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The answer here depends largely on what types and kinds of MTH trains you are referring to. And also what style of 027 track you'll be using. The Railking line has mostly gone scale, save for some of the rolling stock. Some of the older Railking locos were a little smaller such as the shorter F-3, which is now part of the Rugged Rails line.
It's not only the length of a car or loco that can cause trouble, but the width also. The issue is clearing the housing of the common Lionel 027 Switch made since 1970 - the type still in production today. Longer and wider cars will hit the switch box housing. You can modify the housing by cutting off a corner so that the trains will clear.
But you can also use the 042 switch in 027 which may allow for more clearance. I believe these are the switches Spankybird uses. There are also the later produced K-Line 027 switches which had virtually no switch box. But these switches have become hard to find as they were developed late by K-Line and thus not produced in quantities the other K-Line switches were... which also had LARGE switch box housing that make Lionel's look good!!
There's also a visual issue since most MTH trains (even the smaller ones) are still longer, wider and taller than many typical traditionally sized and 027-sized trains. MTH made a big deal of this in the early days in their advertising, that they were not make sub-sized trains like the SP type Lionel caboose, which happens to look right at home on an 027 layout. Nearly all of the MTH Rugged Rails trains should also give you no trouble and look good on a 027 layout, since they are more traditionally sized.
MTH also did not test a good many of their train items for 027 switch clearance, since MTH does not make 027 track. There are items that will make the tight 027 curve, but will hit the switches. Some just miss... I know the Railking Automatic Tray Dump Car just barely clears the housing of 027 switches. As does the older Railking PS-2 hopper.
You might want to find a friend with an 027 layout, or a train show and take over some questionalble items and test them for clearance on the switches. Another option is to look for older postwar Lionel manual 027 switches which have much smaller switch box housing, or just an arrow indicator. Or to use Gargraves switches with 027 track, since they match in rail height - though these will be more costly than most 027 switches.
You last option is to just run smaller trains (whatever the make) that clear the switches and look good on smaller 027 layouts. That's what I do. I have very very little MTH stuff for this reason. Personally, I think the K-Line S-2 switcher is the best locomotive made in the past 20 years for value price, size, performance, durability, trouble-free operation, AND looks utterly perfect on an 027 layout.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
Hum, I think my ears are burning, might somebody be talking about me?
Yep, we use 027 track with the K-line low profile switches. As it has been pointed out, the real problem is the switch machine motor.
And of course we do run some of the bigger engines, if you don't mind the overhang
I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com
You might think about using RCS switches with your 027 wide radius track. They are really well made. Also, you might want to use cork road bed and ballast along with extra ties made by a company called Three R Plastics. You may also want to use Floquill paint markers to weather your 027 track. Let us know how your project turns out.
George
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
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