Can't decide whether to build a layout in O27 or O31.....i plan on running only post-war equipment...opinions please!!! thanks.....
Yes. Although both types of track are much too large, O27 is not as much too-large as O31. If you ballast your track, the exposed part of the O31 ties will be about 9/16 inch wide, and the ends will be open. The O27 ties are only 1/2 inch wide, with closed ends. I find that the O27 ties can be made less obtrusive by filling in-between them with 3/8-inch "popsicle" sticks. The ties are still too wide (3/16 inch is scale) and the rails too high (about 1 foot); but I think it looks better than O31.
O31 is more robust when used on the floor; but, when the track is fastened down to a table, this advantage goes away.
I like the challenge that the sharper curves present; but I keep one main line at O34 so as to be able to run stuff that I can't or don't want to modify. O34, O42, O54, and O72 are all options that give you the looks of O27 without the short radius.
Bob Nelson
1. 027 tubular track is less expensive that 031 "O" gauge track.
2. The lower profile of 027 looks a little more to scale than O.
3. You can fit a more complicated track layout in a tighter space using 027.
4. The 027 postwar switches (either manual or remote) are more compact than O gauge postwar switches.
My 5' x 9' layout is all Lionel postwar 027.
Here is a video of the layout with 4 short trains and 1 trolley running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI5SrbCNeKM
Hi Dave,
Thank you for sharing this video again. As if there isn't enought play and operating value carefully engineered into the 9' x 5' portion of your layout, the L shaped expansion adds even more. Most impressive!
You had a separate video on the extension but I can't find it.
Thanks!
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
When it comes to tubular track I like O-27 personally. Search for my hand laid O-27 thread. Your patience and time can make it look quite nice. Although I don't show it in my thread, after painting the rails and ballasting, the track really looks much smaller than it does as it comes. It's also cheap and plentiful and if you are creative you can bend it to any radius you need. I'm still working on custom built turnout for O-27.
That's the reason I like FasTrack. It's about as realistic as you can expect 3-rail track to be, and you get nice wide O36 curves -- or even wider, if you've got the room.
I only run postwar equipment, just like you. And it's always happy on the FasTrack. But some of my prewar Lionel doesn't like the FasTrack switches, so I'll always keep some 027 handy for the prewar locomotives.
TaranwandererNice video! Question: are you making the AA MP diesels slow down manually as they come in front of the control panel, or do you have some sort of mechanism doing it? I take it the AA set is faster than the Great Lakes Passenger set, and you have to keep slowing it down to keep it from catching up to the GL set. Just curious.
Since I am running 2 trains on each loop I am using a simple automatic circuit that momentarily stops the faster train if it gets too close to the slower train.
I think the O-31 track predates the O-27 track by several years.
I run O-31 and 022 switches. I think the 022 switches are first class as the trains seem to like them better than the O-27 switches. I also like the constant voltage plug for the 022 switches, although Bob Nelson has explained how to modify the O-27 switches with a constant voltage plug.
O-31 track and 022 switches have become very cheap. O-27 track and switches are even cheaper. I like to buy things cheap and make them work again. A week ago, I bought 2 boxes of track and switches (mostly O-27 track and O-31 switches), 8 cars including a whistle tender with a broken shell, and 3 transformers (two 1034s and one Type A) for $60. I will use the O-27 track, the cars and the transformers to make up train sets for some young boys. The transformers needed new power cords and a little lube, the cars are somewhat rusty, and the track may need a little work, but it's all fun.
Bruce Baker
RockIsland52 Hi Dave, You had a separate video on the extension but I can't find it.
Here's the video on my 2' x 5' extention that houses my homemade transfer table with sidings that can hold 10 engines. The October 2009 issue of CTT magazine has a step by step article on how I made the transfer table.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=est5JftaW4I
Here is the basic circuit for operating 2 trains on 1 track. Instead of the pressure switch I used an insulated outside rail that would close a relay.
There's no need to adapt O27 to another track type. Just plug in O34 curves, or whatever larger radius you like.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
TaranwandererDavid: so in your application, the 153 pressure contactor (or your relay,) installed several sections in front of your isolated (from center rail power) block actually supplies power to your block when the "ahead" train is off it, but cuts power to the block when the "ahead" train is on it? I've done the opposite: used one train to supply power to a block (isolated with outer rail fiber pins,) but I've never used it to cut power to a block. Is my understanding right?
