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From: friedman@uiucdcs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.railroad
Subject: Re: Need info - Lionel O, O27
Message-ID: <20600025@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Dec-84 09:55:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.20600025
Posted: Thu Dec 27 09:55:00 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Dec-84 02:49:17 EST
References: <451@hlwpc.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:hlwpc:-45100:uiucdcs:20600025:000:2118
Nf-From: uiucdcs!friedman    Dec 27 08:55:00 1984


Re. Lionel O vs. O27:

Both "gauges" are pretty old.  They have the same nominal scale (O), and
the same track gauge (distance between rails).  They differ in the diameter
of a track circle, in the rail height, and in other details such as the one
you noted: ruggedness.  They also differ somewhat in price.  In all cases,
O is larger.  It is not usually practical to mix the two forms in one layout;
they do not connect together very well.  The name "O27" comes from the diameter
of a track circle, 27 inches; I think O has a 31 inch circle.  There is also a
variation, sometimes called "O72", compatible with O in every way, having a 72
inch circle; it can be used with O to make gentler, more realistic curves, but
of course that makes the layout less compact.

Be aware that the larger pieces of the old rolling stock, especially engines,
were designed for either O or O27, and don't necessarily run as well on the
other track.  For example, an engine designed for O might not clear the housing
on an O27 track switch, and one designed for O27 might not clear some between-
the-rails stuff on O track; I have samples of both problems on my Lionel
collection, most of which dates from the 1950s.  I'm not sure whether the more
recent Lionel rolling stock has this problem.  A Lionel expert (that salesman,
perhaps) should be able to tell you from the engine's number or from inspecting
it whether it's "old" Lionel or the newer "Fundimensions" Lionel product, and
which gauge it was designed for.

Track switches come in two forms for each gauge:  manual and automatic.  The
automatic feature solenoids that control the switch from wherever you choose
to mount the toggle; most also have insulated sections of one of the outer
rails wired so that if a train approaches a converging switch set against it,
the switch is thrown automatically.  Manual is of course a lot cheaper, but
neither form is cheap.

There are some non-Lionel three-rail tracks available in hobby shops that
are compatible.  Most are more realistic looking.  I don't know how they
compare in price, nor how they perform; I've never used them.