gauge track, or will that be history when I get him the Fastrack track? Thanks for putting up with a newbie..........

[spankybird]

Before you jump heads over heals to Fastrack, not only is is expensive, it is also very nosie. You may find that your train jumping the track is from other reason and not 027 track. It could be the cars are too light or the truck on them are loose.

 

My who layout is made from 027 track.

tom

[spankybird]

Oh, I almost forgot, for biger enginges running on 027 track

[Anonymous]

What a fantastic layout! My son would love something like that. It's our first day and we are getting better at controlling the speed, but I would still love to have more than a little oval. Nice pictures! Matuchi...............

[Geno]

You can still get 042 and 054 curves in 027 track, as well as the 042 remote switches from Lionel. The wider radius track is nice because it lets you run run faster and the trains look better going through wider curves. It doesn't look as realistic as Fastrak, but for someone starting out in the hobby it's alot more affordable.

I have tried all different types of 3-rail track (Atlas, Gargraves, K-Line, O and O-27 Lionel) and the one I have the most of is the Lionel O-27. I keep it because it's easy to set up and break down, cheap, and it has that nostalgic Lionel look.

Geno

[c50truck]

Hello.
If your plans are to have a layout table, stay with the 0-27 for now. I looked at all the others even though I had boxes of tubular 0-27. After finding this sight and saving all of Tom's, (Spankybirds) photos. I realized for me the 0-27 would be fine. It is all I need. And using 0-27 leaves me with extra money to spend on what's important. The trains and accessories.

Rod

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the ideas. So far we had fun with the train set today. I did notice that I do have a little trouble with the tracks coming apart, but other than that they seem alright. My wife asked me to wait until next month before I buy more tracks, as we had three family members with a birthday in the last two weeks. So I will have time to look at track and see what's out there and how much I want to spend. Have a nice Labor Day!

[brianel027]

Matuchi, first off with your loco jumping the track... that may have as much to do with uneven track (like set on carpeting) or running the loco at high speeds. I use 027 track with 027 curves and have no problems with locos jumping the track. You may want to invest in a decent used postwar 1033 Lionel transformer. They can be had for between $25-$45. This is a nice transformer for a kid because unlike many other Lionel transfromers, the 1033 has an selectable voltage of 0-11 volts to the track - perfect for your needs.

Now if you are only planning on having a floor layout for the immediate future, FasTract (despite the expense) might be the way to go.

If you want to save money and build some kind of layout, 027 track is affordable and will suit your needs. I doubt you are going to be running large expensive locomotives that will not negotiate the tight curves anyways. check this website for layout ideas: www.thortrains.net

Here's some specific links for small 027 layouts on the above site:

www.thortrains.net/marx/460271.html

www.thortrains.net/marx/drlay271.html

All the many varied track systems have pros and cons and 027 is included. But one of the pros is the affordable cost. I have built a small layout on a door for my nephew. It has plenty of action and was very affordable. It's simple (door painted green) and we used black foam coare board to make additional ties for the toyish track, which also help deaded sound. He likes to move the buildings around, so light towers and street lights are the only things in one place. The tall light towers are set up to be removed easily should the layout have to be moved, as are a couple of the operating accessories.

Believe me, despite the advertised list price expense of the hobby, it can be done creatively and on a budget. There are things you and the kids can make yourself (an entire forrest can be made from an old artificial CHRISTmas tree with the branches cut short to replicate pine trees), and much can be found used. A little more patience is needed this way, and you can't always run everything you might (larger long train cars, locos) like on the 027 track, but that's all part of the compromise.

I'm sure others whill chime in on their feelings. There are guys here who really like FasTrack. I was down on it when it came out, but I have to conceed it has been very popular and done well for Lionel. But it is more costly and that's a big factor when on a family budget.

I'll add I am probably the biggest advocate on this or any forum for seeing folks like you and your kids participate in this hobby. I've always felt strongly that the over-abundance and over-production of expensive scale trains has done little to grow this hobby and hurts it incredibly for the future. Even Lionel knows this, though they thus far have done little to change it. Feel free to ask me any questions if I can help.

[cnw1995]

I use 027 tubular track on our layout. It's inexpensive and easy to obtain. Enjoy building that layout with your boy.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge about this hobby. I'm sure my son will be one of the future train enthusiasts you talked about. We had an end of summer camp-out in the back yard last night, and he got out of the sack like a shot this morning and has been at his new train set ever since. His goal is to be a fireman, and then drive trains on his day off. It's too bad that there aren't that many trains anymore for him to enjoy like when I was growing up. I'm glad that I stumbled upon this forum and I will look forward to reading your comments.  I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to help my son and I get started. Matuchi........

[phillyreading]

If you are going to use 027 track may I suggest using 3R plastic's rubber ties for putting in between the metal ties to make it look more realistic. www.3r-plastics.com   I have been in the hobby for a long time and 027 track is good to use, don't sell every track size or cross-over in 027.  Far as using Lionel Fastrac wait for long term reviews.  For my own track layout I mix in GarGraves & 027 track, GarGraves again is more expensive than 027 but come in wider curves and more switch sizes & only needs adapter pins to go with 027 track.  

I have only seen Fastrac to O Gauge adapters at my local hobby shop in Lantana FL, so from what I know about differant track you would have to adapt 027 to O gauge then to Fastrac, to be kind it will not look good!  Also from what Spankybird mentioned Fastrac may have a loud noise facter with it.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

As of right now all I have is the 0-27 track that came with the set, eight straight pieces and eight curved pieces, so right now would be a good time to decide which way I want to go, before I have a bunch of one or the other. The problem I'm having at the moment is the track is on the living room floor which is wall to wall carpet. The whole house has carpet except the kitchen and bathrooms, and mom won't let us build a track there. I'm not too worried about noise, but I am getting tired of having to keep joining the tracks back together. Thanks for the info and ideas. Matuchi.................

[cnw1995]

Try screwing them into a board if you have one. Then you can slide the board under or behind something when not in use.

[Anonymous]

That would work, but my son has been setting up tracks with his Thomas engines for so long that he spends hours making elaborate set-ups and then the next day takes them all apart and rearranges them again. So I'm just a little worried that after I screw them onto a board he will want to change the layout. He has so much wooden Thomas track that he make real cool twenty to thirty foot rail lines with bridges, buildings, water towers, docking stations etc. etc. and so on. But now he will be transitioning away to real trains and I will have to start getting him the things he needs all over again. Anybody know where I can off load a boat load of Thomas the train stuff?