This type of educational video is great! After 50 years in HO, I'm interested in Lionel, but know very little about it. This could make an interesting series.
Thank you Andrew I felt I needed to cover it since it is a very confusing section when starting with Lionel. I would be happy to make more about starting in Lionel. Any other video ideas or questions I can answer?
Thanks Carson! I know there are a lot of folks out there who aren't sure what the difference is and you did a fine job clearing that up in a very concise way.
Nice video. A few "nits" to pick. 1) It's better to call O27 track "O27 profile" rather than O27 gauge, as "gauge" simply refers to the distance between outer rails, which is identical to standard O gauge - and because O27 profile track has been offered in different curve diameters, including O34 (Marx), O42, O54, and O72. 2) ALL F3's will operate on O27 track, and Lionel marketed some (usually single motor versions) as O27 items. 3) The differences between O and O27 have nothing to do with Magnatraction. It works on both types. 4) The 3-number vs. 4 number trick only works between 1949 and 1955. For example, the 221 steamer was for O27, the 2332 GG1 was for O. Various F3 and GP7/9s were offered as either O or O27 models and ALL had 4 digit numbers. By the mid-1950's, MANY O27 locomotives had 3 digit numbers (600 series NW2's, 200 series ALCOs, 200 series steamers, etc). In general, because of the many inconsistencies in Lionel's own marketing and production practices, it's better to keep it simple and just refer to O27 as the lower-profile, tighter radius track. Still - nice video. Keep up the good work!
Carson, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching your presentation on O vs.O27, it is history being revisited. I have been in the hobby since 1972 when my father and I got into it together (since I was a child and could not afford much). It is very refreshing to see younger people getting into post-war era models and not just the modern era models which are incredible, but they do lack something as beautiful as they are and that is a connection with our childhood. During the 1970's, one of my favorite rolling stock items was the crane car, how I loved playing with it. I can only imagine how much I would have, at that time in my life enjoyed playing with the modern era TMCC crane and boom car!!!! Of course technology would not have allowed it but, WOW!! Of course both of my parents are gone now and I have no children even though I still have a lot of trains which I inherited from my father (he sold the majority off before he passed away since I didn't have the space for all of his trains). Keep up this work, it means so much to so many of us, very refreshing. Have you gotten into any prewar?
Hey Ralph! Thank you for sharing how you got into it I loved reading this! The crane car is the best and I am happy that your still playing trains! Yes the technology these days is crazy! Sadly I don't have any prewar but I would love to get a 226e well simply it is a beautiful locomotive and second the red light under the boiler!
This was well done.For those of us who grew up with Lionel there was no confusion,however, it is easy to understand the puzzlement. This was needed,thank you !
You're good on most of your facts. The biggest difference in the two tracks is the profile and size of the rails. That said Lionel made the smaller track in radii up to 72" and switches with 42" curves. So it can be used on a larger layout and all locos regardless of size will run on it. (and the F3s will negotiate the smaller O27 curves.) As for the 6462 gongolas they were sold as "near scale" as were the 6464 box cars. And the 6462s were standard in many O27 sets such as the 1503WS. Most of the smaller gons were earlier production but remained in the line for scout sets and the lower end sets. Good job
Excellent tutorial video. I am a retired guy just getting into model railroading. Due to space limitations I have purchased Marx & Lionel O-27 rolling stock. This video answered many of my questions. Thanks and keep more O-27 information coming. I am Bill in Columbus, Ohio.
Marc's track had five ties per piece Lionel had three. Any less and the track would fall apart. He watched an American Flyer TV commercial where they scrunched a section of Lionel track and he ordered the production of Super O speeded up without proper development. The track itself is okay but the switches had a tendency to lock in place and Catch Fire not something you wanted to have happen in your basement.
Thank you so much. I was in the middle of bidding on a 2500 series passenger set for my 027 layout! Your video put the skids on that transaction and a costly mistake. J.C.
