I Want to Replace all my 0-27 with 0 Gauge Track. Help Me?

[conrailman]

Anyone  has a Conrail SD60 Engine? Can you run it on 0-27 Track? I am think about Buy that engine at my local trainshop it looks so great.

[Brutus]

Could I use O Gauge Track on the Curves track and keep my 0-27 Track for the Straight track, it mostly around Curved Track it doesn't go as fast as i would like to.

Yes.  O27 track is not as tall as O (O31) - I think it's like 2/16ths lower.  So, where the two meet, you will have to shim up the O27 to meet up with the O.  In addition, I read that you should use the O27 pins and squeeze the O track to fit that.  If you do it the other way, using the O pins, they are too fat for the O27 holes and will deform or break the track.  I would shim the whole length so the track is uniform, or at least say a full straight piece back from the joint, so that the train won't have to jump up 2/16ths at the join. 

Good thread, thanks for posting it!  I too have some engines I have to run on O and just got a box of used O track.  I'm going to have an outer mainline track of O and inner track of O27, which will join at a single spot.  I'll be able to run my bigger engines on the outside loop and my smaller stuff inside...

 

 

[lionelsoni]

K-Line made O27-profile O72-diameter track.  I don't know how hard it is to get now.  (I stocked up when K-Line failed.)

An alternative to switching to O31 is to use Marx O34 curves, which are just a little gentler than O31 but have the O27 profile and are completely compatible with it.  Of course, it is no longer made; but you can easily find it at train shows and on E-bay.  The Marx turnouts are very well made, also.  If you like O31 for its curvature, you'll love O34.

[conrailman]

Could I use O Gauge Track on the Curves track and keep my 0-27 Track for the Straight track, it mostly around Curved Track it doesn't go as fast as i would like to.

[Chris F]

O-27 and O gauge track have the same gauge, 1-1/4" between the outside rails.  They differ in that O gauge track is taller, uses thicker steel for the rails, and has a minimum curve diameter of about 31".  The minimum curve diameter of O-27 track is about 27". 

The minimum track size listed in catalogs refers to the minimum curve diameter, not O-27 vs. O gauge.  O-27 track also is available with curve diameters of 42" and 54".  O gauge track also is available with curve diameters of 42", 54", and 72".  Considering only the track, the only reason to convert to O gauge track would be if you needed 72" curves.

As Mickey noted, switches are an important consideration, since they have curves, too.  O-27 switches are available with 27" and 42" curves; O gauge switches are available with 31" and 72" curves.  Considering the switches, the reason to convert to O gauge track would be if you needed 54" or larger curves.

Trains should travel at the same speed on straight track.  However, they will slow down more when the curve diameter is smaller.  So the "O gauge track runs faster" concept would apply when using 27" diameter O-27 curves.  If the O-27 curve diameter were large than the O gauge diameter, the O-27 track would "run faster".

Going beyond traditional tubular track, you can find a wide variety of track styles with a wide variety of track diameters or even flexible track that can be bent to a desired track diameter.  Two manufacturers that Mickey didn't mention were AtlasO and Ross.  I used flexible GarGraves track with Ross switches for the mainlines and both Lionel O-31 and K-Line O-42 switches for the yards.  Mating pins are available to connect O-27 or O gauge track to GarGraves or Ross switches, so that would be a way to connect your existing track to switches with curve diameters other than 27" or 42" (if you don't mind the difference in appearance).

[poppyl]

As you look into different track manufacturers you might want to check the profiles and pin situation to see if you can mate the track with your O27.  That would allow you to still use your O27 for hidden areas, yards, and sidings on your layout thus reducing your expense in switching over.

Poppyl

[dwiemer]

Nothing wrong with O27.  More sizes are available regarding turns, but still with the lower profile of O27.  Many great layouts are made with the O27 track and that was before all the variety in turn radius.  If you are able to maintain the O27 you have and just purchase some different curves and swithces, you may save some more money for some of those newer trains you are eyeing.

Dennis

[Roger Bielen]

The track that you select should be dependent on the trains you intend to run.  The majority of engines available today will run on O-54 with many only requiring O-31.  If a larger diameter curve, so that you can run faster, is all you need you could try O-27-42".  That way you could use whatever straight O-27 you already have.

Once you decide on the diameter consider your overall aim, high-rail, traditional, etc. and select a style of track that suites your needs and pocketbook.

Good luck.

[otftch]

I have 40  new pieces of "o" guage  10" straight sections for sale if you're interested.My e-mail is [e-mail] are left over from a from a fellow club members layout.

                                                                                                  Ed

[conrailman]

No, I had my first trainset at age 7 and now i am 30 years old now, I just start to post on this Board different stuff I would like Know Now. I have 6 Trainsets But my layout is only 5 tracks 1  is still in the   box in my Basement.

[mickey4479]

You will find posts no doubt that will provide you with a lot of info.  From the number of posts on your profile, you are not new to model railroading.  I made a decision early on after looking at gargraves, lionel fast track, mth track, K-line track, and 0-27 and high rail lionel track that one of the most important issues was going to be the type of switches that those brands offered.  I looked at the operation, switch machines, the size of the switch machines, variety of turn out curves.  I also considered integrated road bed, flex track and the overall look of the track and what I was trying to achieve on my layout.  Many manufacturers have a great variety of track components.  There are fans of just about everything out on the market.  My humble advice is to go to a train store that has several lines of product to look at first hand.  Look at the track, switches, the road bed, if any, and determine what your general layout needs are going to be and the minimum curves for the locos you envision for your layout.  Then I would consult this forum with questions on particular pros and cons for those products you are considering.  Cost will vary also if you change from tubular to other track.  My choice for me was atlas O track.  I found it suited my needs.  I may not have been much help to you on your question, but I do hope you make a wise choice for your layout. 

[conrailman]

 I want to Replace all of my Layout with 0 Gauge Track Replace my 0-27 Gauge i have now. Is it worth 400 or 450  Dollars I am think about Spending on my Layout. I Heard that the 0 Gauge track runs faster than the 0-27 Gauge. They are Some Really Nice Engines I want to get from Lionel but most of said you should run them on 0 gauge track not 0-27 track.