O27 engines.....

[drums1427]

What are some of the steam & diesel engines out there that I could look at to run on O27? And, if one doesn't say O27, is there a way to determine if it will run on O27? What are the best switches to use to ensure clearance of all engines running?

Thanks for any help with answers to these questions - I'm still new to this.

[thor]

Well in the Lionel catalog they say what radius each loco will run around, so thats a start! I imagine the other guys do too, I'm sure there's a better way but thats all I know as I'm new at this too! My local model shop gave me a copy of the latest Lionel and MTH catalogs which was very nice and a pleasant surprise. Crafty too because I started drooling and planning....

BTW one thing I do know is that locos will often negotiate tighter curves than they're supposed to, the problem lies with switches when the overhang can clobber something.

[cnw1995]

Welcome drums. There are more than you think there are out there - usually short wheel-based; sometimes they are referred to as 'traditional-sized' like with the GG-1. But like thor noted, it'll mention the recommended curves on the box or in the description you should find online. And just to be sure, it isn't the track gauge that's different - it's the short curves. Many engines from train sets with tubular rather than Fasttrack will work on 027 curves. I use Lionel manual 027 switches - as well as a few pre-war Lionel 'regular' O switches - and everything works just fine.

[drums1427]

Hey Doug. I noticed in you response the term "pre-war". I've seen that & "post war" used and still don't know what that refers to. How would you know if something is "post" or "pre" war? I do understand that the curves are what the problem would be. What is the biggest engine possible for O27 curves, 2-8-4, 4-8-4, ect...?

[spankybird]

The only way to be sure is to try it on your layout. I have found the switches to be the bigest problem. Using the K-line switches allows me to run many engines that was stated 031.



My Alleghany and Challanger are my two largest [8D]




click on the pics to enlarge them

tom

[1688torpedo]

Hello Drums! A Lionel Berkshire can run on O27 Track & go around the curves as well.MTH has made a Big Boy & Allegheny Engines for their Railking series that can run on O27 as well. Prewar refers to Trains made before 1942 & Postwar means 1945-1969. Modern Era is 1970 to the present. Let us know what engines you want to get & we'll let you know what Track & Switches they're compatible with. Take care.

[cnw1995]

- I'm glad Tom chimed in here as he successfully runs very large engines on 027 - he has beautiful trackwork as you can see - unlike myself. So you see, it can vary. I follow what the manufacturers say...somewhere online there is a list of these I've referenced. I'll try to find the link.
- The war referenced in the terms Pre-war and Post-war is World War 2. I have two switches that were manufactured by Lionel in the 1930s. The time of great popularity for Lionel was the post-war era - say 1946 through the end of the 1950s - although some would lengthen this 'golden age' into the 60s too.

[Dr. John]

Any of the steam or diesel engines found in the starter sets of Lionel, MTH or K-Line will run fine on O-27. Most of the locomotives offered by Williams will run on O-27 (with the exception of their scale offerings, and even these might work). Shorter steam engines and diesel switchers of just about any brand will run. For example, my K-Line A5 0-4-0 scale switcher states it runs on O-31, but I've had no problems on O-27.

Ironically, one of the shortest engines made, the RMT Beep, had some problems with O-27 with their early runs because of limited coupler swing. The current crop of Beeps have had this problem corrected.

[waltrapp]

I have yet to figure out a global 'rule'. It does get frustrating when a manufacturer won't state on the box that the engine can handle 27" curves, most likely because that manufacturer either doesn't make 27" curves (hello MTH) or possibly because they want to pu***heir new track system (hello Lionel). As others have done, I have emailed MTH and Lionel and asked why they don't test on 27" curves, and to be honest, I'm left witht he impression that they really don't much care about the low-end market players like me.

I've also asked CTT and OGR why they don't test on 27" curves in their reviews and I don't buy their answers either. Very lame in my estimation. Especially since one of the magazines uses a layout that HAS 27" curves so they KNOW the engine handles it.

I mentioned this in another thread: a friend brought his MTH Hiawatha to run on my layout because he wanted to see it stretch it's legs. We tried it first on my 100' mainline which, unfortunately, has a few 27" curves. No go.

Then we moved it to my PW set of track, 31" curves, and it still derailed going around the curves. The draw bar only had one hole and when the engine went around a curve the drawbar stuck out too far and the tender derailed. And this is the Railking version not the Premier version!!!

How Spanky gets a Challenger and an Allegheny to handle 27" curves is something that I'd be interested in hearing about.

I, too, have switched to the low profile K-Line 27" switches and that has opened up more options.

- walt

[Anonymous]

Ive really haven`t had a problem running stuff, I think Railking, and k-line your pretty safe as well as lionel except for the Big sngines that take large curves.Willams ran also,but by then I switched over to ross switches and gar-grave track.[2c]

[jimhaleyscomet]

One of the key to running 027 engines and remote switches is to use the new k-line remote switches. They are VERY low profile.

The other key is to avoid S curves and if possible use a short straight before switches.

Jim H