Good comparison! I have already filmed an O Gauge vs O Scale video I just need to edit it. Before my video starts, I’ll mention this video so folks can understand the difference between O Gauge and O 27 as well!
Very nice video Carson- many of these items are not known by model railroaders, even those who have been in the hobby for some time. Keep the videos coming!
Thanks for your work on this Mr. Carson. Having stated that none of the F-3s operate on 027 track, what did Lionel do with the Texas Special 2245 F3 to enable it to negotiate an 027 curve? The 2245 was cataloged as an 027 set.
VERY GOOD VIDEO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIBERS I APPRECIATE YOU AND IT I WAS GIVEN A LIONEL BICENTENNIAL SET FOR MY 15TH BIRTHDAY FROM MY GRANDPARENTS I STILL HAVE THEM IN MY BASEMENT STILL FUNCTIONING AND NEAT TO LOOK AT I AM HAPPY FOR THEM TO BE AROUND MY BASEMENT STILL I GOT THEM AT 15 1 TURNED 59 LAST JULY AND I APPRECIATE THEM STILL VERY MUCH AS YOU DO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIBERS VERY INTERESTING AND IMPRESSIVE AS WELL JIM KAMMERER OF PHILADELPHIA PA THANKS AGAIN 👍👍👌👌👌👌😇
One more, the 6462 Gondola was one of the first injected molded cars Lionel produced after WW2 and was included in almost all O27 sets after 1950, such as the 1503WS from 1953-54. My information comes from Greensberg’s guide to Lionel trains 1945-1969, it’s a wealth of information on post war Lionel
When Lionel discontinued standard gauge he used the larger Rail and the larger ties to the 031 and he could charge more and because people accepted it even though it was ridiculously out of scale. The 027 lower profile track was much more scale and proportion. Frankly the 031 style track is so ridiculously out of proportion it looks so bad.
Just got back into it again at 60. Flea markets and eBay. Kids in their 20s thought I was losing it. They couldn’t keep their hands off of it at Christmas 🎅
I always wondered where the e unit of Lionel came from. I had come across some older Marklin engines and was puzzled over the directional control unit used in light of the existence of the Lionel type of e unit. Now I realize the patent ownership by Lionel.
Thanks for the numbering information. However the point to consider between 027 031 034 036 042 056 072 etc. Is the tightness of the curve and in that respect will the train engine or rail car allow itself to go around that curve, without falling off the track.
Thank you for making this video, however there is one thing that I want to point out. This is concerning Marx track. Marx did put O27 track into most of there train sets, however Marx also made O34 track. It is the same height as O27, but made a 34 inch circle. they used this track in their deluxe sets. I used O34 on my layout which can be found on my channel. I will reserve my comment about the "dime train set" thing. At least you said that Marx is great, which I totally agree with.
Nice video and I never knew lionel bought any other company. The older red caboose in the opening I have a much more worn one sitting on my layout. Pretty cool. Thanks for posting this valuable video. New subscriber here!
Thank you Dennis for subscribing! Yes they have almost the whole O gauge market at the moment. The PRR tin caboose? It is very cool but they aren't too hard to find.
@@carsonsogaugetrains My dad found my tin caboose at a garage sale in the spring. I thought it was old but it's just in old condition. Still kinda cool to have decorating on my layout.
"O-27 profile" would be a little less confusing, in my opinion. Personally am a big fan of O-27 whatever you wanna call it, lets you have a more complex layout in a given amount of space than O-31. True, you aren't going to be running the likes of a Big Boy on it, but I do run a couple Railking 4-8-4's that cope quite well, a Berkshire Jr. and Mikado Jr., plus a classic 2020 turbine. Plenty big enough for me. Keep hearing whispers Lionel intends to start making O-27 again, I certainly hope it's true as I'd like to get some new remote switches and operating tracks.
I once had a basement full of Lionel trains. A family, and other lifestyle changes made the hobby impractical. Waay out of my budget now. It sure was alot of fun tho.
