Prewar 027 Lionel and switches

[Gillty]

I'd like to build a layout that can handle both my prewar 027 Lionel engines as well as any O gauge ones. Unfortunately the 027's have a hard time making it over Lionel's O gauge switches. Are there any other track manufacturers that would allow me to run both?

Thanks,
Rich

[spankybird]

HI Rick

Welcome to the CTT forum


K-line makes a much better switch in O27 as a drop in replacement to the Lionel switch. IMO it is much better than the Lionel. I have replace all my Lionel switches with the K-line. Price is about $25.00 each


Click on the pic to enlarge it.
tom

[3railguy]

Some prewar Lionel 027 engines have wheel gears that are the same diameter as the flange and will interfere with the switch frogs on postwar Lionel switches. Is this what you are experiencing? If this is the case, Prewar Lionel 027 switches are frogless and will work with your prewar as well as postwar 027 engines.

[Gillty]

Yes, I'm having problems with prewar 027 engines on the postwar Lionel switches (I guess the switch frogs(?). What I'd optimally like is to have 1 track layout that can run both the prewar 027 as well as pre and poswar O gauge.

If I go with all 027 the 0 gauge trains won't make the curves and if I go with 0 the 027's can't clear the switches.

I'm kind of limited on space so I didn't want to dedicate an oval just to the 027 trains.

I was just hoping that since there are several companies and types of track out there that one would work for everything. Thanks

[Dave Farquhar]

Gillty, one option would be to go with Marx O34 track and switches. It hasn't been made for 30 years so it's a lot harder to find, but it'll accomodate your prewar Lionel O27 and your bigger trains with a minimum O31 radius.

Another option--much easier, as Marx O34 is in fairly high demand--is to ease into your O27 switches. Then you can use Lionel 1121s, which are common and inexpensive.

Take a K-Line O72 tubular section, followed by an O54, followed by the switch, followed by another O54, then an O72. When you do that, a surprising number of O31-minimum trains can clear an O27 switch. Your biggest concern then would be hitting the switch machine cover, but you can remove the cover and test that, and cut down the cover if need be.

It would be nice if modern manufacturers would quit ignoring prewar trains, but if they don't want our money, that's OK I guess. We'll just keep improvising and buying used stuff that works.