Will my 1960's Lionel O gauge trains work on new 3 rail track?

[gdelmoro]

I want to add to or replace my existing 3 rail Lionel track.  Will new 3 rail connect, work and support switches and other accessories?

[sir james I]

Gargrave track is the same height as 027 track. There are transition  tracks for GG and Lionel Fastrack. They mate with your old and the other end mates with the new. Be advised that Fastrack has a hollow base and can be noisy, the switches are pricey. Actually all newer track systems are pricey.

[gdelmoro]

Well I guess I'll try eBay

[rtraincollector]

Lionel use to offer transition pieces for between O gauge and fast track. there hard to find now. You might be better going with new O/O27 track or Gargraves track as you can get transitioning pins to connect your old O/O27 to gargraves. This is ofcoarse you want to connect or use certain pieces of your old track system

[ADCX Rob]

rtraincollector

Lionel use to offer transition pieces for between O gauge and fast track. there hard to find now...

Well, where Lionel drops the ball, Menards picks up the slack:

[cwburfle]

What kind of track do you have?
Traditional "O" and "027" track is still being made and is available.

[rtraincollector]

ADCX Rob

 

 

rtraincollector

Lionel use to offer transition pieces for between O gauge and fast track. there hard to find now...

 

 

Well, where Lionel drops the ball, Menards picks up the slack:

 

I for got about that. Brain malfunction. Sorry. 

[KRM]

cwburfle

What kind of track do you have?
Traditional "O" and "027" track is still being made and is available.

 

  WHO is making Lionel style "Traditional tubular" "027" track? It is my understanding that Lionel has stopped production and what you see on the market is NOS selling off.  Menards is making "Traditional tubular" "O" I know there are O27 profile tracks being made but not Lionel Style.

[Boyd]

I wish Menards would sell 027 profile track and wide radious curves like 042, 054, 072 and maybe 096. I bought a bunch of 202 all 3 rails stainless Gargraves to replace the 10 year old Fastrak I removed from my yard and sold a year ago. My next order might be the all stainless Gargraves with plastic ties.  

[BigAl 956]

Despite rumors, O27 track is plentiful and readily available. Try your local hobby shop or do a quick search on-line.

Or better yet, dump the O27 and go with O. Your layout will thank you for it. :)

[Boyd]

I have wondered what's the purpose of the O gauge track being taller and having thicker tubes in the rails. Cars are usually under 2 pounds, engines are not much more. It just looks more odd than 027. When I can find it I buy 027 profile 072 curve track made by K-line when they were still in busines. 

[phillyreading]

I would either stay with the Lionel 027 or O gauge tubular track & switches then use the newer Fastrack. In my dealings with newer track Lionel's Fastrack is way over priced and gets dirty very quickly even without an engine that has steam in it.

I have gone with close to 50% of my track being Gargraves straights & curves with Ross Custom switches. The track will cost a little bit more but holds up better then most other types of track. Also the Ross Custom switch is about the same price(maybe a few dollars less then Fastrack switch) as a Fastrack switch, however Ross Custom switch will work better in the long run or after many years.

Another nice thing about Gargraves and Ross Custom switches is the switch motor is on the outside, so no track removal to replace a bad switch motor.

Lee Fritz

[BigAl 956]

Boyd

what's the purpose of the O gauge track being taller and having thicker tubes in the rails.

Key word in your question is 'thicker'. O track was the original track but Lionel wanted a cheaper track for starter sets. Thus O27 was born. Its metal content is reduced because the height and thickness of the components is less. Unfortunately as the track is thinner is tends to flex and is more likely to go out of gage. That, combined with its sharper 27" diameter circle makes for more derailments.

I know there is a large contigent of O27 users out there that are ready to respond and I will not dare to challenge your O27 loyalty. For me personally, once I eliminated O27 from most of my layout my operational flaws went away, the sun parted in Plasticville, and the citizens came out to visit the Aquarium riding there in a C&O yellowbird that stayed on the track. 

[Boyd]

99% of the track on my layout is 027 with no 027 diameter curves or switches. 042 and larger curves are used. One curve is a combination of 042 and 054 curves just to get the most out of the space I have to work with.  Is there anyone who has had track rails wear through? O is noticeably taller and farther from scale height and more expensive. It's just so odd looking. If you have money to blow then you might go with O gauge profile track. My income is limited so most of my cars and engines were bought used and a great majority of them are MPC era. The yard on my layout was Fastrak. I didn't like it. Sides of the rail were straight up and down vertical. If Lionel wanted to try a little harder they could use the same plastic base for the track but make the rail in such a way that looks much more like a rail. I bought 23 Gargraves 202 all stainless so I can turn up the humidifier as the layout is in my bedroom. 

[phillyreading]

I like using Gargraves track because the curves are 032 and the straight sections can be bought in 36.25 inch lengths. I also use Gargraves 042 curves instead of Lionel tubular curves in 042, because Gargraves is closer to the layout surface then O gauge tubular curves, although being an inch or so wider in radius then Lionel 042 curves.

I have started going over to Ross Custom switches because the rails are all metal unlike Gargraves in 042 sizes. Gargraves switches in 042 have only one metal outside rail after the switch throw compared to Ross switches having all metal rails in the switch, and that helps a whole lot with track layout work.

Lee Fritz