I feel your experience. I lost both of my parents and went through an unwanted divorce, it seems like my world fell apart. We had no children so I have a collection but no one to share it with as I live in an area where model railroading is non-existent.
@@carsonsogaugetrains I really appreciate your vids! It was tough to let my collection go. But gotta do what ya gotta do. Times were tough then for many where I lived due to factory closures. So I was far from alone.
Good explanation. Wish I had seen this before I started buying track and trains. I’m afraid I now have a mixture of oh scale, trains and buildings and oh gauge and oh 27 gauge track at least after your explanation, I may be able to separate everything out. Still have a big question about scale.
Do you have any super O track? I'm curious how it goes together but I can't find any information on it. I don't know the radius or how it pieces together.
Super O uses similar rails to American Flyer S gauge track, a thin brass center rail, and moulded plastic ties. Super O was available only with O36 (1' 6" diameter) curves. Had Lionel released it much earlier (developed in 1951, but not released until 1957) and offered a wider variety of curve sizes, it could have been the perfect 3-rail O gauge track on the market.
Enjoyed this video Carson. So, just to confirm, I have alot of Lionel rolling stock and steam locomotives from the 1950's. All my 027 gage track was bad, so threw it out. I want to run my childhood 027 engines and rolling stock along with the newer Lionel, MTH, Menard's engines and rolling stock. Can I use Lionel's O gage tublier track, or fast track, Atlas track and so on? I want to be able to have a minimum 031 or 048 curves, and use my old equipment and the newest equipment.
FIRST - it is zero gauge not "oh" gauge. 2ND - there is a drastic height difference from 0 gauge and 027. 0 gauge has bigger ties and taller rails. the BIG difference between 0 & 027 is the tightened curve of 027 (27 inch circumference.) and 3RD - good information about the freight cars.
Oh a long car does not always mean it is the full O gauge or full O scale, nor a short one is always O-27 sized. But a shorter car will look better on the tighter curves, and the long ones look wonderful on the wider curves.
O27 Track is O Gauge same as O. O is not scale track. The main difference as you point out is the profile and the size of the actual rails. O track scales out to 30 inches tall in the real world. Hardly scale, O27 comes in at 18”, still tall but a lot closer to reality. O27/was made in radii up to 72” and both Lionel and K line made 43” radius turnouts. Magna traction works on both any steel rail track. Marx made 34” curves. The F3s will run on O27 track contrary to belief and later versions were released in O27 sets. The locos released in both 3 & 4 digit numbers such as the 671 and 2020 were identical except for the numbers. This was done, I believe, so Lionel could control their inventories to be sure they had the correct number of locos to make up the sets. I have used O27 for art least 4 different layouts and will only use O27. The trains run well on it, even the big ones like my GG1 and my 726 Berkshire, and they look better sitting on the smaller profile rails. I don’t treat my smaller boxcars like the 6014s and others like they are a different scale and it gripes me when many people do. Box cars came in different sizes and some old 36’ boxcars lasted into the 60s and later. Even the 6464 boxcars were “near scale” not true O scale. O27 is just another style of track like Super O or the old T rail track and should not be treated differently. That said, thanks for a good video.
The older American made Lionel track is better than the crap they have made in China. I made an outdoor layout with a mix of new Chinese track and old American-made track and the Chinese track turned black and crumbled in a year it lost its electrical conductivity long before that. The fast track is an Abomination as well. Not even a true shaped rail just an extrusion that's not even stainless. The MTH solid rail roadbed track was the best track that anybody had for both conductivity and appearance. With it being solid brass it was sturdy as well as being able to hold up to humidity that would destroy regular track. But just like right now MTH cheapening it's line of track so the track is no longer solid rail but is hollow template style which sucks
A long-needed video for those new to the hobby, and even those old school modelers like me. Well done Carson!
Thank you Paul I feel that to get new guys in we need to teach them everything about Lionel!
This type of educational video is great! After 50 years in HO, I'm interested in Lionel, but know very little about it. This could make an interesting series.
