Are there any problems operating Lionel aluminum passenger cars (O gauge 16" cars) through Lionel 022 switches. Is there a lot of overhang or any problems. I have a lot of 022 switches in LN condition and didn’t know rather to go with the aluminum cars or settle for the shorter 027 cars. Thanks
The construction of the cars itself will allow them to go through, BUT the couplers could force the cars out of the rails since the coupler swing is gigantic. Also I’m not sure you’ll be able to clear the switchmachine. On 031 track the cars will hang over about 1,5 inches…
Before you buy them in nice shape (and paying top $$), just see if you can find a trasher on ebay for a couple of bucks (i lately got a really nice postwar observation off of ebay for 32 dollars, a price which you’ll be able to sell on if it doesn’t work) or maybe one of your friends has one to try with.
They are longer and wider then normal postwar equipment, so the big issue is clearance.
O-22 switches have no problem wit the 16" Alluminum cars. The “O” in O-22 has nothing to do with track radius. The curved sections of the O-22 is a match for O-31. The switch motor is horizontal and the indicator lantern is well to the rear of the motor. O-22’s also supprt reversal of the location of the motor, aka you can put the switch machine on the opposite side of the track if you wish.
I agree with Chuck, Lionel 16" aluminum passesenger cars work just fine with 022 switches. I’ve been running those cars with 022 switches for years and never had any problems.
Jim
just my personal opinion. I looked at the larger aluminium cars and figured they are just too big for O31. While they will navigate the curve, the overhang looks way too funky to me.
I have bveen slowly accummulating the shorter cars and think they just look a lot better going around the curves.
I am trying to use as much o42 as I can, I still have plenty of o31 - like this reversing loop shown below.
another post war set:
There are a few more sets of these I would like to pick up and I think they work great on o31 and o42.
Lionel has announced a new 042 “O” gauge tubular remote switch in the new catalog. What does anyone know about his switch. 042 seem like it might be the right diameter for the aluminum cars
That’s (O-42) the K-Line switch re-issued under Lionel’s name.
Chuck
Thanks for that info. I wasn’t aware of that. Was that switch any good or not. I assume it will be made the same. Did it have non derailing features.
One other question folk, on 022. How does the Lionel FM Trainmaster do on thsee 022 switches. Do they go thru ok. I assume they do with overhang since that was about the only switch Lionel made when they were making the FM I think or was it mainly designed for Super O. Thanks
I have used 022 post war switches with little problems, at least no problem with any engines or cars. The older 022’s need to be maintaned a bit more than the new 022 switches.
Lee F.
FM will navigate O-22 but the overhang is pretty noticeable. I don’t know about the “quality” of the K-Line switch, there weren’t too many K-Line dealers in my immdesiate area. I did use a Lionel O-27 style O-42 remote switch that I modified for constant voltage operation. No clearance issues for semi-scale rolling stock and all I had to do was shim it up to match the O style track. The K-Line switch uses standard O style tubular track, no shims required.
The K-Line 042 switch was very good and I don’t know of any complaints. I am sure glad Lionel has brought it out and will be getting two more of them.
Chuck
Was the 027 Lionel 042 switch a realiable switch?
DC Montana
Did the K Line 042 switch have non derailing features.