0 or 027 ?

[Anonymous]

I dont know a thing about trains, the neighbor gave my daugter a early 1970s train set lionell 666 engine. I need to buy more track, I know its o gauge, but what is the diffrence between 0 and 027 ? also he said you put oil in the smoker, but is it supposed to be special liquid ? Thanks RICK

[Anonymous]

Rick,
Lionel equipment is O27. O27 stands for what is known as tinplate, or three rail. O is a scale model railroad gauge. Both are the same size basically. However O scale runs on two rails. So if you buy three rail track, you will be getting the right track. The smoke oil is a special oil which you should be able to buy at a hobby shop. I don't know if there is a generic name for this oil. I have to admitt, I don't know what the 27 stands for in O27.

In a nutsheel, you have it here. However, there is probably much more to it than I know, since I model HO scale and have a limited knowledge of O scale.

[IRONROOSTER]

Yes there is a special liquid for smoke, see your hobby store. There is O gauge track with two rails and three rails. The three rail track comes in O27 and O31, the main difference is in the rail height. The 27 and 31 refer to the smallest diameter circle of track - 27 or 31 inches. Larger diameters are available in both sizes. Take a piece of your track with you when you go to your hobby shop to make sure you get matching track.
Enjoy
Paul

[Eriediamond]

Shophog, you might get better help by post this on the Classic Toy Train forum as they are tin plate experts there. The main difference is the track. 027 is O guage track with a 27 inch radius and low profile ties. If your track ties are open on the ends it is O, if the ties are thin and closed on the ends it is 027. Hope this helps, Ken

[Eriediamond]

Shophog, Lionel, does not mean that your track is 027. Lionel produced both. Early Lionel used smoke pellets and later went to the smoke fluid (oil). If in doubt, take a section of your track to your hobby shop to make sure you are purchasing the right track. Like I said earlier the basic difference is the profile or tie height. Some Lionel won't operate on 027.

[Anonymous]

One other thing to mention is that your train would be made by Marx, not Lionel. All Marx trains were O27. Lionel never made a 666 engine, but Marx made a smoking cast iron 666 2-4-2.