Thank you Andrew I felt I needed to cover it since it is a very confusing section when starting with Lionel. I would be happy to make more about starting in Lionel. Any other video ideas or questions I can answer?
When I started with O trains I became totally confused why some cars were out of scale with others. Now I understand. Thank you.
Thanks Carson! I know there are a lot of folks out there who aren't sure what the difference is and you did a fine job clearing that up in a very concise way.
Thanks Tiny Town Trains!
@@carsonsogaugetrains Have an incredible day, today! T4
Nice video. A few "nits" to pick. 1) It's better to call O27 track "O27 profile" rather than O27 gauge, as "gauge" simply refers to the distance between outer rails, which is identical to standard O gauge - and because O27 profile track has been offered in different curve diameters, including O34 (Marx), O42, O54, and O72. 2) ALL F3's will operate on O27 track, and Lionel marketed some (usually single motor versions) as O27 items. 3) The differences between O and O27 have nothing to do with Magnatraction. It works on both types. 4) The 3-number vs. 4 number trick only works between 1949 and 1955. For example, the 221 steamer was for O27, the 2332 GG1 was for O. Various F3 and GP7/9s were offered as either O or O27 models and ALL had 4 digit numbers. By the mid-1950's, MANY O27 locomotives had 3 digit numbers (600 series NW2's, 200 series ALCOs, 200 series steamers, etc). In general, because of the many inconsistencies in Lionel's own marketing and production practices, it's better to keep it simple and just refer to O27 as the lower-profile, tighter radius track. Still - nice video. Keep up the good work!
Well done Carson, informative jovial and friendly. Good to see a young man interested in vintage trains.
Thank you Matt! I just do what I love and what I think feels right for me for making videos.
Carson, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching your presentation on O vs.O27, it is history being revisited. I have been in the hobby since 1972 when my father and I got into it together (since I was a child and could not afford much). It is very refreshing to see younger people getting into post-war era models and not just the modern era models which are incredible, but they do lack something as beautiful as they are and that is a connection with our childhood. During the 1970's, one of my favorite rolling stock items was the crane car, how I loved playing with it. I can only imagine how much I would have, at that time in my life enjoyed playing with the modern era TMCC crane and boom car!!!! Of course technology would not have allowed it but, WOW!! Of course both of my parents are gone now and I have no children even though I still have a lot of trains which I inherited from my father (he sold the majority off before he passed away since I didn't have the space for all of his trains). Keep up this work, it means so much to so many of us, very refreshing. Have you gotten into any prewar?
Hey Ralph! Thank you for sharing how you got into it I loved reading this! The crane car is the best and I am happy that your still playing trains! Yes the technology these days is crazy! Sadly I don't have any prewar but I would love to get a 226e well simply it is a beautiful locomotive and second the red light under the boiler!
Nice to read, thank you
This was well done.For those of us who grew up with Lionel there was no confusion,however, it is easy to understand the puzzlement. This was needed,thank you !
Thank you! Your quite welcome I was happy to answer your questions! I plan to do more in the future to help new people get into the world of Lionel!
You're good on most of your facts. The biggest difference in the two tracks is the profile and size of the rails. That said Lionel made the smaller track in radii up to 72" and switches with 42" curves. So it can be used on a larger layout and all locos regardless of size will run on it. (and the F3s will negotiate the smaller O27 curves.) As for the 6462 gongolas they were sold as "near scale" as were the 6464 box cars. And the 6462s were standard in many O27 sets such as the 1503WS. Most of the smaller gons were earlier production but remained in the line for scout sets and the lower end sets. Good job
Excellent tutorial video. I am a retired guy just getting into model railroading. Due to space limitations I have purchased Marx & Lionel O-27 rolling stock. This video answered many of my questions. Thanks and keep more O-27 information coming. I am Bill in Columbus, Ohio.
Fantastic clearly presented video that the YT algo should put in everyone's train feed ! Thanks for posting this !!!
