New here

[Bunnymob]

Hello. I have been reading this forum for a while, and have now joined.... I was into Lionel in the 1970's until I got my first car, whereupon my intrest waned. However the last time I was home I set up my tracks and had a great time messing about. I bought a load of stuff on e-bay and now have a large (ish) layout in 027. I am up to speed with wiring and simulated train operations, but have never manageed to get my head round the 0 vs 027 scale.

Specifically all the engines I have are 027, but I would like to complete my collection of MPC steamers with the Daylight Special, the Norfolk and Western (as in the mast head)  and the Mexican-made Pensy turbine, as well as either the Flying Yankee or the Hiawatha (from the late 1980's)

I am looking for some way in which I can achieve this-even if the  O scale trains are run in tandem with my MPC and never cross onto the 027 layout. I would switch to O scale however I have 25 switches and the cost of conversion (not to mention the labour involved would be prohibitative).

A conversion I would like to do,is to switch my MPC Broadway Specials (with the plastic couplers) to those with operational couplers.

many thanks

DH

[sir james I]

Well come on in and enjoy. There's lot's of good people here with out all the bickering that goes on other places. CTT is not as busy but the guys are helpful. Read some of the coffee pot and understand before you do that it's a place where we can chat poke fun and tell each other our troubles and joys. If you like it just jump in anywhere.   S.J.

[Train-O]

DH,

Welcome onboard,

CTT Forum has many friendly, knowledgable and helpful members.

Trains are a great way to have fun.

Enjoy,

Ralph

[KRM]

Welcom DH,

 I to am sort of new here and started off with some of the same questions. Check out this forum link and you will see what I did and others had to say. You will see in the picture what you will run into with 027 switches with long engines and cars. 

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/192796.aspx

The big thing is your question on gauge. There is a diffrence in track height off the table between 0 and 027 track. 027 is closer to the table and 0 is higher in profile off of the table.You may know this but 0 = 31" circle 027 = 27" circle.

 You can get 42", 54", and 72" curve 027 profile Lionel track that will fit up to your 027. Also Marx made a wide curve thack in 034 that will also fit right up. Lionel also sells 027 -42" curve switches. Those are what I use. I ended up with a large outer loop with a min curve of 034 and made a smaller inner loop of all 027.

 Hope this helps.

 Kevin

[wrmcclellan]

Welcome DH!

Bunnymob - interesting moniker!

[Seayakbill]

Welcome Bunnymob, One possible solution would be to replace just a couple of your 027 switches with a couple 042 switches that have with the same 027 height to run the larger MPC steamers. As stated earlier there are larger radius curves compatible with the height 027 track.

[KRM]

Bunnymob,

 Post some pictures of your layout if you can it sounds like it is nice and would help to see it.

Kev

[RockIsland52]

Good Mornin' Ya'll From Overcast Taxachusetts,

Just a quick splash and go.

SJ.........you crack me up!  Hope Paula doesn't read that one, for Chuck's sake.   Chuck......no trains until Thanksgiving?  My money is on you, and sooner.   Roy......glad to hear that there is progress, and a valid excuse  reason to slow down for the time being. I think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome of the neck from watching the trains go round and round.   Fife......how much did Rotor Rooter charge you?    SP Ray.........you are in a spot.  Do your best.  Prayers continue for your SIS. SJ......oh no, Granny's mobile!!!!  Now you are in trouble!    Chief.......now you don't have to walk so far to go fishin !!!!!    MikeC........sorry to hear about the "about face" with your soccer teams.   SubmmBob......firing on all cylinders, good for you!  Stay away from the skunks    Rich.....sounds like there are some possibilities out there others have suggested?  While jobs are scarce, they are less so for those a cut above......and that would be you.  NETWORKING, brother.  JimmyT......drop the $ on insurance and car payments on the Mustang before you change your mind.  I agree with your decision to take a pass on the PGT.  Or spend it on your 1997 Probe GT, better to have one exceptional example. 

Later, gang.  Prayers for those who need them, like me with my Red Sox. 

Jack

[laz 57]

BUNNYMOB,

  My dog MINNIE would have fun chasing that name.  Glad to see you here on the forum, stop by the Coffee pot and laugh at us.  Don't mind ROCKISLANDs last post he sometimes gets distracted and puts his post whereever.  I think its called old timers or something to that effect.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[DMUinCT]

Welcome DH to The Forum.

Local Train Shows are a good place to look and talk and rember twice a year they have the big one in York PA..   

If you are located anywhere in the Northeast, in October the largest of the train shows  is held in York Pa on October 13th to 15th. The Eastern Division of The Train Collectors Association fills all 8 Halls at the York Fair Grounds (York Expo Center).  Come and talk with Lionel, MTH, Atlas, RMT, and hundreds of other dealers. With 250 Dealers and 1,000 member tables you can find almost any train.

www.easterntca.org

www.tcamembers.org

 

[phillyreading]

[#welcome bunnymob,

You might be able to find some wider radius 027 track at train shows. Depends where you live, but look up stuff under events in the CTT mag or online events section. Pennsylvania has some of the larger train shows, York and Hamburg PA, but other states have good size train shows as well.

Another option is to use a differant brand of switch and/or track to get some curves that are close to 027 in heigth. Gargraves makes track and switches that are very close to 027 in heigth but have a much wider radius curve. You will need adaptor pins for Gargraves to 027 track.

K-Line also made some 42 inch switches in 027 but are hard to find as K-Line went out a few years ago.

Lee F.