Tubular Track Recommendation

[magicman710]

What track is best, Lionel O gauge or 027?

[Brutus]

O27 = more action in smaller space, but limits you to locomotives that will take that turn.  OTOH, for instance, The Lionel O gauge The Polar Express train will run fine on it.  Trains slow down in turns.  Wider curves are available, most readily = 42 inch diameter O27 track and switches.  I like it, but I just bought some regular O gauge for an outer loop on my next layout to experiment with that.  You'll see a lot of response to this thread, I'd guess!

[Frank53]

"Tubular Track Recommendation"

Yes, I strongly recommend it.

[magicman710]

Well I did start the post about comparing the advantages of fastrack and tubular, and it got 87 replies and 1,490 views.

Good one Frank

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

"Tubular Track Recommendation"

Yes, I strongly recommend it.

The only way to go !!!!

[magicman710]

Frank, Chuck, funny, but  .....my question is what kind of track to use, Lionel O gauge or 027 track.

 

 

Grayson

[Frank53]

I recommend going with "O" as opposed to "o27".

In the places where I have had to use 31" curves, I have found that even short cars appear to cut the corner too close and look funky.

If I had the room, I would eliminate all 31" curves and go 42" minimum just for the aesthetics of how the cars look going around the curve.

However, regardless of your choice, you can be assured your general choice of tubular track -- the most venerable and time proven of all track systems -- is an excellent one which shall bring you untold good fortune, lifetime freedom from cooties, protects the ozone and reduces global warming.

[Anonymous]

quick question is the 031 or 042 compatible with 027 or would you have to switch . Im not totally understanding  the curves if them curves are compatible with 027 

[magicman710]

027 track some in 027, 042, and 054 curves, O comes in 031, 042, 054, and 072 curves.

O gauge track is compatible with 027, but i really dont understand your question.

[lionelsoni]

There are two rail styles in use, which may be described as O27- and O31-profile.  O31 diameter curves are available only in O31 profile.  O42 diameter is available in either.  O27-profile track is or has been made in O27, O34, O42, O54, and O72 diameters.

[Frank53]

Since o27 has a lower profile, and I believe thinner rails, you can't directly mix and match the two. I don't know if there is a "transition piece" or anything of the sort allowing to use both.

I haven't used o27, and for the reasons mentioned above, probably wouldn't. I like the lower profile, but I wouldn't use the 27" diameter.

 

[magicman710]

You can intermix 027 and o gauge track, but you should raise the first 2 ties on the 027 track piece to create a slight grade.

[lionelsoni]

The closest thing to a transition piece is a track pin with a different diameters at each end.  As far as I know, you have to buy a 313 bascule bridge to get a set of these.  However, it is not a big deal to crimp a pin of either diameter into the wrong-size rail.  Aside from that, the O27 track has to be shimmed to the same railhead height as the O31.

[Don Gibson]

Lionel 027 was 'Tinplate' - was multiple plug-together track sections to fit on a 5'X10' Ping Pong table.

It would be equivalent to an HO layout with 14" (!3.5") radius curves, on a 4'X8'.

027 WAS THE original 'RR' for trains around the Xmas tree.

'Tubular track was cheap to make, but primarily held 3 pronged metal points to pass electricity. LIONEL added an 072 line for older train lovers. MARKLIN (Germany) makes realistic 3 rail track in HO today.

Still, Old O gauge Lionel equipment brings good prices for pieces in good condition for collectors.  One of the best I personally encountered was MIZEL'S TRAINS in Colorado.

[lionelsoni]

I'll bet you could put O31 on a ping-pong table too.  But it would be a little hard to find a 5x10-foot ping-pong table anyway--they're 5x9.

[magicman710]

We are getting    !!!!!!!

[magicman710]

We are getting    !!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

i really dont belive we are, this is useful info i would think. because it would play a big part in decieding which youd want to use depending on the curves.....relax ...and absorb the great info posted here! have a good night

[Frank53]

We are getting    !!!!!!!

not sure what info is missing. Plenty of advice is already been offered. Is there some piece of information missing that is critical to the decision?

[BDT in Minnesota]

I'll bet you could put O31 on a ping-pong table too.  But it would be a little hard to find a 5x10-foot ping-pong table anyway--they're 5x9.

Bob,,,,this discussion could result in the makings of a new idea...Has anyone ever played ping-pong and run a Lionel train at the same time on the same table?????  This would definitely put the game on a Fast-track,,,

BDT

[phillyreading]

I prefer the O gauge track because the switches allow a longer freight or passenger car to go thru without hanging up compared to 027 track switches by Lionel, the 42 inch 027 switches have the same type of problem as their design is taken from the 027 switch.

027 switches by K-Line are designed differant and don't have long car issues at the switches.

O gauge tubular track comes in a variety of curve sizes from 031 up to 072 and cutting an 072 curve and adding a straight track or half straight track between curve sections allows you to go up to a 96 inch curve.  The older 022 switches from post war era work best.

Lee F.

 

[magicman710]

not sure what info is missing. Plenty of advice is already been offered. Is there some piece of information missing that is critical to the decision?

Which has more strength, durability, realism, wich does locomotives run best on, ect.

[joetrains]

Which has more strength, durability, realism, wich does locomotives run best on, ect.

  Neither is very realistic. As to the other points O gauge definatley.
 

 

[Dave Farquhar]

Strength/Durability: O31, due to heavier gauge metal used

Realism: O27, due to shorter rail, although neither is expecially realistic without adding extra ties and ballast

Best running: Depends on the radius of the curves and the switches used. There are plenty of people here who made smooth-running layouts with either kind. You should always use the widest curves you can.

Affordability: O27, since O27-profile O42 curves cost about the same as O31 curves, and O27 straights are cheap, cheap.

If you have a lot of one type of track I see no reason to scrap it and switch to the other.

[magicman710]

Does anybody think that using green carpet to simulate grass is unrealistic or unappealing?

[jjm]

Hey, magic, a bit off topic on the carpet question.  But my view is that if you like the way it looks, that's all that matters.  I am sure a purist would frown upon it, but all of us who like to cobble together pieces to make a nice running layout would use anything we can if we like the way it looks and works.  Enjoy.

[fwright]

Does anybody think that using green carpet to simulate grass is unrealistic or unappealing?

Not realistic at all.  But I do it anyway.  I use the indoor/outdoor stuff laid on the plywood, and the tubular track and accessories laid on top of that.  Drill holes for the wires and track screws right through the carpet.  I drill 1/4" holes through the 1x4 supports for the plywood as routing guides for the wires.  Cables for operating tracks, accessory, and switch controllers are lengthened as necessary.

My reasons for having a 3 rail layout are for the fun of watching toy trains run and playing with operating accessories.  For my realistic modeling urges, I do On30, HO, and HOn3.

just my experiences, yours may differ

Fred W

[magicman710]

I always thought that to, that sclaes such as HO or sometime N should be for the realistic appearance, and O for the joy of running trains.

 

I know, I am a bit off topic...... ....... but lets not get anymore!!!!!

[Anonymous]

(1) O gauge track beyond doubt. O27 is not intrinsically bad, but just never seemed very strong or solid to me.

(2) Re the carpet question, Scenic Express coarse burnt turf (or the color of your choice) is pretty cheap, fun to apply, and looks much more realistic.

[magicman710]

What about woodland senics ready grass mat? Looks nice to.