I was Kinda Confused With If O Guage trains Can go on O27 Track, But You Helped Me with That problem, So Thanks A lot!
Im glad to see a new generation in the electric model train hobby 🎉
A question that very many have? Nicely answered.
Marc's track had five ties per piece Lionel had three. Any less and the track would fall apart. He watched an American Flyer TV commercial where they scrunched a section of Lionel track and he ordered the production of Super O speeded up without proper development. The track itself is okay but the switches had a tendency to lock in place and Catch Fire not something you wanted to have happen in your basement.
Dude….one hell of a great overview of the issue!
Thank you so much. I was in the middle of bidding on a 2500 series passenger set for my 027 layout! Your video put the skids on that transaction and a costly mistake. J.C.
Good comparison! I have already filmed an O Gauge vs O Scale video I just need to edit it. Before my video starts, I’ll mention this video so folks can understand the difference between O Gauge and O 27 as well!
Thank you Sam Thank you can't wait to see your video!
Very informative video. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. Keep up the great work.
Nice layout. I like the smaller cars because my layout is small, they look better. Enjoyed your video.
Thank you for doing a good job on explaining track differences.
Your welcome thank you for watching!
Very nice video Carson- many of these items are not known by model railroaders, even those who have been in the hobby for some time. Keep the videos coming!
Thank you Joe! Will do!
Did not know this thanks for the information Frend.
Good work, thanks. I learnt heaps! Keep em coming.
Thanks, will do!
Thank You. Very informative.
Thanks for your work on this Mr. Carson. Having stated that none of the F-3s operate on 027 track, what did Lionel do with the Texas Special 2245 F3 to enable it to negotiate an 027 curve? The 2245 was cataloged as an 027 set.
im a noobie just trying to upgrade the old lionel set my father gave me from his childhood. thanks for the info
Thank you for posting
You do a nice job with editing and graphics. Very nicely done!
Thank you Mark! Just want to keep the video entertaining so im not just sitting their talking about stuff.
Great info, THANKS for sharing!
VERY GOOD VIDEO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIBERS I APPRECIATE YOU AND IT I WAS GIVEN A LIONEL BICENTENNIAL SET FOR MY 15TH BIRTHDAY FROM MY GRANDPARENTS I STILL HAVE THEM IN MY BASEMENT STILL FUNCTIONING AND NEAT TO LOOK AT I AM HAPPY FOR THEM TO BE AROUND MY BASEMENT STILL I GOT THEM AT 15 1 TURNED 59 LAST JULY AND I APPRECIATE THEM STILL VERY MUCH AS YOU DO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIBERS VERY INTERESTING AND IMPRESSIVE AS WELL JIM KAMMERER OF PHILADELPHIA PA THANKS AGAIN 👍👍👌👌👌👌😇
Great job Carson. I learned a lot. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!
From another old timer thank you and new sub.
One more, the 6462 Gondola was one of the first injected molded cars Lionel produced after WW2 and was included in almost all O27 sets after 1950, such as the 1503WS from 1953-54. My information comes from Greensberg’s guide to Lionel trains 1945-1969, it’s a wealth of information on post war Lionel
When Lionel discontinued standard gauge he used the larger Rail and the larger ties to the 031 and he could charge more and because people accepted it even though it was ridiculously out of scale. The 027 lower profile track was much more scale and proportion. Frankly the 031 style track is so ridiculously out of proportion it looks so bad.
Just got back into it again at 60. Flea markets and eBay. Kids in their 20s thought I was losing it. They couldn’t keep their hands off of it at Christmas 🎅
I always wondered where the e unit of Lionel came from. I had come across some older Marklin engines and was puzzled over the directional control unit used in light of the existence of the Lionel type of e unit. Now I realize the patent ownership by Lionel.
Great video!
Thanks for the video. Very well done. Good sound. You can use some more lighting. Very informative video. Thank you.
