Crossover Question

[Fred Bear]

Lionel sells a 22 1/2 degree crossover section. I think that will work for what I need, but I have old Lionel track, will that link up with the new 22 1/2 degree piece? Thanks, Jake

[phillyreading]

First off what types of track are you trying to connect? Is it 027, three rail with brown cross-ties or O Gauge three rail with black cross-ties, or is it Super O from the 50's three rail track with a smaller center rail and needs special connecter pins.  There are TOO many track systems to tell you if it will work without seeing what you have.

Lee F.

[Fred Bear]

I have a cluster XXXX of all kinds of track, basically a cobbled up mess, but it all works well! I can tie it into the brown stuff easiest. Will it work with the brown ties? Thanks, Jake

[phillyreading]

Fred,

Not sure if it will work!  Need to know if you are putting together 027 track or just O gauge track. Some guys say that you can put 027 & O Gauge together, as for my attempts it DON'T work!! I have been in the hobby for around 35 years. Derailments a plenty happened with my attempts at 027 & O Gauge without using adapter tracks.

Lee F.

[cnw1995]

I think this cross-over will work for you, Fred or rather you can make it work if you have to... Lee makes a good point about mixing track but it continuess to work for me - I have primarily 027 track but have mixed it with Marx and 031 as well. I run relatively light and little trains rather trolleys on it. 

[Fred Bear]

Lee, it's all 027 track, just mixing the different era of track, but all 027. Thanks, Jake

[phillyreading]

cnw1995,

I have tried to mix 027 & O Gauge track, opened up the 027 track with a screwdriver and closed it over an O Gauge pin & the track wanted to split, also tried closing the O Gauge track around the 027 track and it was really bad-caused derailments as the O Gauge track stuck out from crimping it closed. The only way that I have been able to use is going to GarGraves track and using adapter pins to go to 027-GarGraves-O Gauge. The section of GarGraves has to be at least 2 inches long.

Lee F.

[Fred Bear]

This stuff is all older Lionel 027 stuff, some with brown ties, some with black ties, but it's all 027 . I don't fight derailments or anything, that all seems to work OK. I have built a bridge over the lower track and that seems to be working OK, so the crossover might not be needed, although it sure seems a much simplier way to do things. If I thought the 11 degree would work, I still think I'd be tempted to buy it, Jake

[lionelsoni]

Much O27 track has been made by Lionel and others with black ties.  The length of the ties might be a better indicator, 2 versus 2 1/4 inches.

[phillyreading]

Not doubting that it is 027 as there where many companies that made track years ago to include Ives(around the 30's) & Marx, maybe one of your tracks that has black center rails is Ives or Marx. Even K-Line made 027 track and switches a few years ago. Since you say it is all 027 track maybe you can get in touch with Ready To Roll in Miami(305-688-8868, www.readytorolltrains.com).

Lee

[Fred Bear]

Thanks Lee, much appreciated, Jake

[cnw1995]

Well said, Lee. I didn't mean to imply it wasn't a problem for either of us. I think it has worked longer for me since I run such light stock. So you linked the track without special connecting pieces?