On Sun, 30 Nov 2003 10:55:57 -0500, Edmund Bedsworth wrote:
=>Folks --
=>
=>I have 4 sets of O scale (possibly O27) Lionel trains mostly from the
=>60s and 70s. I would like to replace my track. I'm confused and want
=>to make sure that I get the correct track. Based on the research I have
=>found the difference between O and O27 track is the tightness of the
=>curves (O27 making a cirle in 27" versus 31" at the smallest for O). I
=>have some longer than normal cars - such as a car carrier - so I'm
=>assuming I should get O gauge track and not O27. Any thing else I
=>should explore?
=>
=>Thanks!
=>Ed
=>
You're confused because of Lionel's wierd naming of parts. The gauge
(distance between the rails) of Lionel track is all the same - 32mm or
1-1/4". Lionel used various names to denote the curve radii of their
sectional track. Besides "O gauge" and "O-27" there's also "O-72", whose
radius is 36" - still pretty tight for O scale size stuff, actually. O-72 is
also heavier, better built track, than the old O-27.
Investigate Gargraves track. It accepts all Lionel equipment very well, and
since it includes curvable track, you can use any radius you like. As a
general rule, use the largest possible radius for curves - the bigger the
circle, the better your equipment will run. Gragraves looks, good too - it
has wooden ties spaced like the real thing.
HTH
Wolf Kirchmeir
.................................
If you didn't want to go to Chicago, why did you get on this train?
(Garrison Keillor)
<just one w and plain ca for correct address>