Thanks for the numbering information. However the point to consider between 027 031 034 036 042 056 072 etc. Is the tightness of the curve and in that respect will the train engine or rail car allow itself to go around that curve, without falling off the track.
Thank you for making this video, however there is one thing that I want to point out. This is concerning Marx track. Marx did put O27 track into most of there train sets, however Marx also made O34 track. It is the same height as O27, but made a 34 inch circle. they used this track in their deluxe sets. I used O34 on my layout which can be found on my channel. I will reserve my comment about the "dime train set" thing. At least you said that Marx is great, which I totally agree with.
Your welcome and thank you for correcting me about that note! I will take a look at that. Yes I quite like Marx's trains!
Marx made great switches at an affordable orientation vacation in the day !
Thank you for a excellent explanation.
No problem I am happy I could help!
Nice video and I never knew lionel bought any other company. The older red caboose in the opening I have a much more worn one sitting on my layout. Pretty cool. Thanks for posting this valuable video.
New subscriber here!
Thank you Dennis for subscribing! Yes they have almost the whole O gauge market at the moment. The PRR tin caboose? It is very cool but they aren't too hard to find.
@@carsonsogaugetrains My dad found my tin caboose at a garage sale in the spring. I thought it was old but it's just in old condition. Still kinda cool to have decorating on my layout.
Good Stuff, brother
"O-27 profile" would be a little less confusing, in my opinion. Personally am a big fan of O-27 whatever you wanna call it, lets you have a more complex layout in a given amount of space than O-31.
True, you aren't going to be running the likes of a Big Boy on it, but I do run a couple Railking 4-8-4's that cope quite well, a Berkshire Jr. and Mikado Jr., plus a classic 2020 turbine. Plenty big enough for me.
Keep hearing whispers Lionel intends to start making O-27 again, I certainly hope it's true as I'd like to get some new remote switches and operating tracks.
I once had a basement full of Lionel trains. A family, and other lifestyle changes made the hobby impractical. Waay out of my budget now. It sure was alot of fun tho.
I feel your experience. I lost both of my parents and went through an unwanted divorce, it seems like my world fell apart. We had no children so I have a collection but no one to share it with as I live in an area where model railroading is non-existent.
Im so sorry to hear that Ralph. We got you here online to share it with!
Yes I get that you gotta pay for bills and that is why I stick to the older stuff!
@@carsonsogaugetrains I really appreciate your vids! It was tough to let my collection go. But gotta do what ya gotta do. Times were tough then for many where I lived due to factory closures. So I was far from alone.
how would I know what track is needed for a Lionel 685 train? surprising my dad and want to get him working track for this... thank you!
Good explanation. Wish I had seen this before I started buying track and trains. I’m afraid I now have a mixture of oh scale, trains and buildings and oh gauge and oh 27 gauge track at least after your explanation, I may be able to separate everything out. Still have a big question about scale.
Well spoken! Thx!
I have a 027 marx train will it work on the Lionel 027.gauge track my marx trains are from 1970 I received this train set for Christmas in 1970
Are there identical O and O27 cars and if yes, which would be more valuable?
Excellent I just subscribed
Great video
Thanks for sharing.
Do you have any super O track? I'm curious how it goes together but I can't find any information on it. I don't know the radius or how it pieces together.
Super O uses similar rails to American Flyer S gauge track, a thin brass center rail, and moulded plastic ties. Super O was available only with O36 (1' 6" diameter) curves. Had Lionel released it much earlier (developed in 1951, but not released until 1957) and offered a wider variety of curve sizes, it could have been the perfect 3-rail O gauge track on the market.
Enjoyed this video Carson. So, just to confirm, I have alot of Lionel rolling stock and steam locomotives from the 1950's. All my 027 gage track was bad, so threw it out. I want to run my childhood 027 engines and rolling stock along with the newer Lionel, MTH, Menard's engines and rolling stock. Can I use Lionel's O gage tublier track, or fast track, Atlas track and so on? I want to be able to have a minimum 031 or 048 curves, and use my old equipment and the newest equipment.
