Hi all
I used to have HO trains but they went away with my ex. It has been a few years but my current wife surprised me on Christmas day 08 with a “0” gauge set to start me on my way again. I have a few questions on the “0” gauge.
some 0 says 0-27 some 0-31 some 0-36 some just plain “0”. What I have is the 0 fast track. What is the difference? can anyone answer my question?
Welcome to the big trains!!! The bi-focals made me switch. [(-D]
From CTT web pages you can read: http://www.trains.com/ctt/default.aspx?c=a&id=544
O gauge
O scale is a 1:48 proportion, or 1/4 inch to the foot. O gauge track measures 1.25 inches between running rails. This is the most popular toy train gauge by far. The tinplate track is commonly found in two basic profiles, regular O gauge and O-27, and at least five different curvatures.
Regular O gauge Lionel track has a railhead height of 11/16 inch and a circle diameter of 31 inches. Wider radius O-72 is of the same profile, but with a 72 inch diameter.
Track of the second profile, known as O-27, is formed from a lighter-weight steel and has a railhead height of 7/16 inch. A circle has a 27 inch diameter. Two wider radius versions of this track are also available from Lionel, O-42 and O-54.
The two profiles were not designed to be mixed. They can be used together on the same layout, however, if the O-27 track is shimmed by 1/4 inch and the holes in the tubular rails are enlarged to accept regular O gauge pins.
Generally, most O gauge equipment, except for the largest locomotives and passenger cars, will operate satisfactorily on O-27 track. And, with the exception of Lionel four-wheel-drive steamers made before 1948 and some early Marx units, most O-27 trains will work on re
027 refers to track that forms a circle 27 inches in DIAMETER, not Radius, as you would likely be more familiar with in HO, it also refers to the equipment that can be operated on this sharp of a curve. 027 track has a shorter (Heightwise) rail profile than O-Gauge track ( 31 inch Diameter minimum curves) 027 track will also have brown ties, as opposed to O-Gauge (031) track that has Black ties.
027 track is offered in 027, 042, 054 and 072 curves, with 027 and 042 curve switches (turnouts to HO modelers)
O-Gauge track is offered in 031, 042, 054, 072 size curves, as well as larger one by other companies, such as Ross Custom Switches and Gargraves. With switches offered in 031, 042 and 072.
027 and O-Gauge track are the same Gauge (distance between the rails) as are Fastracks and MTH RealTrax. the main difference is the rail height and minimum curve, they would require adapter pins, or track sections to intermix the different types of track, but any 3-Rail train should run fine on any of them, provided you have a large enough curve to operate your particular equipment.
In modern 3-Rail O-Gauge, your couplers should work well together regardless of the manufacturer.
Lucky You to have a wife surprize you with some Lionel for Christmas, Does she have a Sister?
There will be many new things to learn, compared to what you have been familiar with in HO, I made the move (mostly still have HO, and am in an HO club still) a couple years ago, and I haven’t regretted it once, the size of the O-Gauge equipment can be very addicting.
If You have any more questions came back and ask some more, there is a wealth of knowledge here, as close as your keyboard, and a Very Friendly Bunch to boot.
Doug
On further note, larger O gauge equipment that can work with O-27 curves can interfere with the switch machines on O-27 switches. F-3’s and Trainmasters for example.
Your O-36 Fastrack includes roadbed where the others have tubular rail, few metal ties, and no roadbed (MTH realtrax is the exception). Fastrack is measured center rail to center rail where the others are measured to the outside of the ties (O-54 and O-72 tubular are an exception as they are measured center to center).
Fastrack (which came with your set) comes in 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84" diameters. Fastrack is expensive but It is good stuff and superior to tubular when it comes to operation over switches and crossings. Track planning with Fastrack can be frustrating because the fitter lengths are too limited and Fastrack is difficult to cut.
Since I only have a loop, I’ll let the Chief of Eagles chime in on Realtrax. He’s seasoned with it.[bow]
I hear that realtraxs has switches,I think The Chief may have some… How da work dare Chief[:-,]
Just kidding, inside joke with the chief. I can’t add much except most any of the old Lionel switches in either 0 or 027 work well or can easily be serviced (if they are OLD) so as to work well.
Lots of people seem to like the fastrack, it is availble in many curve sizes with switches for each. The one hit is that it can be noisydue to the hollow plastic roadbed construction.
Don’t forget Marx O34 track, in the O27 profile. It’s no longer made but not hard to find. It nicely fills the gap between O27 and O42 curves.