Yes, you are correct.
The basic advantage of running 027 for me is size, because you can run a smaller track layout, and the weight is less than O gauge tubular like Lionel's 031. Those are a couple of reasons why I run 027 with Gargraves switches on my upper level.
You can use Lionel's CTC power lock-on for either 027 or O gauge track. 027 track has track clips to keep it together that go under the track just like O gauge tracks, but have a differant shape, also 027 track clips(if you use them) need to be installed before setting the track in place or as you go. Not sure but there may be some 027 track made by Ives Trains as well, at least some of the track clips I bought for 027 has Ives stamped on them.
Both Lionel and K-Line made 027 track, curves sizes 27 & 42 inch. Marx version of 027 track has 34 inch curves if I am correct, also the Marx track pins might be differant than Lionel.
Lee F.
Lionel got their O27 track when they (and American Flyer) acquired Ives around 1930. That's why they called their older O-gauge track, which nowadays gets called "O31" or "O30", simply "O" and gave a new name to O27. They continued manufacturing the O27 track clips with the Ives name to protect the trademark.
Marx made both O27 and O34. Marx track pins are different, but the same diameter as and completely compatible with Lionel O27 track. K-Line made O27, O42, O54, and O72 in O27 profile.
lionelsoni Marx made both O27 and O34. Marx track pins are different, but the same diameter as and completely compatible with Lionel O27 track.
Marx made both O27 and O34. Marx track pins are different, but the same diameter as and completely compatible with Lionel O27 track.
Here's some Marx o34 and Lionel o27 track used together:
J White
cabooseboyCan't decide whether to build a layout in O27 or O31.....i plan on running only post-war equipment...opinions please!!! thanks.....
Stock 031 track will handle all postwar equipment. Stock postwar 027 track won't handle big engines like F3s, Trainmasters, and Berkshires.
O27 (12.5-inch radius) track, including the turnouts, will handle vertical-motor F3s. The truck center bearings are closer together than on the horizontal-motor models.
A number of O31-only pieces can be modified, some surprisingly easily, to get through O27 turnouts. I run a Train Master. I don't have a Berkshire; but I do run a 773 Hudson and a Rail King Big Boy on O27.
I run my 726 Berk using 0-27 track and switches with no problem.
When I was running 027, I found that my 2343's would go through the 027 switch made prior to the non-derailing model 1122's. The housing was all at on end of the switch, before the loco body started to swing inside of the turn, as it does further throught the curve. The 1122's had a housing which ran a greater dimension into the turn, and would not provide clearance; I believe the motor was a different mechanism and mounted with its major axis 90 dgrees to the major axis of the motor direction used in the switch model which preceded it and did not have the non derailing feature (I mention that feature purely to aid in identification of the switch).
A thought which occurs to me now is that I am not sure what would have happened if I had 2 rights or 2 lefts installed so that a loco might go through the curved branches of both; there the housing of the first might not cause trouble but the housing of the second might; I never had that allignment, and I now use Ross or Gargraves where this is not a concern
My only opinion is if you don't own any track yet and are going to buy ... why limit yourself to such small curves ? unless you are etremely cramped for space .
Hi, If you look around at meets sometimes you can find Lionel O27 track (curves) that have an 072 diameter circle when connected together (they have the brown ties also). I have purchased them new also at a Hobby Shop. (There was a large box of them under a shelf way in the back). I've also used Marx track which has a 031 diameter. I use it for the outside and 027 for the inside of a double track set-up. I like it because it is not so high, only problem is a lack of wide diameter switches in O27.
Good Luck,
Top BIX
O27-profile track comes in nominal diameters of 27, 34, 42, 54, and 72. Turnouts are available in 27, 34, and 42 diameters.
Where would one find 027 profile track in 72?
It was made by K-Line. I doubt that Lionel continued it. You may find old stock in stores or used track for sale on Ebay. The K-Line number for a box of 16 pieces (a complete circle) is K-0226. It looks like these folks might have some: http://www.westerndepot.com/product_info.php/products_id/4803
Depends on whether you mean O27 curves, or O27 type track. As noted, O27 track has smaller rail and ties and is easier to make look "realistic". You can get O27 type track in various curves, up to O72.
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