Yes any of those types of track will work with your locomotives. Thank you!
Thank you!
027 gauge is actually "S" gauge rolling stock that runs on "O" gauge track
Thank you
Carson may I ask what is the name of the song used in the intro i’ve heard this several times in I love toy trains and I enjoy it.
It is the theme used for TM Books and Video's Toy Train Revue Series that they did from the early-to-mid 90s.
Wait! I though the number after the "O" like O27 meant the diameter of the curved track?
Good comparison O-27 vs O gauge vs O scale (3rd and 2nd rail)
Thank you!
Will the Lionel train that comes with the Pennsylvania keystone special aka the one in my pfp be able to run on this track?
It would run on it definitely!
Hey are you still making videos??? I have questions, just getting into with with my kids
At the moment no I am not making new videos. I have been very busy with work and taking a quick break from O gauge.
FIRST - it is zero gauge not "oh" gauge. 2ND - there is a drastic height difference from 0 gauge and 027. 0 gauge has bigger ties and taller rails. the BIG difference between 0 & 027 is the tightened curve of 027 (27 inch circumference.) and 3RD - good information about the freight cars.
Good info !
Question will marx 027 trains run on the Lionel 027.gauge
Yes they will.
actually the streamlined passenger cars will run on o-27 track
Oh a long car does not always mean it is the full O gauge or full O scale, nor a short one is always O-27 sized. But a shorter car will look better on the tighter curves, and the long ones look wonderful on the wider curves.
A big boy will run on O-27?? I know what I'm getting for my birthday
I like my 027 Track.I Lashup big trsins on my Railroad
O27 Track is O Gauge same as O. O is not scale track. The main difference as you point out is the profile and the size of the actual rails. O track scales out to 30 inches tall in the real world. Hardly scale, O27 comes in at 18”, still tall but a lot closer to reality. O27/was made in radii up to 72” and both Lionel and K line made 43” radius turnouts. Magna traction works on both any steel rail track. Marx made 34” curves. The F3s will run on O27 track contrary to belief and later versions were released in O27 sets. The locos released in both 3 & 4 digit numbers such as the 671 and 2020 were identical except for the numbers. This was done, I believe, so Lionel could control their inventories to be sure they had the correct number of locos to make up the sets. I have used O27 for art least 4 different layouts and will only use O27. The trains run well on it, even the big ones like my GG1 and my 726 Berkshire, and they look better sitting on the smaller profile rails. I don’t treat my smaller boxcars like the 6014s and others like they are a different scale and it gripes me when many people do. Box cars came in different sizes and some old 36’ boxcars lasted into the 60s and later. Even the 6464 boxcars were “near scale” not true O scale. O27 is just another style of track like Super O or the old T rail track and should not be treated differently. That said, thanks for a good video.
Stay with it son
You got it will do!
What about Super O...
That is a good point. Hmm maybe a video idea for the future.
I'm not gonna question how I got my pop pops train master to run on 0-27 Xmas magic lol
It could do it has blind flanges on the 3rd axle of each truck.
@@carsonsogaugetrainsI think I meant the smaller 0-27 track. The bigger ones from the 50's It takes fine
@@ReadingAreaRailfan Ah gotcha than yes the O Gauge tublar track will work just fine with the GG1. O27 It will have trouble on.
@@carsonsogaugetrains the trainmaster runs on both, but I trust the older tubular 0-27
The older American made Lionel track is better than the crap they have made in China. I made an outdoor layout with a mix of new Chinese track and old American-made track and the Chinese track turned black and crumbled in a year it lost its electrical conductivity long before that. The fast track is an Abomination as well. Not even a true shaped rail just an extrusion that's not even stainless. The MTH solid rail roadbed track was the best track that anybody had for both conductivity and appearance. With it being solid brass it was sturdy as well as being able to hold up to humidity that would destroy regular track. But just like right now MTH cheapening it's line of track so the track is no longer solid rail but is hollow template style which sucks
Great video
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you