Would you buy quality 027 profile switches?

[douellet]

I've been reading with interest about Lionel's new track system and of the growing variety of 3 rail track systems on the market. They might all be nice but there is something to be said for tradition, O27 and 0 gauge track has served the toy train hobby well for generations. My thoughts are "if it's not broke don't fix it." (I'm using 0 gauge on my layout because the switches are better.)

I like the profile of 027 better than 0 and the price is better but the switches that have been available for many years have been poor at best. I think there would be a pretty good market for lighted 027 and wider radius switches with fixed voltage plugs. Something that looked like the old 1121's Lionel made years ago.

Williams has started making some traditional 027 and 0 gauge track. Maybe they might have an interest in adding some switches to their line as most of the other major players seem more interested in making this type of track a thing of the past.
What do you think? Would you buy a good 027 style switch?

[brianel027]

A resounding YES if it were along the lines of the old Lionel 1024 in size. I agree with you douellet on the topic of 027 switch operating features. But the old 1121 still has the same large footprint that is so limiting on small layouts.

K-Line is to be applauded for the recent redesign of their 027 switches. BUT they still have the same oversized footprint. Though they are an improvement over what was previously made.

The technology is now here, and I'm sure a 027 switch could be done with a smaller footprint. As as added thought, I've always liked the "shut-off" feature of the manual 1022 switch... a novel idea at little extra cost. Certainly cost-effective when compared to the non-derailing rails.

[willpick]

Yes, I would. I have bought the new design K-Line's for my sisters O27 layout. they work great, but like Brianel, I wi***hat the footprint was smaller. When Atlas came out with their track system, the one item that was missing was an O27 switch. I have sent Emails to Atlas O inquiring about why they have never produced an O27 switch, I have never gotten a reply other than the pro forma "thank you for your inquriry". IMHO, Atlas would sell a very large number of O27 switches IF they ever make them.

[spankybird]

Good morning all,

Most of what you are looking for, K-line has for you. The have a LOW profile switch in 027 height in 027 diameter and 042 diameter. It has lights on the switch and controller and can run on fix power.



Brian is correct that it still has a large footprint. It is about the same as a Lionel switch.

The low profile does allow for long cars and larger engines to clear the switch motor. I do use 027 tube track on both of my layouts with the K-line switches. I can run large engines such as my MTH Railing C-O Allegheny 2-6-6-6 and a UP Challenger 4-6-6-4



tom

[ChiefEagles]

Yes I would too. Got lots of the older 027 switches and will sue them on the new layout for yards and city tracks. If I buy any, they will be KLine because of the low profile. Good pictures Spankybird.

[Anonymous]

Nice pics Spank. Wish more folks would post pics. I will post some of my scratchbuilt 5 engine roundhouse if no one will laugh. Any ways .. question .. are those k-275.. k-276 switches? If not what is the difference>? also does anyone know how close together parallel tracks can be run with these switches? Thanks in advance..Tim

[waltrapp]

Count me in. I'm in the process of replacing my 30 Lionel O27 27" switches with K-line's. My O27 42" ones are OK except for the buzzing. I've only replaced a dozen 27" ones so far and won't buy more until I get a chance to put them thru their paces on my Christmas layout.

I know the switches are only $25 each, but the quality is really lacking. The plastic to metal ratio sure stands out, especially as compared to Lionel's. On my new K-line ones I had to shave off plastic on ALL SIX of my right-hand switches to prevent derailments. The lefts are mysteriously fine.

But on my quickly set up test layout they did seem to perform well. And, OH YEAH, I didn't have to listen to Lionel's "buzzing" every time a train ran over them.

Before I invest more moolah, if a train company came out with a smaller footprinted, quality O27 profile switch FOR A REASONABLE PRICE I'd jump in head over heels!

- walt

[Anonymous]

As long as it's lionel type rail and not Atlas or MTH. I don't like the modern Lionel switches, but use one on my layout along with 2 postwar 027 switches that work better. I love those postwar switches!

Alas, my local hobby shop says 027 track is being replaced by FasTrack. Guess I will have to use 036 Fastrack for a larger layout in the future.... not that I'm complaining (I like the track), but I hope the switches work good!

[spankybird]

Hi Tim,

The part number are for 42” diameter is K-0275 for Left Hand, K-0276 for Right Hand, and for 27” diameter is K0265 for Left Hand, K-0266 for Right Hand.

The distance between tracks is about 7” center rail to center rail for the 27” diameter, the same as Lionel. These are basically drop in replacements for the Lionel switches.

I am glad you liked the pics [tup]

You can check out the rest of my layout by clicking on the Web icon below.

Tom [:D]

[trainsopray1]

The switches for sale today are needlessly expensive. I am always looking for ones dating back to the 60's. I think the proper type is 100mph switches. None of the bulk the moder companies are selling but boy can you go fast thru them and have no overhang conflicts. I gao back to $3.00 per section of Gargraves 30 inch flex track.
I can beleive how much a person can spend to fill a 4x8 sheet of ply with track and switches.

[douellet]

I wasn't aware that K-Line had done a redesign of its 027 switches. The ones they had made in the past didn't look too good and I had read that they didn't work well. These new switches appear to be a step in the right direction. Too bad they didn't make the footprint smaller. The pictures that Tom posted were great! How well have these switches worked on your layout?

I can't agree more that some of these switches are really too pricey. If you are working on a budget, $40 or more a switch is pretty high. The beauty of 027 should be lower cost while still offering a quality product.

Keep us posted on those K-Line switches.

Staying on track up in the State of Maine, spring is almost here![:)]

[spankybird]

Hi all,

I have had these switches for around 2 years without any problems. And one of the other nice things that Walt pointed out and I forgot to say, but will now is

NO Buzzing when you park a car on them

tom