Lionel O/ O27 engines/ rolling stock ID

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jerrylovestrains



O gauge Lionel locomitves and cars usually had...

-dual motors (diesels)

-magnetraction

-coil couplers

-diecast shells

I don't think any of these generalizations hold much water, especially the last 3.

Magne-traction could be found on just about any engine. Some engines were actually redesigned to include it in later versions. Some models had it one year, and not the next, especially during the Korean War.

Coil couplers are more a function of space than of quality. Truck designs of the F-3 and GG-1 didn't have room for mechanical couplers. Coil couplers were actually standard on all of the earliest post war cars, except the scout style.

Diecast shells are common among steam engines. The entire 20 series of so called 027 engines were all diecast, and diesels, none at all. The GG-1 was not a diesel, it was an electric.

The biggest factor in determining if an engine could be run on 027 track, was it's ability to negotiate the sharper curve, and even more importantly, go through the curved leg of the 027 switch. The FM and I believe the GG-1, required O gauge track, because their bodies would hit the motor housing on switch. No steam engine, with the possible exception of the 773 scale hudson, had this problem.

Dual motors only ever came in 3 models, F-3, FM, and GG-1, but it wasn't the motors that made them O gauge only, it was the curves mentioned above.

Frank, I think what you have there with your 2026 is an early version, maybe 1948. What is more unusual than the 027 plate, is the pickup style. The design was a carryover from the 1666. I believe later versions had regular rollers.

Fordfan, for your purposes, any postwar engines will work if you are using O gauge track. If you use 027 track, there just those few limitations on select pieces. There are only a couple of cars that you may want to avoid, not because they won't work, but because they will seem very small compared to the rest of the cars.

I wouldn't rule out the plastic 027 passenger cars, they look nice behind the stubby Alcos, or a small steamer. If you go for the large aluminum passenger cars, then you will need to use a large steamer or F-3 to make them look good. I don't think the aluminum cars work with the 027 switches either. Their wheel base is too long.

[lionelsoni]

See
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23391
for a dissenting view on Doyle's book.

[Anonymous]

Usually the difference between 027 and 0 is that the O locomotives were usually the more deluxe versions of the 027 locomotives.

O gauge Lionel locomitves and cars usually had...

-dual motors (diesels)

-magnetraction

-coil couplers

-diecast shells

O27 Locomtives and cars usually did not have these features onboard. But Jim is right, only usually the numbers were different.

[pbjwilson]

fordfan,
Welcome! I too was an N scale modeler. My first trainset back in "68" was N scale. With the birth of my first son I went out and bought a Lionel for his first Christmas. Ever since I've been hooked on O gauge trains. My son , not so hooked, but he does enjoy the layouts I build. Good luck, collect what you enjoy, and have fun playing with your trans.


Some of my collection

[Frank53]

I noticed this recently on a 2026, whereas there is a designation on the nameplate on the underside. I do not know if this is a universal feature (I think not), but nonetheless, there is a distinguishing factor.



Likewise on David Doyle's book - it is a very well done rundown on post war trains. It has a lot more photos than the overhyped Greenberg books and is more of a ready reference - particularly for someone who is relatively new to teh hobby.

[Jumijo]

In many cases, forfan, the only difference between an O engine and an O27 engine was the part number it wore. A 675 was an O steamer. The exact same loco stamped 2025 was considered an O27. Same with the 682/2020, etc. Generally, O scale wore 3 digit numbers, O27 had 4 digit numbers.

"The Standard Catalog Of Lionel Trains: 1945-1969 (Standard Catalog of Trains)" by David Doyle is an incredible resource for identifying post war Lionel items of all kinds. It's filled with photographs of each item, often several photos showing each variation and many in color. A price guide and chronology of builds are included in the description of each item. There is also a set list with breakdowns of items included in each set in the back of the book. I have this book and can honestly say it has taught me plenty, especially as far as pricing, rarity, and condition. See the link below. The book is selling for $19.79 there, but can also be found at local book stores and chains.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0873498909/qid=1125053229/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-7991943-9552828?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Jim

[Anonymous]

Hi, y'all..
After many years of not playing with trains (I had Ns as a kid), now with my son showing interest in trains, I have rediscovered a long forgotten hobby. Being interested in the larger scales, and antiques/ collectibles in general, I have settled on postwar O scale Lionels.
I have a question about O/ O27 engines and rolling stock. I understand the scale and track differences, but what I can't find is way to readily identify engines and stock, by pictures and/or Lionel numbers, as being O or O27.
When I am shopping, esp. online, I would like to be able to look at a piece and know whether it's O or O27. I would like to stick with O and not mix O27 in there.
Is there a definitive way to tell without actually eyeballing the piece in person?
Sorry about the length of this post, thanks for your time and any advice/ suggestions you might be able to offer.