My first post acoup;le of weeks back was on track options. Thanks everyone for you input. I think I am leaning towards 027 since my two trains are MPC era sets. I do have an MTH GG1 as well which cannot go below 031. However I like the lower profile of 027.
Reviewing catalogs and websites, I see there 027 curve track is also available in 042 and 054 radii (Lionel #'s 5049 and 5113). Anyone have any experience with these and the 027 remote swithces that come in 042 (Lionel #'s 5167 and 5168)?
I am planning a "U" shaped layout: 2 4'x6' tables connected by a 2'x8' table. Will the 4' width of the tables be able to accomodate 042? I never used anything more than 031 in the past on 4' x 8' plywood sheets.
Thanks in advance.
Consider Marx O34, which will handle your GG1 with room to spare, and has the same profile as O27. It hasn't been made for many years; but it's not hard to find. The Marx turnouts are excellent, but do need to have a short guard rail installed opposite the frog, which was designed for the fat Marx drivers.
An O42 circle has a diameter to the ends of the ties of about 42 inches; so it will fit on a 4-foot-wide table with 6 inches to spare, 3 on each side. I have examples of Lionel O42 with three slightly different curvatures; so don't expect all O42 to be exactly the same.
Bob Nelson
I currently have one main line on the layout that is 027 tubular track with 054 curves. I stopped using the Lionel 042 switches years ago, they did not play well with the 18 volts TMCC was putting out.
Bill T.
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