Hi,
Can anybody elighten me on the similarities/diferences of o27 by lionel and Marx? I have o27 track, found a good deal on a lot of marx o27 track, but I don’t know if it will connect to my lionel o27… any help would be apreciated.
They are completely interchangeable. FasTrack on the otherhand is not the same as any other type or make.
However, be aware that track with the O27 rail profile has been made in a number of different curvatures besides O27, specifically O34, O42, O54, and O72. These all do connect perfectly with regular O27 but of course are not the same as it.
The actual track is interchangeable. The switches fit as well except that the Marx switches would often catch the coupler shoes and rip them off. That was my experience in the 1950’s,
I’ve got Lionel & Marx track and switches, with no problems.
I have found it necessary to add a guard rail to Marx turnouts (the kind with a frog). I must not be the only one; because most of the ones I have bought already had these added.
As has been said already, Marx will mate up with Lionel 027 profile no problem. You won’t be able to use Lionel 027 track clips to hold the sections together when mixing though - the tie distance to the end of the rail is a little different between Marx & Lionel (that’s also a way to tell them apart easily). I’ve also found that the Marx track is a little flimsier than the Lionel - easier to twist and bend, easier to pinch and mangle.
That said, I prefer the Marx 034 curves for the wider radius over standard 027 radius, and the electric 034 switches - and the 027 switches that are the same plastic low-profile design as the 034 ones - much better IMHO than any Lionel 027 switch ever made, even though the Marx aren’t auto-non-derailing. Like Bob, I’ve found that you must add a guide rail to ensure reliable operation thru the turnout leg.
Marx O34 is a very useful and convenient track, and I have often used it on temporary layouts. I still have a hoard of it for future projects. One caution, though: Marx 90 degree crossings tend to catch Lionel roller pickups (the roller drops down into the trough inside the crossing rails and must climb a vertical wall out of it). Most locos are heavy enough to keep rolling with a heavy bump–though it may put the pickups at risk. In my experience, an SP style caboose with a light pickup roller will catapult into the air, however. It’s amusing the first time. . . .
I suspect one could build up a sort of ramp in the trough to overcome this drawback. Marx crossings are much better looking than any of the Lionel versions, swo the effort would be worth it, IMHO.
Another thing or two to watch for is the length of the straight sections; Lionel may be shorter than Marx, second is the track pins might be differant on Marx. If you were doing a fiquire 8 you would need to stay with one company’s straight track. For me if the length isn’t correct I just cut it to fit with tubular track.
Lee F.
Marx actually sold a longer straight section for O34 geometry–about 11 3/4" I think–which can be useful in reducing the number of track joints on long tangent stretches.
I believe Marx & Lionel normal straights and curves are the same length, it’s K-Line’s 027 track that is slightly longer (by close to a 1/4" maybe?), both straights and curves. As noted, the Marx 034 straights are considerably longer.
Big difference in track pins - Lionel pins are stronger and have room to lightly pinch the rail around them and keep in place. First thing I do when getting some Marx track ready is yank and toss the pins.
The Marx O34 straights are about 11 1/8, coordinated with the 15 3/4-inch radius of the O34 curves. Both straights and curves have 5 equally and more closely spaced ties.
I have a batch of the regular length straights that also have five ties.
Nothing new, but I too use Marx 034 curves on the “027” part of my layout. Ditto on the early marx switches catching the early Lionel sliding shoes… It will pi$$ you off the first time you forget and one gets jerked off as the car derails!