022 switch/054 radius post war track question

I have a bunch of old 022 switches.  They are 31" diameter.  Your 54" RADIUS is 108" diameter.  I suspect you mean O-54, which was 54" diameter.  I know of no way to convert these switches to a wider radius.  They were also made in a 72" diameter (O-72) curve, but these are relatively scarce and expensive.

I doubt that an O-54 minimum loco would navigate them reliabily.

You might want to look at Ross Custom switches and see what they have for an 054 switch.

Your 022 switches( has an 031 curve) won't work with something that needs 054 curves, the engine will go through the straight track of the switch but that's all. I am not sure but I don't think that Lionel made an 054 switch.

Lee Fritz

Thanks all for your help.

Jerry 

During the postwar era (1945-1969) Lionel made "027," "O" and "072" track and switches. "054" track and switches were introduced in the 1980's (by K-Line, I think) when operators wanted more options for building layouts.

 As RJR and phillyreading posted, Lionel 022 switches have 31" curves. That is too tight for locomotives that require 54" diameter curves. There isn't any way to convert them, as RJR posted.

Ross Custom Switches work well.

If you have room, "072" track and switches will run just about anything in 3-rail "O" Gauge. Lionel "072" switches for postwar "O" Gauge track are expensive, but other brands will work, too.

One option is Lionel FasTrack "060" and "072" switches. They are non-derailing and just about bulletproof. Transition sections will mate with Lionel "O" Gauge track.

Another option is Gargraves o-54 switches with DZ1000 switch motors.  About the lowest priced remote switch.