I use O27 profile track. It works well for me as I primarily collect and run vintage Marx and Lionel. My layout is L shaped 8 x 13 only 48" wide so I avoid large locomotives and cars.
I like O-27 for me with limited space is that it makes a tighter curve and lets you have more tack in tight space. I also would like to point out the switches are far cheeper. So if your on a limited budget it is the way to go. Now go have fun with it!
I also am a big fan of the O27 track. I find the smaller profile to look better and the trains look more realistic on the smaller rails. And as you noted since it was made in larger Radii All the larger locomotives run just fine. Some treat the smaller rails as though they are a completely different Gauge which they aren't. But if you scale the rail height on the clunky O track it comes to 30inches in the real world. Too big unless you're running a monorail. The O27 is around 18" which although still a big tall is much closer to scale than the other. I had the fortune to get some of the larger curves while it was still being made and Both LIonel and K line made switches with 42" curves. Just my preference and I am glad you like it too. Too many people are dismissive of the O27 track and that is a shame. Always enjoy your videos, very informative.
Thank you for this video! I'm going to be building an O-scale Polar Express layout this next week at my neighborhood's community building for our neighborhood kids to come see on weekends until Christmas. Lots of good information on cutting and mounting the track!
Great info again Mike.! I started out with O27 in the mid 90s but did make the switch to Fastrack in the early 2000s. Mainly because I was running trains on the floor and did'nt want them to pick up carpet hair. I have to say O27 is a really fun track to use. We had one a heck of a cool L shape layout on two 4x8 sheets of plywood back in the 90s. I'm saving my old O27 track and switches so I can maybe bring back that old layout some day? No video then. For now Fastrack is the way to go for me. Really enjoy your videos glad you are back.! 👍
Thanks for the comments. I have a small amount of MTH Realtrax that I use for temporary floor/Christmas Tree layouts. Like FasTrack, it keeps the carpet fibers (or artificial snow blanket) out of the gears.
O-27 is a joy to work with. I'm planning on building a small 0-27 layout under my high rail style layout. Your videos will be indispensable to that project. Thank you!
I purchased a case of postwar O gauge straight, and a case of curves (100 count each) from Stout Auctions 15 years ago. This track is new, unused, and still wire-banded. It is the harder to find gray anodized rail type, built by Lionel during the Korean war. I am finally building my postwar-era style layout, using this track of course.
Just in case some folks aren't aware- back in the day, Marx made some O27 profile track with a 34" radius. 42" radius is also common. I am using all three on my layout, with Marx 27" radius turnouts. I don't run any monster size locomotives, so this all works out okay for me.
Mike, you are the perfect guy to ask this question, because of your expertise in postwar Lionel track. What is the ideal placement of lockons on a tubular track layout - given that the track is brand new postwar, never used, and given appropriate gauge wire, etc. One lockon every four feet, six feet, eight feet? We are talking a layout with approximately 70 linear feet of mainline track. Power supplied by several postwar ZWs. Some say a lockon immediately before or after every switch? Appreciate your help Mike, as I finally begin my new postwar layout.
Thanks! You have landed on one of the topics of my next video! My rule of thumb is one set of feeders every 5 track sections. I also attach the ground terminal of every remote turnout to my common bus wire to ensure good ground contact throughout the turnout. If the turnouts use track power instead of transformer power, extra feeders next to the turnouts are a good idea to combat voltage loss when the train activates the nonderail feature. Enjoy your layout!
I wish they still made 027 track. It was made in different radii as you mentioned and it did not stand up as tall as 0 track. That is one reason I miss Kline. They made a lot of different tubular track.
Interesting. Did you grind the cutting edge off those nippers, or were they full to begin with? For what it's worth, you can get nylon or plastic rod from online metals or other suppliers in whatever diameter you want very cheaply. That's a whole lot easier than trying to make your own pins with a 3D printer.
The nippers are as-is from Harbor Freight. Thanks for the tip regarding materials, but when I only need 4 or 5 pins for a project I can print them in less time and effort than ordering. But it is an option - thanks!
I’d give my left arm if someone started making 0 to 027 track mating pins again. I sold all of my Fastrak about 5 years ago and I have a lot of 027 track plus starting buying Menards O gauge track.
