O and O27 track question

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I am new to this model railroad stuff, just got one for Christmas, and was wondering what is the difference between O and O27 track? I have an O scale train will it run on O27 track? Why is O27 selling so much cheaper on ebay?

[Anonymous]

Lets see .I believe the difference is in the hieght of the rail like code 83 and 100 in HO.I think O27 is the original lionel tube track and O is like the atlas O track. But you guys out there can correct me if Im wrong.[banghead] [oops]

[tgovebaker]

The O track is slightly higher, and has a wide radius. O-27 produces a diameter of 27", measured center rail to center rail. Standard O gauge track produces a diameter of 31". O gauge track is also available now in much larger diameters, starting with 42" and continuing up to 80" or thereabouts.

O-27 gauge trains will operate fine on any of these track sizes. However, some of the larger O gauge trains, particularly modern diesels or larger freight cars (like the Atlas scale hy-cube car), will not be able to negotiate the tight 27" (or even 31") curves. Thus, when buying rolling stock or locomotives, make sure that your curves will accomodate the new stuff.

Your final question about why O-27 track is so much cheaper really comes down to demand. Most starter sets come with it, but when people start acquiring bigger rolling stock or locomotives, they need to get wider diameter track.

[tgovebaker]

One more thing: the Classic Toy Trains forum on this site is devoted to O, O-27 and other larger trains, so those folks will have a lot of useful information to you.

Enjoy your train! A lot of started out with a Lionel set under the Christmas tree...