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From: cb@hlwpc.UUCP (Carl Blesch)
Newsgroups: net.railroad
Subject: Need info - Lionel O, O27
Message-ID: <451@hlwpc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 16:33:26 EST
Article-I.D.: hlwpc.451
Posted: Wed Dec 19 16:33:26 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 20-Dec-84 05:29:06 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Short Hills, NJ
Lines: 40

I'm approaching the building of a Lionel empire for my son
"bass-ackwards," as they say, so I thought I'd solicit some
comments from Lionel experts on the net.

In some junk I weeded out of my parents' basement last year, I found
an old Lionel steam engine and power pack.  I have no idea where it
came from, 'cause I never owned Lionel.  (I owned an American Flyer set,
which my parents gave away when I grew up and "graduated" to HO.
I grieve every time I think of that, but I digress.  We all have our
"fish that got away" stories!)
Anyway, I thought I'd visit a local store that specializes in Lionel
(Millburn Train and Vacuum, for you northern New Jersey net readers)
and find out if I could build from there.  Turns out I can.  They
sell track, cars, locomotives and accessories by the piece.

Sooo, I decided to start by buying enough track to make an oval.
First question the clerk asked me -- "do you have O or O27?"  My reply,
"Huh?"  So he showed me both.  I liked O better.  Looked more rugged.
So I bought eight curves and four straight pieces.  $1.75 each, or
$20+ with tax.  Nice oval for under the Christmas tree this year,
and I can buy more track to expand it.

With fantasies of Jim Hill, the empire builder, I called the store
today and asked how much crossings and switches (turnouts) cost.
My concept -- about $10.  Store clerk:  "No way.  $57 for a reconditioned
switch."  Me: "Reconditioned?  How about new?"  Clerk: "You don't
want to know!"

So I'm wondering now -- is there a big price difference between
O and O27?  The clerk was busy with shoppers, so I couldn't talk
and price all the possible components and options I might have.
Also, I assume O27 is newer.  Are regular O accessories
(crossings, turnouts, and odd-pieces) going the way of the dinosaurs?
Are the two are compatible?  At first glance, it doesn't look
that way.  (Kind of like VHS and Beta videotape.  Both tapes are 1/2
inch wide, but the cassette dimensions aren't the same.)
Is O27 rugged enough for all practical purposes?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, tips and suggestions you may offer.
Carl Blesch