The workaround is to use O27 pins and jumper wires as required for power continuity. Shim the O27 track to match the height of the O. Thanks for watching!
No one is currently manufacturing traditional tubular O or O27 turnouts. If you don't want FasTrack, you can try GarGraves or Ross Custom turnouts and use shims and transitions to your existing track. Or try to find good used O72 turnouts at a show, Trainz, eBay, etc.
What?!? Lionel doesn't make tubular track any longer? What genius decided that was a good idea? Pfft. Glad I bought boxes and boxes of both O and O27 for cheap at train shows over the years. Also a fairly good hoarde of mpc era remote switches off ebay in the early 2000's Even in hobby shops the $1 a section track was a no brainer over Fastrack for $5 a section. Glad to have 50+ yrs with Lionel. I'd hate to be just starting out.
Phase 1 of the layout is roughly 5 x 12. The track plan of this section is a simple oval with twin diagonals across the center. Each of these diagonals creates a reverse loop. I can run outside only, "figure 8" or oval to loop in either direction.
I use O27 profile track. It works well for me as I primarily collect and run vintage Marx and Lionel. My layout is L shaped 8 x 13 only 48" wide so I avoid large locomotives and cars.
I like O-27 for me with limited space is that it makes a tighter curve and lets you have more tack in tight space. I also would like to point out the switches are far cheeper. So if your on a limited budget it is the way to go. Now go have fun with it!
I also am a big fan of the O27 track. I find the smaller profile to look better and the trains look more realistic on the smaller rails. And as you noted since it was made in larger Radii All the larger locomotives run just fine. Some treat the smaller rails as though they are a completely different Gauge which they aren't. But if you scale the rail height on the clunky O track it comes to 30inches in the real world. Too big unless you're running a monorail. The O27 is around 18" which although still a big tall is much closer to scale than the other. I had the fortune to get some of the larger curves while it was still being made and Both LIonel and K line made switches with 42" curves. Just my preference and I am glad you like it too. Too many people are dismissive of the O27 track and that is a shame. Always enjoy your videos, very informative.
Thanks! I love O27 track.
Thank you for this video! I'm going to be building an O-scale Polar Express layout this next week at my neighborhood's community building for our neighborhood kids to come see on weekends until Christmas. Lots of good information on cutting and mounting the track!
Happy to help! Good luck with your project!
Great info again Mike.! I started out with O27 in the mid 90s but did make the switch to Fastrack in the early 2000s. Mainly because I was running trains on the floor and did'nt want them to pick up carpet hair. I have to say O27 is a really fun track to use. We had one a heck of a cool L shape layout on two 4x8 sheets of plywood back in the 90s. I'm saving my old O27 track and switches so I can maybe bring back that old layout some day? No video then. For now Fastrack is the way to go for me. Really enjoy your videos glad you are back.! 👍
Thanks for the comments. I have a small amount of MTH Realtrax that I use for temporary floor/Christmas Tree layouts. Like FasTrack, it keeps the carpet fibers (or artificial snow blanket) out of the gears.
O-27 is a joy to work with. I'm planning on building a small 0-27 layout under my high rail style layout. Your videos will be indispensable to that project. Thank you!
Happy to be of assistance!
Great, thanks Mike!
You're welcome!
Mike, I cut tube track with my band saw and a fine. Tooth. Metal. Cutting blade.
Great tip. I wish I had a band saw!
I purchased a case of postwar O gauge straight, and a case of curves (100 count each) from Stout Auctions 15 years ago. This track is new, unused, and still wire-banded. It is the harder to find gray anodized rail type, built by Lionel during the Korean war. I am finally building my postwar-era style layout, using this track of course.
Excellent! I have a few pieces like that. Most of mine is MPC era.
Great video.Mike. Thx
Glad you enjoyed it
Just in case some folks aren't aware- back in the day, Marx made some O27 profile track with a 34" radius. 42" radius is also common. I am using all three on my layout, with Marx 27" radius turnouts. I don't run any monster size locomotives, so this all works out okay for me.
Yes, I use O34 on my layout as well. Thanks for watching!
thanks for the tips! wow
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great job
Thanks!
So if i need a left turn, just swap pins from one end to the other. Sweet!
Yes.
