Am I in the right spot

First off, do you mean a 2016 locomotive, not a 1016.  1016 is not a legit Lionel number.  The difference of 0 & 027 track primarily is the height of the rails.  027 stands 7/16” tall; 0 track is 11/16” tall.  The ties on 027 are squared off edges/ rectangular.  The 0 ties have a rolled edge the length of each tie.  

Typically the locomotives with 4 digits; 2016, 2037, etc. are considered 027 sets.  The locos with only 3 digits are for 0 gauge track.  It means, some 0 locos will not run smoothly on 027 track, but all locos will run on 0 track, because of the height of the rails.  That’s the simple answer.

Thanks., Actually neither I mis remembered the Locomotive number  .  it is #1061
As for track I measured three sections from flat surface to top of rail, averaging 0.396 .  7/16 is 0.4375, and 11/16 0.685  so I suppose I was incorrect in guessing O gauge...and actually I have the "correct" 027 gauge track that seems to be listed with the train set I think I have.

Sounds like you have Lionel O gauge.

Aside from that, welcome to the forum; the gents here will help you with any train issue; their information is priceless!

Here is what the 027 and 0 tracks look like, if you are using old tubular track.

O27 track it is then...the measurement bares that out as well as the flat tie.
 I also put 8 corner pieces together and yup 27" diameter give or take. 

I'll start a new thread now that Ive confirmed what i have and that Im in the right forum location for the discussion.
It'll be rather underwhelming stuff for you all compared to the set up's and info I've seen here so far and the level of knowledge. 

Thanks all....

I think the O27 also has brown ties and the O has black ties. Not sure how far back this goes though or if it's always been that way? I am not much of a Lionel historian and know a bit more about MTH than I do Lionel. But, I seem to recall my LHS telling me this a few years ago. 

The sizes as mentioned above are definitely for the entire time so you can't go wrong there.

rtr12 posted:

I think the O27 also has brown ties...

Only after 1969. Black or silver/pewter galvanized before then.

welcome to the forum. Could this be your locomotive? I don't see a 1061

ADCX Rob posted:

rtr12 posted:

I think the O27 also has brown ties...

Only after 1969. Black or silver/pewter galvanized before then.

Thanks Rob! I was wondering about that and it's good to know.  It amazes me how you guys can keep track of all this stuff! 

Steamer posted:

welcome to the forum. Could this be your locomotive? I don't see a 1061

 

Thanks
But yes, definitely a 1061 https://ogrforum.com/...te-parts-and-repairs

rtr12 posted:

ADCX Rob posted:

rtr12 posted:

I think the O27 also has brown ties...

Only after 1969. Black or silver/pewter galvanized before then.

Thanks Rob! I was wondering about that and it's good to know.  It amazes me how you guys can keep track of all this stuff! 

I was surprised when I heard that O27 had brown ties. I inherited my grandfather's PW O27 collection, and all his track had black or gray ties. Then, I bought some new track, it was indeed brown.  One of those many inconsistencies in this hobby.

rtr12 posted:

I think the O27 also has brown ties and the O has black ties. Not sure how far back this goes though or if it's always been that way? I am not much of a Lionel historian and know a bit more about MTH than I do Lionel. But, I seem to recall my LHS telling me this a few years ago. 

The sizes as mentioned above are definitely for the entire time so you can't go wrong there.

The track I have from the "original" set, original meaning what I got from my mother when she decided it should go to me has black ties.
Many years later, I bought two long straight sections in order to make the Christmas tree oval a bit longer,  those have brown ties.. Perhaps not Lionel originals but reproduction after market? 

This is probably the model which he is referring to (I think);

Penn-Pacific posted:

This is probably the model which he is referring to (I think);

 

That is close, but it is a 0-4-0 
Mine is a 2-4-2

E.Marquez posted:

The track I have from the "original" set, original meaning what I got from my mother when she decided it should go to me has black ties.
Many years later, I bought two long straight sections in order to make the Christmas tree oval a bit longer,  those have brown ties.. Perhaps not Lionel originals but reproduction after market? 

No, not repro, Lionel & K-Line both made original production cataloged 35" straight sections.

Rob clarified my post about the brown ties time frame above: "Only after 1969. Black or silver/pewter galvanized before then."

Also, see both posts above from ADCX Rob about the time frames for the brown ties and 35" straight sections. He's way ahead of me on these things. I have only been back in the hobby since 2011 and I don't remember a lot about the trains I had in the late '50s - early '60s as a kid. Still learning myself and things have really changed!