027 and long trains (12 cars, say)

Wider radius always is better unless you're pressed for room or like your trains to look like they're turning a corner.  I prefer 54" radius in O27 track.

What, me worry?

Wider radius is always better and will allow for longer trains. My dad was amazed when running his old 2035 on my layout with O gauge O-42 curves. It was pulling 18 feet of rolling stock.

If truly stuck on O-27 profile track, take a look for Marx O-34 track.

I opted to use Lionel 022 switches (O-31) when building my layout because I had a couple dozen of them lying around. Now I wish I had bitten the bullet and bought Gargraves O-42 switches to start with. 

Stringlining is much more an issue when using older (Postwar or older) cars that are heavy and have high rolling resistance. It was happening to me with long-ish consists so I started buying MPC rolling stock. Now I pull 40 cars up hills and around curves with no problem. 

Good luck!

CoastsideKevin posted:

I opted to use Lionel 022 switches (O-31) when building my layout because I had a couple dozen of them lying around. Now I wish I had bitten the bullet and bought Gargraves O-42 switches to start with. 

Stringlining is much more an issue when using older (Postwar or older) cars that are heavy and have high rolling resistance. It was happening to me with long-ish consists so I started buying MPC rolling stock. Now I pull 40 cars up hills and around curves with no problem. 

Good luck!

 

Cool! All my rolling stock is MPC and later

!

They do, or did, make 027 track in 072 curves.  I have some in use, it may be K Line, not certain, right now.  Use Gargraves switches with correct conversion pins for 027 track, you will like it.  For my Lionel PW rolling stock, and engines, I use a synthetic auto product called "Prolong".  It works great, several PW engines, steamers (2035, 2036, 2046, 2055, 2056, etc.) all coast for over 10" where they used to come to a pretty much dead stop when power is cut.  Use it on all my stuff, including non-train items around the house.  Oh, also in the cars.

Jesse   TCA  12-68275

Definitely doable:

(outer circle is 42" O-27)

The secret to avoiding stringlining in longer consists is a) scrupulous maintenance (make sure the wheels and axles are adequately clean and lubed)  and b) put the heaviest/most drag-prone rolling stock at the very front of the consist, so as not to act as an anchor.

Have fun! 

Mitch 

Texastrain,

Getting back to the Prolong product you talked about above, is that an engine treatment? Do you mix it with motor oil? I googled it and that's what came up.

Here's a picture of my PW 2343 set pulling 11 PW cars.  While I use 42" when possible you can see that I used O27 27" switches.  You'll also notice that I used 27" curves in the back section too.

Absolutely zero issues with 27" curves and the PW train.

- walt

Walt,

That is a great looking layout. Thanks for sharing. It shows the great results that are possible with 027 track.