Mike, you are the perfect guy to ask this question, because of your expertise in postwar Lionel track. What is the ideal placement of lockons on a tubular track layout - given that the track is brand new postwar, never used, and given appropriate gauge wire, etc. One lockon every four feet, six feet, eight feet? We are talking a layout with approximately 70 linear feet of mainline track. Power supplied by several postwar ZWs. Some say a lockon immediately before or after every switch? Appreciate your help Mike, as I finally begin my new postwar layout.
Thanks! You have landed on one of the topics of my next video! My rule of thumb is one set of feeders every 5 track sections. I also attach the ground terminal of every remote turnout to my common bus wire to ensure good ground contact throughout the turnout. If the turnouts use track power instead of transformer power, extra feeders next to the turnouts are a good idea to combat voltage loss when the train activates the nonderail feature. Enjoy your layout!
I wish they still made 027 track. It was made in different radii as you mentioned and it did not stand up as tall as 0 track. That is one reason I miss Kline. They made a lot of different tubular track.
You can still find it on the secondary market. Check local train shows/meets.
I`m just starting to lay track on a 6x12 table , with all Marx hand and remote turn outs . Are insulated pins needed on Marx as well?
No. Marx remote turnouts receive all of their power from the transformer.
You can use finishing nails for track pins , just cut the tops off
Great tip! Thanks!
I am looking for O27 curved track for an American Flyer.
Do you mean Prewar O gauge American Flyer? Standard O gauge track by Lionel/Menards,etc will work.
Something ive figured out is 12 g copper wire is perfect for making new pins if you dont have any extras
Great tip!
You can also use nails, just cut the heads off
Did you have to file the jaws of the end nipper pliers to dull them so they wouldn't cut the track when you squeezed it?
Nope. Used them as-is. But I have arthritis so there's only so hard I can squeeze!
@@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm starting to get it in my left hand too.
Interesting. Did you grind the cutting edge off those nippers, or were they full to begin with?
For what it's worth, you can get nylon or plastic rod from online metals or other suppliers in whatever diameter you want very cheaply. That's a whole lot easier than trying to make your own pins with a 3D printer.
The nippers are as-is from Harbor Freight. Thanks for the tip regarding materials, but when I only need 4 or 5 pins for a project I can print them in less time and effort than ordering. But it is an option - thanks!
I’d give my left arm if someone started making 0 to 027 track mating pins again. I sold all of my Fastrak about 5 years ago and I have a lot of 027 track plus starting buying Menards O gauge track.
The workaround is to use O27 pins and jumper wires as required for power continuity. Shim the O27 track to match the height of the O. Thanks for watching!
Does anyone know where I can get new o-72 switches. I have a ton of old track from my dad and grandpa and don’t want to buy fast track
No one is currently manufacturing traditional tubular O or O27 turnouts. If you don't want FasTrack, you can try GarGraves or Ross Custom turnouts and use shims and transitions to your existing track. Or try to find good used O72 turnouts at a show, Trainz, eBay, etc.
This is a year after you asked but just in case- Menards just came out with 072 switches for $60 ea.
I have a question is there a way to straighten out curve tracks line out track I got a lot of curved tracks
EVERYBODY has a lot of curved tracks! It's probably POSSIBLE, but it's not easy or cheap. I'd just get the straight track you need
Never use steel wool to clean the rust off tracks!
Good tip.
Does anyone know what size connecting this o27 gauge takes outside diameter snd length istrack
Can you rephrase the question? I'm not certain what you are asking.
My top level is 027♐️👍
What?!? Lionel doesn't make tubular track any longer? What genius decided that was a good idea? Pfft.
Glad I bought boxes and boxes of both O and O27 for cheap at train shows over the years. Also a fairly good hoarde of mpc era remote switches off ebay in the early 2000's
Even in hobby shops the $1 a section track was a no brainer over Fastrack for $5 a section.
Glad to have 50+ yrs with Lionel. I'd hate to be just starting out.
what size table is your reversing loop on?
Phase 1 of the layout is roughly 5 x 12. The track plan of this section is a simple oval with twin diagonals across the center. Each of these diagonals creates a reverse loop. I can run outside only, "figure 8" or oval to loop in either direction.
🌈 𝐩𝓻Ỗ𝓂Ø𝓈Ｍ