I have an 0-27 layout I am building. I am using some other radius but now I can’t recall what they are. Can someone help me. What track radius is available that is the same height and scale as 0-27.
Thanks
O27 12.5 inches
O34 15.75 inches (Marx)
O42 20.25 inches (K-Line)
O54 26.375 inches (K-Line)
O72 35.25 inches (K-Line)
Thanks guys, my memory isn’t what it used to be.
What is the status of K-Line track now? Is it still being made?
George
I suspect not. I anticipated a problem and bought what I thought would be a lifetime supply from dealers who still had it in stock after the takeover. (I’m 67; so a lifetime supply is not as much as you might imagine…
There might still be some out there or on Ebay. You can still get Marx O34 without much trouble; and it hasn’t been made for a very long time.
You can still get Lionel 42" and 54" track. There are a few online stores that still have some K-Line 72". I also recently picked some up at a show. Keep checking ebay you’ll see some there occasionally.
don
The radius numbers I gave for O42 and greater are valid only for K-Line. Lionel O42 and O54 may be somewhat different. In particular, I have some Lionel O27-profile O54 track with two slightly different radii.
Hey Bob, I was going through my box of extra track and found that some have brown ties and some have black. I remember someone telling me that they don’t mix, but they look the same. Can I use them together?
I don’t know why not if they’re all the same profile.
I’ve got some straight sections of O27 with both brown and black ties. They interchange.
Can’t comment on the curves.
I’m not sure what you mean by profile, but I just laid out some of the pieces and except for the difference in pins, they seem to fit. I can’t remember exactly what the guy at the LHS said, but I think it was something about the height. I don’t know because I just don’t see it, maybe he just wanted to sell me the brown tie for some reason.
The good news is that now I’ve pulled out all the small radius curves and there isn’t much left except straight pieces. I was looking for an excuse to buy new track. [swg]
By profile I mean the size and shape of the rails and ties, particularly as viewed from the end. It is the distinction between O27 and O31 (other than nominal diameter). O31 ties, rails, and track pins are all larger, even though the gauge is the same.
The black ties on the Lionel track is 0-31 style. The brown ties are 0-27, and yes they will work but need abut 1/8 th inch under the brown tie to be level.
laz57
One thing more the pins on the black ties or 0-31 are a little bigger, as in thicher, then the brown tie 0-27.
laz57
O27 track has been made in both colors.
BOB,
REALLY? I only know of the brown for 0-27 and black for 0-31.
laz57
Here is a quote from HOBBIES INC.
Lionel 0-27 Track
Lionel track is available in three basic types. 0-27, O and Fastrack. Fastrack has gray roadbed attached to the track, which makes it perfect for temporary layouts or around the Christmas tree.
The basic difference between O and 0-27 track is the rail height. As a basic rule most any O or 0-27 train will run on any track, The exception being the large scale locomotives. Those require O gauge track and a large radius.
If you are not sure what type of track you have look at the metal tie that holds the three rails together. A brown color indicates that it is 0-27, if it is black in color it is O Gauge. If you are not sure what radius curve you require simply assemble half of a circle, measure it at it’s furthest points (on the outside rail). If it is 27 inches across you require 027 curve, if it is 36 inches you require 036 curve ETC.
laz57
The overall height of the rail from top to bottom on O27 is slightly shorter than O gage. O gage connecting pins are also larger in diameter than O27 connecting pins.
Yes, Bob has it, though there were also silvery-gray ties on some O27 track.
Black for pre-war and post-war up to about 1959, then silvery-gray though the end of post-war production. Modern-era O27 (1970-on) has the brown ties with turned-up edges, as does K-line O27. Marx track (very similar but not quite identical to Lionel O27) also had black ties.
The Hobbies, Inc. description is only correct for current production.
Martin