0-31 Tracks

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I was hoping some one could help me with some track questions. I want to build an lionel 0 guage layout. Do all the companies use the same guage standards. If not, can anyone help with some info. Does anyone recommend any brand in particular. Last, I have 0-27 switches that are brand new can I cut a piece of straight and attach it to the end to make up the difference?
Thanks in advance
Angelo

[Anonymous]

Well, the GOOD news is, Angelo, that the manufacturers all use the same gauge standard.
The bad news is, that none of the track is immediately compatible.
The good news about that is, that there are LOTS of choices.
Lionel is manufacturing two types of track ~ the old reliable, 3-tie-per-section tubular track. This is available new at hobby stores, and used on ebay. But breaking that down even further, they use a smaller rail and tie size with the 027 track vs. the 031. These two are the closest in compatabilty, but you'll need shims to raise the 027 to 031 height, and expand the 027 tubular rail to accept the slightly larger 031 connecting pins. WHEW!
Lionel is also now starting to manufacture Fastrack. Included with their starter sets, it has a slightly larger radius curve than tubular, but has the ballast and track as one assembly. The connections are excellent, but incompatable with any other track.
MTH produces an all-in-one track as well. While I'm sure there are those who love it, I personally have had some poor experiences with contacts and connections.
K~Line makes track that looks similar to Lionel's tubular, and also makes their own version of a 3 rail track. I have no personal experience with it.
Gargraves makes flexible track with wooden ties. Many hi-railers use it with pleasing results. This track can be curved to any radius you desire.
Any one of these will suit your O gauge locomotive; but as I said, the track joining mechanics make them incompatible.
I might suggest that you visit a local hobby store (LHS) and see which one suits your needs best.
Good luck in all you do!

[brianel027]

Angelo, just for your info, the height of the 027 track and Gargraves is the same and Gargraves makes mating pins to connect the two. If you are looking to save money, go with the 027 track - since you already have some switches. Beware though that some of the newer more scale-sized engines and cars will not clear the "box hoursing" on the Lionel and older K-Line 027 switches. But many traditional items will clear the 027 switches: Lionel GP-9's (also Williams), F-3's, NW-2's (also Williams), the 027 Alco FA's, K-Line's MP-15's, S-2's and Alco FA's. Both Lionel and K-Line do make switches and track with a 42" radius in addition to the standard 27" radius. K-Line also supposedly revised the switch box on their 027 switch to a much much smaller type that would be no problem for clearance - but I have yet to actually see one in person.
BUT if you really like the O gauge tubular track, go with that and replace the 027 switches with the older 022 type switches. Lionel re-engineered the O22 switch a few years ago and they turned out to be real duds. But basically the 022 switches are superior in operation and easier to wire than the Lionel electric 027 ones.
You could use sectional tubular track with Gargraves switches... the newer ones from the past few years are improved over older ones. They do make mating pins for O tubular track also, but you would need to make a riser for the switch to match the height of the O-gauge tubular track.

You might ask why all this variety of styles (confusion) and non-compatability between different track types? Well, all the companies are in pretty serious competition with eachother. Obviously they all want to sell you "their" track system, which they probably all feel theirs is the best. Ultimately the best one is up to you to decide. And that will be determined in part by how much you want to spend, how big your layout will be, and what size or type of trains you'll be running.

brianel, Agent 027

[Anonymous]

Angelo,

I'll vote for the Lionel " 0" gauge track also. I had 027 track for a long time but finally made the change over to "0" track. I sold most of the 027 stuff. The good points about the "0" track are that you can take the 022 switches apart to work on them, you can swap the position of the part that actually moves the switch rails from one side to the other to accomodate the needs of your layout also you can supply a separate voltage supply to the switch and make them move more reliably without having to turn up the transformer that runs the train, finally these switches are more reliable over all.

One thing I'll be doing in the near future is installing some sidings off my mainline (which is "0" gauge) and using 027 track and a few switches so as to give the appearance of having lighter gauge rail in the yards and sidings.


Hope this helps,
Rich

[lionelsoni]

It sounds like you intend to use the O27 switches, in which case you might as well just use O27 track with them--if your trains can handle the switches, they would have no further trouble with the rest of the track.

If you were to try to make the switches correctly fit into the geometry of O31 switches, you would actually have to add three pieces so short as to be difficult: 11/16 inches at each end of the curve and 1/2 inch at the trailing point end of the straight track.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the good info guys. I'm going to go tedious and add the peices to my switches. The trains make the swing (around the box) but I want the turns to be wider as the trucks on some of the larger engines grind on the drive wheels and the f-3 trucks seem to hit the frame very little, but its enough to dive this perfectinist crazy. :) If it gets me too crazy I'm going to go with the 022s

Trainbud: Thanks for the vote of confidenceas this is my first real layout project.
Brianel: I just might go with the 022's if adding gets me crazy, Thanks
Rich: Good luck with the project
Bob: Thanks for the #'s I'm going to try that first.

Thanks again guys
Angelo

[Roger Bielen]

Angelo,

Lionel makes, or used to, a 42" diam. curve track in the O27 profile. This may solve your desire for a wider curve if the size is acceptable.

[lionelsoni]

And in-between, there is Marx O34, which I highly recommend. The switches are particulary well designed.

[darsenau]

My vote is for K-line track. They have an O-gauge track which has a blackened center rail and plastic ties which makes it more realistic than the typical tubular track. They also make it in different radius curves, it will mate with all the 022 switches, or K-line also makes switches in various rarii.