lionelsoniWhat do you measure for the center-rail chord, Rob?
What do you measure for the center-rail chord, Rob?
I use this figure as it gives perfect attachment in a passing siding arrangement where the straight track sections(& straight sections of the switches) are a known fixed length. I use Geodon Computing "TLS" Train Layout System on a Zenith laptop running DOS.
Rob
Bob Nelson
Bob.MAnd would the radius for O-42 O Gauge track be 20 1/4?
And would the radius for O-42 O Gauge track be 20 1/4?
I use 20.17" center rail radius for "O-42" and get perfect track geometry every time.
Train-OBob.M,One of our fellow forum members, Mike Spanier, recently posted a Dec. 1950 "Popular Science" publication regarding an article on Lionel Trains and in one picture there is a bridge span with Lionel trains on it and it looks very similar to the Lionel 2009 cover illustration, which you posted about.Ralph
Bob.M,
One of our fellow forum members, Mike Spanier, recently posted a Dec. 1950 "Popular Science" publication regarding an article on Lionel Trains and in one picture there is a bridge span with Lionel trains on it and it looks very similar to the Lionel 2009 cover illustration, which you posted about.
Ralph
Thanks, I checked out that posting. That is clearly a drawing, but the 2009 catalog looks like a photograph of plastic parts, which must exist somewhere. (Maybe I could make a bridge out of Legos.. Just kidding). I also enjoyed seeing the picture of the 1949 or 1950 Ford and its flathead engine. Back in the day, when I was a crazy teenage hotrodder, and I spent many hours trying to get more power out of that engine.
Making a circle seems obvious; but it is not the easiest way to measure track radius. As you noticed, it's hard to get a good circle. You can make it a little easier by measuring twice, with the measurements 90 degrees apart, and averaging. You just have to be sure that the track doesn't move between measurements.
But, for a more precise result, measure between the ends of the center rail of one section. This works even if that's all you have, of course. The radius is half the measurement, divided by the sine of half the angle that the section represents (30/2 = 15 degrees in this case). This method is also not very sensitive to whether the track has been bent and can't be fooled by loose rail joints.
lionelsoniThat is the radius that I have measured for K-Line and Lionel O27-profile O42. Whether it is the same for O31-profile, I don't know. That radius corresponds to a 10.5-inch distance between the ends of the center rail of a 30-degree curved section.
That is the radius that I have measured for K-Line and Lionel O27-profile O42. Whether it is the same for O31-profile, I don't know. That radius corresponds to a 10.5-inch distance between the ends of the center rail of a 30-degree curved section.
Looks like it is a good number for the O-42 track that was delivered yesterday. It is not O-27 profile, It matches my O-31 track for height. I put a complete circle on the floor and measured 40 3/4" diameter. It takes a while before I get 2 readings that are the same, I have to keep squeezing it away from an oval shape. I noticed a few tracks had a gap of about 1/16", which tells me that the figure is probably 40 1/2" for diameter, which agrees with your 20 1/4" radius.
For my installation, I had to bend it to a 39 1/2" dia, but it has fixed the K-Line Interurban derailing problem.
lionelsoniNo, O34 is O27-profile tubular track made by Marx. The radius (to the center rail) is 15.75 inches, compared to 14.142 for O31 and 12.5 for O27. It is not very difficult to find, although it hasn't been made for many years.
No, O34 is O27-profile tubular track made by Marx. The radius (to the center rail) is 15.75 inches, compared to 14.142 for O31 and 12.5 for O27. It is not very difficult to find, although it hasn't been made for many years.
lionelsoniO34?
O34?
I did a Google search, and found that is probably a reference to Lionel "Super-O", circa 1957. I saw some pictures of the track, and some of it has the ballast, while others do not, just plastic ties. Looks like I would need an adapter to connect to the O-31. On promising thing is that it was designed to be compatible with the 111 Elevated Trestle set, which looks just like the 6-12755 Trestle Set. I don't know if FasTrack is compatible with these trestles.
Train-OBob.M, I don't have an answer for you, but I do agree with you that the bridge is neat.Hopefully Lionel will produce same for sale, as that is a nifty bridge. Ralph
I don't have an answer for you, but I do agree with you that the bridge is neat.Hopefully Lionel will produce same for sale, as that is a nifty bridge.
I am revising an up ramp, since some of my cars have trouble with the O-31 curves on it, and was considering some of the FastTrack with its 36" diameter to replace my tubular O-31, but I thought the "ballast" would look out of place. Lionel needs something for the new subway/elevated cars to run on. I settled on some tubular O-42, but it will be a tight fit.
It is just cover art. I doubt they will ever make it.
I see a plastic bridge and supports on the front cover, but I don't see it shown inside. Does anyone know if this is offered for sale?
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