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MTH O-31 Train

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 163 posts
MTH O-31 Train
Posted by Locojunkie on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:33 PM
I have and operate Lionel trains on O-27 Track. I recently purchased my first MTH PRR L-1 locomotive that operates on O-31 track. Can I operate the MTH on My Lionel O-27 Track?
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:05 PM
I don't know about that particular locomotive; but I run the Rail King Big Boy on O27 with a few modifications. Have you tried it?

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Willoughby, Ohio
  • 5,231 posts
Posted by spankybird on Thursday, November 4, 2004 5:54 AM
Hi Locojunkie,

My best guess is yes. I have many MTH Berkshire and Mohawks.


click on pic to enlarge

Two things to check
1. The length of the wire harness from the tender. If you need a longer one, remove the tender cover and pull more cord out. There is usually extra cord in it.
2. The other thing is going thru switches. I use the Kline low profile turnouts. If you are using Lionel switches, you may have a problem with the switch motor housing.

Check out my web page by clicking on the icon below to see some of the other engines I run on 027 layout. Also click on the links on the bottom of the pages to see some action videos.

Good Luck

tom

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, November 4, 2004 10:08 AM
I pulled the tether on my Big Boy's tender out as far as it would go, but the conductors eventually broke anyway. When I tried to order a replacement, the web site showed none available. I called the company. The very helpful woman who answered the phone explained that they had replaced the original tether part with one of two generic tethers of different lengths. She assumed that I would want the shorter, which was the normal replacement for the Big Boy; but I asked her to send the longer one, which has been fine so far.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Boca Raton, FL
  • 406 posts
Posted by willpick on Thursday, November 4, 2004 5:55 PM
Locojunkie, the MTH engine should go around your O27 track without problems. Many of the Railking engines MTH makes are capable of O27 operation. In fact, MTH's "O31" track is closer to "O29" when measured center rail to center rail. Enjoy your new engine!!

A Day Without Trains is a Day Wasted

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, November 4, 2004 8:46 PM
The diameter of Lionel tubular O31 is 28 1/4" on centers. The diameter of O27 is 25" on centers.

You can't be sure that any particular MTH O31 locomotive will do O27. However, there's a good chance that it will out of the box and a good chance that, if it won't, it can be modified to. But no guarantee.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Omaha,Nebr
  • 87 posts
Posted by chemung on Friday, November 5, 2004 11:05 AM
Locojunkie,I have a Rail King PRR 2-10-0 decapod,that the box says 42" curves.It easily goes around O-31,with the blind #5 rear wheel moving over the curve and not touching.Looks odd if you are looking for it,but works fine.This unit also has the Long Haul tender,but it goes around without trouble.I also have Williams FM Trainmasters that go around O-27 with no problems.

Dave W.
A travling man AF&AM
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 1,634 posts
Posted by pbjwilson on Friday, November 5, 2004 9:20 PM
I've got a set of Williams madison style passenger cars, about 15!/2" each. They recomend 31 inch curves but I love to run them on O27. With the six cars running all lit up they kind of pivot around the curves. It's great with the lights off in the room, each car flashes through the curves. Also use my 736 Berk. on O27 - no problem.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 7, 2004 1:07 PM
Pjwilson, I been having similar questions about what will run on 027 track. Can your Lionel 736 Berkshire go through 027 curves and 027 switches? If it can, does that mean that current Williams Berkshires can also make it through 027 curves and switches? Half the people I talk to say that Berkshires have no problem with 027 curves and the others say it is too tight, and causes the wheels to bind. What is your opinion?

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